Ever Exciting

We're at 23 weeks along and Gillian is on bed rest. Our house still has many many bins to be unpacked, furniture to be purchased, repairs to be made, and some painting projects, but all that is on hold for a bit. Not only is Gillian newly on bed rest, but this is also the first week of school for the boys. So, for this week we're just focusing on getting them up and running. Once we figure out how this all works, we will get to nesting again...or at least Justin will.

As we've gone from doctor visit to doctor visit, and now with preterm contractions, we have said several times how thankful we are to be back home where we understand the language and health care system.

We are also thankful for the home that the Lord provided for us just 2 blocks from our church. Justin's family and our church family have already been able to help us. We already have arrangements for the boys to be picked up from school, as well as offers for books and meals.

Neither of us has ever been very good at receiving help - we always feel more comfortable on the giving side of things. But our time as missionaries (receiving in order to give), and now this fragile pregnancy that has leant itself to a very long season of receiving has stretched and humbled us. So many people in Peru and in the US have shown us the essence of service. They have given so freely and generously, it has amazed us. Thank you. We look forward to the day that we can pay it forward - that our ministry can again turn outward again and we can walk out the example so many have set for us.

In the mean time, we're doing well. Justin is employed, we're in our home, and getting settled. On bed rest the contractions seem to have settled down without medicines so far. Thank you for praying for our little family. Please remember to be in touch and let us know what we can pray for in your world!

In Christ,

The Brickeys

Busy and Getting Settled

Our last newsletter is slow in coming due technical difficulties. The printer we ordered was a lemon, so we had to send it back. Then our main computer (the one with all of our past newsletters and contact lists), started having major problems. Dell sent tech support that spent 4 hours breaking it even more - with a few screws left over to prove it. So now we're awaiting a whole new computer. Thank God for waranties! So, all that to say, we will get out a newsletter when we can.

UPDATE:

Justin is employed - YAY! He's been working for about 4 weeks now.

We bought a house - YAY! It's a little fixer-upper, but we love it. Now we're slowly but surely getting everything unpacked and evaluating which projects to tackle first.

Both babies are doing well - YAY! Gillian had a great check up last week and both guys are looking good. Gillian's getting bigger by the minute.

BIG HUGE PRAYER REQUEST FROM PERU: Our country director in Peru, Rosaura Mesones, is having some very serious health problems. She has a tumor that is being biopsied for possible cancer. She also has some other complications as a result of the tumor. FH-Peru is also going through some major changes in structure and leadership, so this event is a biggie on many levels. Our prayers are with Rosaura and her children (both adults), as well as with FH-Peru.

PARTING THOUGHTS: Transitioning back to the States has been wonderful and difficult at the same time. We have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with friends and family. So many people have been helping us with house issues, getting unpacked, finding our way back into ministry, and more. The difficult part is that we miss Peru tremendously. So please pray for us as we transition back home and discern where God wants us.

In Christ,
Justin, Gillian, Alex, Nathan, ? and ?