Jennifer Tibbetts

Jennifer Tibbetts

$40,330 raised

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From our home in Il Villaggio December 2020

December 16, 2020
Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas!  I had been thinking it was time for me to send out an email, and was prompted by a faithful prayer warrior or two who are asking for updates, but I was a bit surprised when I realized that it has been 2.5 months since I last wrote - and a lot has happened since then!
 
I write to you from our lovely duplex apartment across the street from a pond where egrets, ibis, ducks, cormorants, cranes and hawks can often be seen.  We lived in a furnished apartment in Il Villaggio for 1 month and then signed a lease and moved on November 1 into an unfurnished apartment where we can live indefinitely.  God amazingly provided furniture and decorations - some for free and some for very cheap prices, as the only furniture we brought from Colorado is a recliner.  We are now fully set up and ready for company - and my parents will be here for Christmas December 22-29 :)  
 
If you need a place to escape the winter cold and brown, come see us!  We live 30 minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches on Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key, Longboat Key with sugar white sand.  It's 70 degrees right now - goes down to 59 at night.  I have flowers blooming outside my window, green grass and trees have leaves - ah - my spirit loves this!  
 
Scott too is enjoying the beauty and warmth of Florida.  He has completed 2.5 months of his sabbatical and is feeling much more refueled.  We don't know where he will work beginning in January as he has tried not to think much about that during this sabbatical time.  However, an Evangelical Free church nearby is looking for a pastor and it is possible that Scott will do some fill-in preaching for them starting in January.  Also, we have begun attending Christ Presbytetrian Church and met with their pastor today.  He is open to having Scott do some fill-in preaching there as well.  He invited Scott and I to give our testimonies during the Christmas Eve service, and also asked us to consider leading the Adult Sunday School class for the month of February - possibly on the Biblical basis of missions.  We'll be thinking and praying about whether we would like to do that.
 
Meanwhile, I have continued to work for OMF, gradually finishing out all of my member care work and child safety work for OMF US.  A woman has agreed to take on the US Child Safety Officer role from me, and has been doing a great job taking on my responsibilities there.  A couple will be stepping into the Director for Personnel role in January and I have passed on most of my member care work to them.  A wonderful gift has been that Christ Presbyterian Church has allowed me to set up an office (without charging me rent!) in one of their children's ministry rooms so I can "go to work" (just 5 minutes from home) three days per week.  I like to separate my work life from my home life.
 
During this time, I've also had more opportunities to receive training in Missionary Kid/Third Culture Kid ministry.  I attended a three day workshop (which is usually held in person, but this year was provided on Zoom) on MK Caregiving - very helpful.  And I've also been learning about "unstacking the high grief tower" that many MKs carry in their hearts.  If you are interested, this article explains more about that from a great TCK Trainer - https://www.alifeoverseas.com/caring-for-tcks-during-covid/  
 
I have been working on Partnership Development - sharing a 30 minute presentation on how God is leading me into this new role (international advocate for the 855 MKs of OMF as International Facilitator for TCK Services) with a number of people.  Some new folks have committed to pray for me and others have committed to increasing or starting financial support.  I now need only $200/month to reach financial clearance - to have enough financial support to reach my budget for 2021.
 
If you have not yet heard my presentation and would like to connect with me on Zoom, please let me know.  I'd be delighted to share it with you and invite you into partnership if God would have you do that.
 
Our kids are all doing well.  By God's grace, all 7 of us were together in Shelton, Washington at an Airbnb for Thanksgiving and we also celebrated Christmas together at that time.  Traveling from 4 states (IA, NC, FL and OK) to a 5th state (because Joshua is in the Navy in WA and they wouldn't let him leave the state due to Covid) - so grateful for how God worked that out.  It was precious to share how God has been working in our lives, our dreams for 2021, and to pray for each other.  I loved "feeling" baby Graham move in Rachel's belly - he's due in January - can't wait to meet our first grandchild!
 
Alysha has settled into North Carolina very well.  She has connected with a church family that have embraced her with open arms.  I was able to visit her for a few days in November, and was encouraged by how many people told me they love our daughter.  Alysha has also met many people in her apartment neighborhood through walking her dog Lady.  She has built some relationships and shared Jesus with people.  Alysha regularly prays outside a Planned Parenthood, is mentoring a teenage girl and has connected with a local Equine therapy place where she is hoping to volunteer and gain skills in this area.  The only big frustration (and prayer request) is that Alysha has not found consistent work.  Because of an asthmatic condition, she can't wear a mask.  She has applied for several nanny jobs that haven't ended up hiring her.  Currently, she is applying for a couple of OMF administrative jobs that she can do remotely.  Please pray for Alysha.  I can sense that she is growing a great deal in character, perseverance and trust in the Lord in this hard season.  However, sometimes Alysha feels homesick and stressed.
 
Joshua is excited that in January he will be transitioning into a role as Training Coordinator for his Navy crew.  This will be a 9-5 job, and enable him to get out of going on 24 hour duty shifts every 4 days.  He hopes at that point to get more involved in a local church and small group.  The Navy Shipyard continues to do repairs on his submarine and he doesn't expect to be deployed again until the latter half of 2021.
 
Nathan is dating a lovely woman named Katelyn.  He introduced Scott and I to her on Zoom.  Nathan will be spending Christmas with Katelyn and her family in Ohio.  Meanwhile, he continues to work for John Deere from home due to covid restrictions.  Nathan has been a contractor with John Deere, and plans to apply for an internal job in this next month or so.  He recently found a new church home which he is enjoying.
 
Matthew and Rachel are excitedly anticipating the birth of their son Graham in January.  Though he is due February 7, Rachel has high blood pressure so the doctors are closely monitoring her and expecting to induce the baby earlier, depending on how Rachel and Graham are doing.  Meanwhile, Rachel as a real estate agent closed on 6 houses in the last few weeks.  She is looking forward to a rest over Christmas and into January.  Matthew is working between office and home for Express Employment in his job as corporate trainer.  He misses traveling around the country doing training, but is learning a lot about training virtually.  He has completed 9 out of 11 courses for his MBA with a concentration in IT - amazing!
 
I think that catches you up on us pretty well.  Would love to hear from you with a brief or long update, and let us know how to pray for you.
 
Thanks so much for your care and prayers for us.  Merry Christmas!
Jennifer and Scott
 
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6  

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