SURPRISE!!! Furlough in Texas.

For the past few months we have been planning our furlough in Texas. Through prayer and discussion we also decided to surprise our families with a much needed extended time during the holidays. We shared with our family that we would be returning on Dec 4 for Christmas but bought tickets for Nov 13. This would allow us to also spend Thanksgiving with our family and friends. As we put out our need for transportation, housing and finances there was a need of secrecy for the surprise. This created a particular challenge since we couldn't use the typical means of communication through social media etc. Through prayers of many to our Father, finances for our airline tickets and transportation was provided quickly. Father decided to notify us of our housing on Nov 12 the day before we returned. He always has perfect timing.
This set the stage for the video above where there was a birthday party planned for Jeffrey's brother Chris at a restaurant. Jodi's parents were also invited to the same restaurant by some friends for dinner. To both of the families surprise they were at the same place on the same night. Our flight landed at 4:15pm, some friends met us at the airport and drove us to the restaurant where we waited to see everyone arrive. As you can see from the video it was a sweet time of basking in the love from our family our Father has provided. Thank you to all that prayed for this time and continue to pray.

Great Friday

God has provided again. This morning started as our days normally have here in Texas, a day on the road in Fort Worth running and preparing for the arrival of a new baby. A few of our children were spending time with Nonnie and we were preparing to take the others to  Nonnie's house so they could all bake and decorate cookies for Easter with their cousins. Our baby Zachary Ryan had other plans. Jodi started having some contractions while getting ready and by the time everyone was ready to go she was having them quite frequent so we quickly took off to the hospital in Fort Worth. We contacted Nonnie to meet us at the hospital to take care of all the children while Zachary was being born. We arrived, got checked in and Zachary was delivered in a little over an hour. He weighed in at 9lbs 10oz and 21inches. Funny how our discussion just the night before was how Jodi felt her body couldn't grow any more, obviously God felt the same way. All the siblings were excited to meet Zachary and hold him especially Bubba, he always show so much enthusiasm in whatever he is doing and this was no difference.
Now we continue to pray for and ask that you join with us for God's provisions and Thank Him for all he as done for our family.
Praises-
Praise Him for Good Friday and what He has done for all of us!!!
Praise for a healthy baby boy and healthy mommy!
Praise for our family being back together after 3 weeks of separation.
Praise for how God has provided for our housing and transportation needs while in Texas.

Concerns-
-The continued health of our newest addition Zachary Ryan Daniel
-Transportation needs for our family we need a larger vehicle that seats 8 during our short time in Texas.
-All of the needs of a new baby(we were preparing but thought we had a little more time) car seat, breast pump, etc.
-Rest for mommy and baby.
-Quick processing for the birth certificate, passport,and visa for Zachary so we can return home to Jamaica.
-Preparation for all the family as we accept and raise the newest member of our family.

Below are some pictures from our time today in the hospital

Matthew running to see his new baby brother!!!

Pickle happy to see Zachary

Everyone ready to see Zachary's first bath.

Bubba and Daddy

Allison and Erin enjoying Zachary

Erin's turn

Finally Bubba get's to hold his brother!

Daddy and Zachary

Granpa's admiring the new baby.

Poppy holding his 8th grandchild.

big sis Lexi and pickle so happy to see their new brother.

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Boots and Bluebonnets

Here are some photos that we took enjoying our time in Texas while waiting on the baby to come sitting in the Bluebonnets and wearing our boots.

Texas time

Our time in Texas was great! We arrived in Nov and our first place to visit(by my pregnant wife's request) was Parton's Pizza, a hometown pizza place that we loved to frequent. We were able to spend time with our family and friends that we have so missed for the last 13 months while we live in Jamaica.

We were so blessed by so many with a great friend that loaned us their 7 passenger van for use the whole time we were in Texas to our new awesome friends that we were able to live next to since they opened up a home they had on their property. What a blessing to have a home to call our own while visiting not to mention the fact that we were able to wake up in the mornings to the deer and wild turkey's roaming through our back yard.

Christmas Caroling with Beautiful Feet

Our time with our church family was great celebrating the birth of our Savior. We also got to celebrate this time in a new way with our family at Beautiful Feet.