Let's take a vote!

I love blogging, short and sweet...but Jon loves telling stories...and if you have the honor of talking to him face to face, you get an entire reenactment.  But I fear this blog is lacking due to the absnce of his animated writing.

Soooooo...if you want to see Jon blog more, comment...and that will could as a vote for more Jon Blogging.

Thanks and much love,
Emily Elizabeth

An interview

Hey friends!  Could you please keep Jon and I in your prayers...we have our first interview/meeting/coffee chat about a possible field placement in Rwanda with Azizi Life (www.azizilife.com)...when I was in Chicago I volunteered doing what they would need me to do with products made by rural Rwandans

This is not for certain...but prayer is always good :)  We are also looking at Haiti...and Jon is pushing for the Bahamas...but I have yet to locate an organization in paradise :)

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

My forever Valentine

Jon and I will spend Valentine's Day apart...him with our boys in the crazy house on Hedgewood and me at school.  He will spend most of his time in circle about who stole $9 for the third day in a row...not too exciting.  In fact, the Domos above accurately portray what we feel on the inside.

But crazy times like this only remind me of how much my husband loves me...after all, the only reason we are in Philly working at the house of crazy is because of my grad school stop to achieving my dreams :)  I truly know everyday how much my husband loves me by watching him serve and work with these boys with integrity, compassion and love.

Jonathan Newlin...thank you for being my forever Valentine.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

dreaming about field semester

Hello friends!

Jon and I would like to ask you all to be praying for God's direction for the field semester that we will be spending abroad to complete my coursework.  SO many choices...and I really feel at this point that whatever we want, we can do.

But in my past experience with these things, I know God will use this experience in what He has in store for us next.  We aren't worried about ending up in a shack in Africa...because NOTHING can be harder than what we are doing now :)

We look forward to our next adventure, but are striving to stay focused on our task at hand:  loving the hard to love boys right in our reach.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

p.s. here is our awesome snow cupcake (with candle) we made after the crazy snow storm at the end of January!

things we love {about our boys} part 2

I am only posting this because I am at my breaking point...and I totally just yelled at a boy...

We love when our boys are truly themselves...it always makes us smile.  They can be so sweet and funny at the same time.  They are just children in overgrown bodies...which makes them think they are men, and should have the respect of men.

God help us love them and continue to reflect Your heart.

Much love,
Emily

And we continue on

I started school on tuesday...and I am so glad to be back!  This semester promises to be much more relaxed than the last...and I welcome it with open arms!

Our most difficult boy, in terms of his ridiculousness, was taken out of our home today, and will be out of our program in 30 days...this has been bittersweet for me...yes, I am joyful that much of our drama in the house has left with him...but he was the most ostracized boy in our house...and definitely the hardest to love...and part of me feels like I have failed miserably...but I know that this is for the best, and our house already seems more peaceful tonight...shalom is feasible...but there will be another to take his place...and who knows what he will bring with him!

We are also 99% sure that another one of the boys will be discharged tomorrow...so we will be looking forward to 2 new boys in the next week...craaaazy

Jon and I are so grateful for each person that takes the time to keep up with us through this blog...your support and prayers have worked miracles :)

Much love,
Emily

Some sister and some NYC

My sister came to Philly and we didn't even go into the city...well, not Philadelphia.  We did make the two hour drive into New York City and knocked some items off of Amy's life to-do list :)

We had a great time and Jon and I successfully drove like New Yorkers...although I lead us through the Holland Tunnel twice...oops

Amy got to meet our boys and was entertained by their hospitality and personableness...we also toured my school and watched the entire first season of Community...oh and shopped like good American citizens...and I do mean shop...it was a great trip...and I would have to say my favorite part was watching my sister and Jon get to know each other more...family makes me soooo happy

Much love,
Emily