Isla Noelle

She is part of each of our days, and forever in our hearts. Held for only moments, loved forever, our dear daughter - Isla Noelle.

We think of her each day, but today we think of our little girl especially. How I long to be hosting her one year birthday party with sparkles and butterflies and pink curly ribbon. We think of her in heaven. She escaped all the hurt, pain, and disappointments of this world and is in a perfect place. We can rest and delight in that assurance. She is having the greatest celebration - more than we can ask or imagine.

We are thankful that God has seen us through this year. It really has been the hardest year of our lives. Through it all, we have seen God's love, hope, peace, joy, promises and control. The tears have flown in abundance, they still do, the pain of loss is still real, but we rest in God's covering. It's not always easy, but it's always there. "Be still and know that I am God."

Thank you to all of our family and friends for walking through this year especially with us. We can't thank you enough for your prayers, love and encouragement. You shared in our joy, and you shared in our sorrow. Thank you for sharing the burden with us and for looking ahead together with us. We need you all and we love you all.

Daniel put together a little video of our journey throughout this year. I was blessed that he used his artistic skills as an outlet of grieving. If you'd like to see it, here is the link: http://vimeo.com/18295856

Shortly after we lost Isla, a friend encouraged me with a picture of our hearts in grieving. At that time a huge tree had been ripped out of them, and the hole and void hurt immeasurably. She shared of her own personal journey of loss and how growth began to fill that void and that deep loss again in time. This year we have seen growth, we've been able to see flowers budding and blossoming, rays of sunshine, blessings and new life again. We give thanks.

We love our darling Isla.
Mama and Daddy :)

Christmas Update Letter

We hope these words reach you warmly with the JOY and HOPE of the season within and around. It’s great to write you all again and wrap a little update in this message.

As most of you know, our 2009 ended completely opposite of our hopes and dreams. We expected to start the new year with our baby in our arms and welcome the new chapter of parenthood. Tragically, on December 31, 2009, our beautiful daughter - Isla Noelle died during the final hour of labour. God gave us the strength and the courage to keep going, but it hasn’t been an easy year for us. We are thankful for the journey of healing and growing this year has brought. We were incredibly blessed to have our ‘work’ family and friends here in Taiwan to comfort us during the first few months of 2010 especially. Andrea’s mom came in January as had been planned. Daniel’s parents also visited us in early March. Our thoughts are never far from Isla. It is our comfort that our little girl is with our Heavenly Father.

Our work and ministry continues as we serve with Studio Classroom (Overseas Radio and TV) here on the island. Andrea went back to work again after our Chinese New Year break in February. She continued teaching on Let’s Talk in English and leading the team. At the end of this year she transferred to a new team, magazine and radio teaching program. Daniel has been involved with many creative video projects this year. He also continues to direct, host and act in various capacities. We continue to give thanks in the variety of work and opportunities we have to share our lives and God’s love. Daniel was also part of our company’s Christmas concert this year and traveled around the island this December with the rally team. He even found himself dancing with an umbrella!

This year also gave us some wonderful opportunities to be with both of our families across North America. A particular highlight was introducing Andrea to Daniel’s 92 year old grandmother, Ruth Sherman in California. Anyone who has met his grandmother will be in awe of her wit, energy and spiritual maturity. She continues to be a real inspiration and prayer warrior for the family. Another highlight was Daniel’s 30^th birthday in July, which was celebrated with his whole family in Seattle.

During the summer, we were given the exciting news that we were once again pregnant! God is good. It’s been a journey of joy woven in with continued grieving. We trust in the Lord and His abundant control. Our baby is due in March. We treasure your prayers for our new life. We keep taking each day as a gift.

Thank you for your continued prayers, love, encouragement and support this past year and in the year to come. We’d love to hear from you and how we can pray for you too. We are very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family like you. Merry Christmas! May 2011 bring continued discoveries and joy.

We truly live on an island where wild poinsettias grow. Taipei is also hosting the International Flora Expo from November to December.

With love,

Daniel and Andrea

P.S. We hope to keep adding notes to Purple Peppers! Thanks for checking in on us again!