Hello Beloved Family and Friends!
We so appreciate you and feel deeply honoured by your choice to stay connected with us. Thank you! As is our tradition, we want to stay connected with you by giving some general updates about our lives. Our updates are usually bi-monthly, but since our last update was in January we are overdue. Even so, here is our overarching summary.
1. I, Phil, am almost ready to submit my doctoral thesis! By the end of April I will be submitting my examination paper to Acadia Divinity College for defence! (insert happy dance!) In essence, the research explores relational anxiety. I investigated how to decrease participants’ sense of relational anxiety or avoidance of relationships. I had positive results and I’m quite excited as the subject matter is very relevant for our times. I would love to tell you more about it, but for now I’m wondering if you would be willing to whisper a prayer for perseverance and discernment during my final stages. I would deeply appreciate that! And who knows, by our next bi-monthly update I may be able to say, “Dr. Phil.”
2. Our boys are doing very well in their homeschooling! Melanie is their teacher and their academic success is definitely attributed to her hard work! There are countless proud parent moments in their journey. As some quick examples: Jonathan is in Grade 1 (6 years old) and has earned points for his reading exercises. He had the option to use the points for his personal pleasure but he wanted to donate his points to help provide international children with water. I was so pleased! Jonathan also ran the PowerPoint for the WHOLE church service this past Sunday and used his limited reading skills to know when to advance slides. I was amazed and thrilled! David is in Junior Kindergarten (5 yeas old) and he is also learning to read. This coming Sunday he wants to help read the Bible in church. Therefore, I chose John 3:16 as our scripture passage to keep it simple. I can’t wait to hear him pronounce those most precious words of God! If it seems like I’m bragging, I am. It is such a joy to see them growing in knowledge and character. Again, my highest praise for Melanie’s tireless investment!
Outside of schooling, we are enjoying family times, walks, bike rides, Wii competitions, and home movie nights. We want to take advantage of every opportunity to be together. Why? Well, the snuggles are amazing but we want to make meaningful memories. Our update is positive but we know families come under attack from many angles. Hence, we would still value your prayers for Jonathan and David to grow in knowledge, character, and in appreciating the value of family and relationships. We truly do need your prayers. Thank you.
3. As far as potential employment or ministry opportunities, we are persevering in seeking God’s face and will. Phil’s part-time janitorial job contract was completed in January. Soon thereafter, I was privileged to do pulpit supply at St. George Baptist Church (near Brantford). They hired me for 20 hours per week on March 23 till June 1, 2020. They are a great church! Pre-Covid their numeric numbers were smaller (close to 10 people) but as we’ve been praying and working together we’ve seen our faithful God encourage us again and again. On Easter Sunday we tripled in attendance and over the last couple weeks we’ve witnessed some people inviting grandchildren and others inviting family members. Pray that God would continue to bless them! When my contract is completed on June 1, I intend to complete my doctor of ministry defence in June, and then we believe that God will provide our next steps after that. Who knows, our June update may have several exciting updates!
Thanks again beloved friends! We value you and treasure you. For those who are struggling in finding work or in sustaining mental health, we would consider it an honour and privilege to pray for or with you. Please do touch base as needed. You’re important to us.
Till we update again in June, God willing,
Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, David Styles
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