MERRY CHRISTMAS

It was a wonderful holiday for the Jaffuel family. Christmas Eve was church and later on we went out to dinner with my brother and his family. Then it was back to the house for some Christmas Eve presents. Jonah had no problem knowing what to do with a wrapped gift. He learned quickly. We all got to bed quite late but we were at it again Christmas morning. It was a blast. How Jonah has grown so much from last year. It was overwhelming...he had so much fun with his new toys and we had just as much fun watching his face. Us parents had a heck of time getting the packages and ties and things that keep all the toys in place undone but we managed. The Lord has certainly blessed us. We know the season isn't about the "stuff" and we look forward to teaching our boy what the season is all about.

Thank-you God for all that you've done.

NEW YORK CHRISTMAS
Well we took on the big city and saw what there was to see. And boy was there alot to see. The big tree, lights, people, shop windows, buses (a favorite), cars, horses, Santa and so much more. Jonah of course was in stimulation central and loved it. The most precious moment was in FAO Schwartz (the big toy store) which gets very crowded. Jonah got up in the window and was waving to the people coming in. He was laughing and making faces...we thought the store should of given him a job. Look out all you Wal-Mart greeters....it was just the best! The day was full and we were glad we got there early...the streets get very crowded so we were able to duck out as it filled up. The weather has been mild so it was real pleasant to walk around. By the end we were pretty tired and so was Jonah (as you will see below)...












He's Done!!!

The weather has turned officially chilly and it was time to break out the Christmas decorations. We had lots of fun decorating the tree and hanging the lights. Mitch spent most of the day outside on a ladder making the house look pretty. Jonah helped of course and even managed to get an ornament or two on the tree...( I won't tell you how many came off the tree). I think he is finally understanding touching is o.k. but destroying is not. This holiday is sure going to be fun and with the cold weather, well, it really feels like Christmas. Our church this past Sunday had Teen Challenge singing and from what I hear ( I was working in the nursery) it was angelic. So life is moving along and our little guy is well, not so little anymore...this Friday we are hoping to go into the city and check out the really big tree...we'll keep you posted...blessings!

Bundled up at the beach....





We had a nice time at the beach on Saturday. It was brisk in the morning as you can see but we loved it. Noone really was there, except a bunch of people fishing. Jonah got to see his first fish up close and got to feel the all the scales. We played in the sand and went exploring. The weather warmed up and actually it's been real mild here all week. A cold front should be moving in just in time for Thanksgiving...it actually will be nice to have a chill in the air.

GETTING BRISK...
Well it's cooling off around here. Long Island is in full color bloom and everyone is thinking about Thanksgiving. We drove out to a farm stand on the North shore and Jonah had lots of fun just looking around. We can feel the winter chill in the air some days and it really makes you think of Christmas. This past Sunday we presented Mitch's friend Antonio with his first Study Bible. He was thrilled. He has commited his life to the Lord and well, Mitch is still in awe of the change. The fellowship at Calvary Chapel Holbrook is really amazing and I hope it only gets stronger. There has been lots going on and it is so obvious how the Lord wants us to be here. Mitch feels quite a call to witness to all the guys at work...and they seem to listen to him. The church is making about 1000 meals on Thanksgiving and I am hoping we can participate in helping with that ministry. It's hard to believe we are talking about Thanksgiving already, before we know it we will have our first snowfall...which we are all looking forward to for Jonah's sake. (my dad already has the sled out, just in case).

FLY BOY

THE FALL...



The beauty of the season was all around us as we took a drive upstate. The array of colors were bursting and we spent the whole time pointing and looking at God's beauty. Wow! We drove up to Woodstock (yes the famous concert site) and took the backroads thru various small towns. It was hard not to stop every 10 feet to just look. Mitch was blown away at his first real view of the autumn leaves. Jonah had fun just running around and we even managed to squeeze in a stop at a local playground for him. The season won't last much longer and hopefully we can take a couple of more trips around the state. Just driving down our block produces new color every day as this town is loaded with trees all along the sidewalks. It truly is a fall season and we are thoroughly enjoying it.

POP'S TRUCK

COLUMBUS WEEKEND

Well we had a nice time on Saturday driving out to the end of Long Island. We saw lots of farms and vineyards and old houses. We visited with Mitch's buddy Antonio along the way, who by the way came to church again on Sunday. (lots of good stuff going on there). We stopped at a little town called Greenport which is right on the water. We saw lots of boats and strolled along the dock. Lots of good fresh fall air. The leaves are just starting to turn. The next couple of weeks it should be bursting with color. Jonah loves to be out (as you can see) and learned the word boat. (we think). He certainly knows the word bird and saw lots of them too. Oh and whenever he sees an airplane he lifts his hand up in the air and tries to point to it. His pop taught him that.

JUICY
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Just another day at the farm....

and here's farmer Jonah....





nice doggie, I mean goat....

THE WHITEPOST FARM
We had a great time today exploring one of the farms here on Long Island. It was amazing. So many animals to see, pumpkins, horses, a train ride, pony ride, hay ride, corn field, toy houses to explore...and so much more. We had the best time feeding the animals as you can see in the photo's, especially the video. After just a few minutes Jonah was an old farmer hanging out with all the livestock. He had a blast! We will be going back for sure, they have festivals for the harvest and during Christmas time. I think we liked the goats the best...they can sure eat alot...and best of all they like milk...yum!



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CHURCH
Well we were pleased once again at the Calvary Chapel in Holbrook. The pastor is just a crack up and boy can he talk (remind you of someone). He kept on joking that we weren't leaving until 2:00-which I'm sure would of been fine by many of us. Mitch's friend, Antonio came and left wanting to come back. Praise God! He had only good things to say...so we shall see what happens. It is tough that the church isn't right around the corner, hard to get used to the fact that you just can't drop by, however, God has us here and knows what He is doing. They have so many different ministries going on. Couples retreat, Men's retreat, prayer, bible study...they have a Sat. night service starting up with a ministry called the Solid Rock Cafe afterwards for teens and younger adults. So there is plenty of opportunity to get fed and serve. I feel like we have found a new home and I'm sure we will cultivate new friendships. We still miss all of our brothers and sisters back in F.B. and send out our big hugs and love to all of you...the Jaffuels

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DID SOMEONE SAY CHEEEEZE?
DID SOMEONE SAY CRACKER? DID SOMEONE SAY HAIRDOOOO?

WHAT'S NEW
Time is ticking by, and at rapid pace. I can't believe we have been here almost 2 months. Jonah is growing by leaps and bounds. He used his own potty...oh my gosh. Just for pee pee but wow! I don't think Mitch and I were ready for that...it's so grown up. He goes to the park almost every day either with me or grandpa. My dad tries to take him out all the time. If not to the park then into town where they can people and car watch. Jonah loves to run around, (everywhere) and is climbing stairs like a pro. He waves bye bye to us when he leaves the room and then he comes running back to do it again (and again). He is getting so much love. He gives not just Mitch and I but my mom and dad hugs all the time. It's so awesome to see. We wanted so much for Jonah to be loved by my family and it's just great to witness it actually happening.
We are getting more of a normal day to day rhythum going, which is nice after such a long haul of "Stuff". We attended Calvary Chapel of Holbrook on Sunday...we liked it alot! First the pastor's name is Kevin...good sign. Second, no suit...even better. Third, there building is an old Knight of Columbus hall...ahhh just like home. But most importantly the pastor just loves the word. We could feel his heart and soul behind his teaching. We just couldn't sit thru someone who sounded like they were reading a script. After Kevin Green the bar was set pretty high. I think the Lord may have lead us to the right spot. It's a bit of a drive (about 35 minutes) but that's o.k. Mitch actually knows someone who lives out that way and perhaps he will meet us at church one day. I feel so anxious to be part of a fellowship...it is an obvious void in our life. The pastor was teaching in Hebrews and he talked a bit on patience....I know I know. He talked of all the waiting by different people throughout the Bible. God answers, God is there, His timing is perfect, He knows what the next chapter, He's got us in His hands....it's good to be reminded. We look forward to next Sunday, please pray for the spiritual meat to be fed to us. Thank-you!

CENTRAL PARK

We had a lovely Labor Day Weekend (after the hurracaine blew thru on Saturday). Sunday was just perfect with a nice drive along the shore and then on Monday we hit Central Park. We saw the animals in the Zoo, we walked around the lake where there are lots of toy boats motoring around the water. Plenty of ducks to feed, musicians to listen to (Jonah really liked a beautiful guitar player and an old man on an old violin). There was tons of people watching and when we walked down 5th Ave. lots of good traffic to watch. We saw the sea lions get fed and we got real close to a polar bear. Jonah ran around the lake and tried to befriend all the dogs. He practiced his stair climbing and had a ball. The weather here has been real pleasant. It felt almost a bit like a fall day today. Perhaps the real hot weather is past us. We hope to take a trip upstate and see some of the beautiful areas nearby...we'll keep you all posted.