News, Changes, New Changes

Hi friends!

We are honored to share some exciting news— we have recently joined Wycliffe Bible Translators! I’ll share a little of the story now.

While we always knew that we were called to worldwide missions (since before marriage), we had never felt clear direction from God regarding specifics. Even though our heart never wavered, we were unsure of what our specific role would be. We have had two careers, two moves, and three kids while we waited.

Beginning in the summer of 2015, we began to feel anticipation, like some big change was coming (we thought it was my healing, which may come anytime!) Then in October 2016, God released us to pursue Wycliffe Bible Translators! What a surprise!

After much prayer and a long application process, we became official in April. We are now in the process of being launched to our first assignment, Public Relations for International Media Services, based at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Our assignments (and location) may change over time as the Lord leads. Please visit here for more information about joining our team.

We can share more of the story when we are traveling. We are honored to call you friends and greatly appreciate your communication, care, prayers, encouragement, and all support for our family!

Goal –
We must have 100% of our partnership team before we can be released to our assignment. The target date for our move to Waxhaw, North Carolina, is May 1, 2019.

Travel – 
Ricky will likely finish his current job this fall. We will leave soon after to travel cross-country to visit old and new friends. Please be in touch!

Note – 
We want to make it clear that if you are unable to provide financial support at this time, please do not avoid us! We treasure a relationship with you, no matter what!

Prayer Requests – 

• Develop partnership team
• Old and new relationships 
• Homeschooling during this time 
• For Ricky to strongly finish court reporting 

What we want to do for you – 

• Pray and intercede 
• Encourage and bless 
• Share passion
• Spread the vision

Gratefully,
Ricky, Aidan, Aolani, Micaiah, & Raphael  DiMartino

Rolling into a Blur

• First week of May: We enjoyed a day visit from a friend; had old neighbors over for dinner; and, helped host a health and wellness event for the Marshallese in our community (we even had an interpreter). My friend taught, I organized, and Ricky had a Poppin’ Party with all the kids!
• Second week of May: We had more friends over for dinner; Ricky worked out of county most of the week; and, Ricky’s dad and brother came for a long weekend. We went to Sierra Nevada in Asheville one day and had a blast, but I think I got food poisoning that knocked me out for a day. Thankful that the big kids still got to go to church and small group :)
• Third week of May: Ricky’s brother took his dad to the airport to fly out and picked up his mom who flew in to visit for a week — Ricky’s brother got sick the next day and had to leave two days early; the big kids got haircuts; we got to go on a movie theater date; a friend stayed the night; and, we all went to Boone for an overnight mini-vacation and to celebrate 11 years of being yoked together ;)
• Fourth week of May: Ricky worked out of county three days this week; Aolani and the adults had dentist appointments and celebrated with milkshakes afterwards; went to a friend’s birthday party; and, went to small group.
• Fifth week of May: A dear friend took our big kids along with her kids to a local children’s museum for a day; we went to an old friend’s house in the mountains for dinner (reconnected with one of my teachers from high school!); went to a Marshallese birthday party for one year old twins that was still going on after midnight :) ; a friend visits overnight; and, Ricky invited some Marshallese teenage boys over to watch basketball.
• After much thought and discussion, we decided to give Aolani a dollar a day during the week for all of the ways she helps me around the house and with the baby while Daddy works :)
• I helped Micaiah change his first poopy diaper!
• Raphael grew really strong this month! He rolls and moves around everywhere. He’s teething and sucks/chews on his fingers. The hair on his head is finally growing. He is quick to smile, and he poops twice a day. He is getting louder and more talkative by the day. He especially loves his family and siblings. He nurses for about five minutes every hour and a half. And he still sleeps from around 1am until 1pm, waking twice to nurse. Generally, he naps three times a day. We started solid food toward the end of the month — avocado and butternut squash. He is beginning to really like playing peekaboo and started playing in a walker. Raphael is also really responsive to me — enjoys my presence and wants me. Overall, he is still a happy and easy baby whom everybody loves and adores!

• School verses: Micaiah -- Psalm 51:10, Romans 14:11, 2 Timothy 1: 7, Mark 16:15  ; Aolani -- 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Peter 1:24-25, Ephesians 2:8, John 8:12, Romans 8:37

Called to Peace

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

Colossians 3:15

This is a popular verse in our home. And it has been for me for years now. But recently the Spirit illuminated a new depth of meaning that I had been missing.

I used to always focus on the first half of the verse, thinking the second half to be more like a directive telling me how I needed to behave. "Act peacefully since His peace rules your heart.” Not that there’s not truth to that, but I don’t think that’s what Paul is saying here.

I think Paul is getting at God’s action and not ours.

He has called me to be in and dwell in peace. It's not a call to action but a reminder of this gift He has for us. He wants for me to have and know peace. Imagine the Father beckoning His child to come get dessert.

So come and get it! For He is calling you to peace.