Transitions and Thank-you!

I see that the last time I wrote a blog was when I was still going for prenatal checkups!  Since then, a lot of big things have happened!

First of all, our beautiful daughter, Janelle, was born on October 24^th, 2025.  As you can imagine, our hearts were filled with thankfulness and joy when she arrived!   It’s hard to describe that feeling, but God, in His infinite mercy, answered many prayers and everything went super well with labor and delivery!  We also enjoyed a full week of day and night help in the form of Fanuel’s mother which was a huge blessing!   This was especially wonderful during one of the hottest weeks of the entire year.  Janelle was even struggling with the heat and sometimes enjoyed 3 or even 4 baths a day!

Before Janelle was born, we received a wonderful email which informed us that Fanuel’s permanent resident application had been accepted.  This meant that we could begin making plans to move to Canada.  This also meant that 7 weeks after Janelle was born, we would be making the big move across the ocean. 

Postpartum, packing and planning.  There was a lot to do!  Thankfully, Janelle settled in well and we thoroughly enjoyed those newborn weeks.  However, there was also packing to think about.  Therefore, we were also thankful when my mom decided to come for 2 weeks and help me pack!  Otherwise, we probably would have left things behind!😁

Nov 24 – I went to Stephanos early, with Janelle, in order to attend week opening and officially say goodbye there.  Incidentally, this combined with introducing Janelle to coworkers, children and others.  It was also a beautiful day and something that we will never forget!

Nov 29 - The day after mom arrived, we hosted a goodbye party in order to say goodbye well to many family members and friends.  It was important to us to say goodbye but impossible to physically visit each and every one.  This was something we will always look back on with pleasure!

10 days before we left, my dad and youngest sister also arrived and we took the chance to have 3 quiet days at the lake before finalizing our moving to-do lists.  This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with each other and relax a bit while enduring some hot and humid days amid all the busyness!

Dec 10 – We picked up Fanuel’s parents and youngest sister so that they could sleepover and then accompany us to the airport the next day. 

Dec 11 – Fanuel’s parents, 1 brother, his youngest sister, and a couple of mutual friends accompanied us to the airport.  Since we were flying back with my parents and sister, we maxed out our luggage allowance and it turned into a huge pile of luggage and people.  However, while emotional and all the feelings that go with saying goodbye, at the same time, it was also wonderful to be there with them, to say our final goodbyes to family and friends at the airport.

Dec 12 – After a thankfully uneventful trip, we safely arrived in Toronto.  All of our luggage arrived without incident and going through immigration was simple and seamless.  We walked outside to a wave of bitter cold and a white landscape of snow!  It’s been a December to remember indeed!  We settled right in to our house which my sister and friends were able to make ready for us.  This was a wonderful relief and it’s been so good to begin settling down after all the transitions of the last years.

As I reflect back on the past 3 years, I can say that grace overshadows it all.  It was challenging in ways I did not expect.  Yet it was also beautiful in unexpected areas also.  Even when we are unfaithful, God is still faithful.  Even when we have plans and they don’t work out, God has other plans and they’re even better.  We don’t deserve His constant faithfulness, but that is grace.  Undeserved. 

When I left, I asked for your prayers saying that without Him, I can do nothing.  Now, I can thank you for praying.  It’s still the same.  Without Him, we can do nothing.  But He is good.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your support.  For your prayers.  For your donations.  Your emails.  Support shows up in many ways.  So thank you too for following along.  Finally, if you’re in the area we’d like to invite you to a Welcome Home party.  Please see the invitation for details and know that we would LOVE to see you.

Greetings from the Taibu Family.