Big Changes for the Jones' family!!

I apologize for the long break from any blog updates. We have a lot of catching up to do! Many changes and surprises have occurred since the last blog. First of all, we would like to announce that Sonya is pregnant! This was the first big surprise to us that has led to the other changes that will be taking place. We are very excited and thankful for the blessing from the Lord. Sonya is 16 weeks along today and is due Dec. 1^st. Thankfully she has made it through the first trimester with minimum sickness, mostly just fatigued and feeling “yucky”. As soon as we found out that she was pregnant, we began praying for wisdom about the decisions that would need to be made, like where to deliver and then what to do after that. Sonya did begin experiencing an elevated heart rate in the mornings about 6 weeks ago and has been dealing with that almost daily since then. We thought her thyroid was off again, but the levels were fine and after speaking with an OB/GYN we were told that this is most likely just a side effect of having hyperthyroidism and being pregnant. It has improved some in the last couple of weeks and we are hoping it will continue to improve. Most of the time she can control it by laying down and resting.

After much prayer and seeking Godly counsel, we have decided that we will be going home (back to Knoxville, TN) to deliver and will be ending our time here in Kapsowar early. Sonya has struggled with her health off and on since we arrived here and her thyroid is likely to be an issue again after delivery with the change in hormones. Sonya also feels like we need to be near family during this time so we can have help and support as we welcome another member into the family! We do not know exactly what the Lord has planned for us next, but are hoping to come home, get healthy, have a baby and see where He leads us. We still desire to do missions and pray that the Lord will give us direction in the year to come.

Right now, we are looking at coming back around the last week of August or first of Sept. Please pray for us as we seek to finish strong here with the time we have left. We are so thankful for the opportunity the Lord gave us to come here and serve and learn and grow. It was a very difficult decision to leave early, but we are trusting the Lord in this unexpected transition. We know this was not a surprise to Him and we trust that He has a plan for our family, we just have to keep seeking Him. Thank you all so much for praying for us and encouraging us through our time here. It has been challenging, but the Lord has taught us much. His grace is sufficient no matter what and He is faithful to us always. He’s so good to continue to love us and pour out His grace on us.

On another note, some of you may not be aware that Aaron has been experiencing his share of health issues as well. About two weeks ago, our family was experiencing a bad stomach bug. After I had it, Aaron had to give me some IV fluids to help hydrate me. The good thing about being a missionary here is that I didn’t even have to go to the hospital. Aaron just brought them home and did a great job getting a line in me and then I sat in bed and watched some Little House on the Prairie while I got my fluids! I think Aaron had a new appreciation for his nurses after that experience. So the next night it hit Aaron and he was feeling nauseated. At about 1 AM, he had been vomiting and noticed his heart seemed out of rhythm. I heard him getting his clothes on and asked what he was doing and he said “just going to the hospital to get an EKG” (like it was no big deal). Long story short, he and the other American doctors got him hooked up and it showed that he was in Atrial Fibrilation. The hospital did not have the medicine that he needed in IV form, so he had to take some pills instead. Thankfully, he did not vomit anymore after taking the pills. About 6 hours later, after many, many prayers, his heart finally went back into regular rhythm. It was 7:30 AM here and I called to check on him and they told me the good news! What a long and frightening night it was, but again, the Lord is faithful and He gave us peace even amidst this scary situation. We praise God for answering our prayers and healing his heart.

So that is a short summary of what has been going on with us the last few months (at least with our health and family). We are also working on many ministry opportunities and I hope to do another blog update soon about all of that. Aaron is continuing to enjoy his work at the hospital and ministry there. Sonya is still leading a bible study for the nursing student girls at our house each Tuesday night. We are eager to share more about these opportunities soon. Thank you all so much for your generous support and prayers for the ministry here. The Lord has richly blessed us with friends and family who desire to serve and help others in Jesus’ name and it is because of you all that we are able to do these things here.

Please continue to pray for us during these last couple of months and as we prepare to transition again. There are many unknowns about the details of coming back home, but we are trusting the Lord to provide in His timing. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support of our family. We are continually encouraged by your prayers and they have helped sustain us along our journey here.

For His glory,

Aaron, Sonya, Braelyn, Layna & baby Jones #3  (Sorry no pics, bad internet connection)