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HelpRe: 15 year game
in reply to a message by Ranchie
-2010-
My name: Jessica Jane
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Job: banker
Spouse's Name: Peter Sidney (Jr.)
Hair: Dirty blond
Eyes: blue
Job: chef
Pete and I had only been married a year when we decided to move to Africa as missionaries. We were able to stretch our money quite a bit that way and we already have a house and a car--a green Corvette. We are serving in Sierra Leone. Peter will be the banker in charge of a microloan operation; I will be working in his office's cafeteria as a chef.
-2011-
I finally did it--I memorized the entire book of Matthew. My job keeps me busy but it seems I have a lot of spare time on my hands, since it's hard to find books in English and we don't have much of a social life... but hey, I managed to use my time really profitably. (Major goal)
-2012-
We welcomed our first child--a daughter! Her curly hair is the same color as her fathers, and her eyes are so blue--we're totally in love with Jane Virginia! (Name: author, place)
-2013-
With so much need around us, it is hard to ignore the fact that children are suffering, especially now that we have our daughter. We finally completed the paperwork to adopt a child from the country that we have adopted, and we brought home Jane's brother in May of this year. He's actually about four months older than her. The orphanage thinks he's about a year old, so we're using his adoption day as his birth day. He looks very different from us, with his dark skin, brown eyes, and tightly curled hair, but that doesn't matter to us--or to Jane, who is fascinated by him and calls him "Bubba" (brother). All they know about his story is what can be told from his name--Abidemi, which means "born during father's absence." We gave him the middle name of Olukayode, which means that "God has brought joy"--to Abi and to us! (adoption, Africa, 7-12 months)
-2014-
My uncle's death resulted in a significant inheritance for us. We have put most of it back into the missionary organization we work for, though, as we have everything we need--but we kept enough so that we can continue to adopt should we get an opportunity to do so again. (inheritance)
-2015-
I wanted to work more closely with some of the people around us, so I quit my job in the company cafeteria and now raise fruit and sell it at a local market. It's a lot of fun and gives me opportunities to share my faith, plus I can do it all with Abi and Jane around. Here no one thinks twice about me bringing my kids to work--though sometimes I have to explain how I have two children so close in age who look so different. (new job)
-2016-
Now that the kids are a little older, Pete wanted to take us all on a trip. We had fun visiting Freetown (the capitol) and some local points of historical instruments, plus the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, which is the world's third largest harbor. (travel, historical)
-2017-
In November we gave birth to our third child, Hezekiah Caleb. We wanted a name that was very unusual, so we scoured the Old Testament for admirable men and decided on Hezekiah, who was a king of Judah. His middle name started out as a joke--Abi said he'd rather have a puppy, and Peter said we could name the baby Caleb--and it actually stuck. But I couldn't give my son a first name that meant dog. Zekk has blond hair and blue eyes like his big sister. I like the nickname Zekk, but the rest of the family is against me; everyone keeps saying Caleb! Really we are all thrilled to have a new baby; after the 5 years we waited before God blessed us again, we wondered if it would ever happen. (name: unusual/canine)
-2018-
God has blessed us again with a little girl! I had to be induced early due to high blood pressure, 2 months before she was due, before we had even chosen her name! Luckily, she and I are both doing great and she barely even spent time in the NICU--she was just in there for evaluation. Another surprise was that our little girl had bright red hair! We decided to name her Aurora because of that--Aurora Mary. I'll be busy with two little ones now, but we are so glad to be a family of 6! (name: mythological/ends in y) (birth: induction, but I rolled a birthday 8 months after her brother's)
-2019-
We were excited to be able to travel and speak on behalf of the missions organization this year. Pete is not much on public speaking but the regular speakers were booked all summer, so we got to take a trip to speak at a few churches in Massachusetts, including the church where we were married. I couldn't resist the opportunity to turn our month-long stay in the states into a history lesson as well, with stops at some of the historic sites of the Revolutionary War. (We also visited our kids' grandmas and grandpas, of course!) Jane, who seems to be a budding history buff (like my husband's parents), especially loved that portion of the trip. (travel, historical)
-2020-
Our trip back home left Pete and I very homesick. We had been in the mission field for almost 10 years--all 4 of our kids were born in Sierra Leone! We decided to pray about a return to the states. We felt a strong leading from God that we should move--to Thailand. It was not in our plans but God is great and we know His plans for us are good, so we welcome this new adventure. Abi and Jane are sad to be leaving their friends, but they understand why we are doing what we are doing. We didn't speak the language or know much about the culture, but we are learning! The parent organization of the microloan mission Pete worked for operates in Thailand as well, so we told them about God's calling for us and they have found him a position there. It is a desk job without much actual mission work but he will still be important to the overall mission. I know God's hand is in this, and we look forward to what he might do in this.
-2021-
Once we were settled in to our new home in Thailand, we decided to take some of the money we'd saved up and go on another trip to the states. With no "business"--and Zekk and Aurie now 4 and 3 years old--it was a more relaxing trip than the last one, with speaking engagements to attend and two toddlers in tow. We hung out with family and old friends, and the kids had a great time hanging out with their cousins, who are 3-5 years older than Abi and Jane. (travel/overseas)
-2022-
This year had a scary ending! Abi and Jane were on a school bus on their way to a Math meet when it overturned. 7 children were injured as well as the driver, but everyone will make a complete recovery. Abi was most seriously injured. But all he wants is a dog (still!) I told him we'd think about it.
-2023-
Well, we thought about it, and I'm still not willing to have a dog. I know I'd end up taking care of it--I've been through this from the kid's end, once upon a time. But I suggested compromising on a cat. We had a family meeting and we were all okay with getting a family cat who we would share responsibility for. It seemed fitting to get a Siamese. Our new kitten is a seal-point applehead Siamese named Thai. It is nice to have a cat around again.
-2024-
After another big gap in our family, we were thrilled when I discovered I was pregnant again at 40! I had started to wonder if four kids was all God had for me. I was 41 by the time our little Serena Faith was born. Everyone says she looks just like me (family as well as our Thai friends who think all of us look just alike--well, except Abi. Even Aurie with her red hair looks "just like" the rest of us to our neighbors!) Our other four kids have come in pairs--I wonder what the next year holds? A baby brother for Serena?
-2025-
Peter's position with the company he worked at for 15 years has been eliminated. We understand all the reasons but it's hard to lose something that's been such a part of our lives. Pete's less offended than I am I think--which is typical. Still, there are positives. We are about to set out on a new adventure! I don't know what our future holds--more children, by birth or adoption? A return home to civilian life? Mission work in a new and different place--or Sierra Leone, which would be as much a return home as the states, in some ways? I do know that God will provide for us--He always has!
Peter Sidney, Jr. (Blond/blue/wavy) (43) "Pete"
Jessica Jane (Brown/blue/wavy) (43) "Jessi"
Abidemi Olukayode (b. 5/15/2012) (ad. 5/12/2012) (Black/brown/curly) (13) (boy) "Abi"
Jane Virginia (b. 9/9/2012) (Blonde/blue/curly) (13) (girl)
Hezekiah Caleb (b. 11/4/2017) (Blond/hazel/wavy) (8) (boy) "Zekk" or "Caleb"
Aurora Mary (b. 7/7/2018) (Red/blue/wavy) (7) (girl) "Aurie"
Serena Faith (b. 6/4/2024) (Brown/blue/wavy) (1) (girl)
Cat: Thai (b. 12/10/2022) (ad. 2/4/2023) (2) (male)
Pete & Jessi have five kids: Abi (adopted), Jane, Caleb (called Zekk by his mom), Aurie, and Serena, and a cat, Thai. The eldest two are 13, the middle two 8 and 7, and the baby is 1. They live in Thailand, where their youngest daughter was born; they are American by birth, but their four elder children were born in Sierra Leone.
[[Compared to some of the other stories, that was pretty plausible.]]
My name: Jessica Jane
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Job: banker
Spouse's Name: Peter Sidney (Jr.)
Hair: Dirty blond
Eyes: blue
Job: chef
Pete and I had only been married a year when we decided to move to Africa as missionaries. We were able to stretch our money quite a bit that way and we already have a house and a car--a green Corvette. We are serving in Sierra Leone. Peter will be the banker in charge of a microloan operation; I will be working in his office's cafeteria as a chef.
-2011-
I finally did it--I memorized the entire book of Matthew. My job keeps me busy but it seems I have a lot of spare time on my hands, since it's hard to find books in English and we don't have much of a social life... but hey, I managed to use my time really profitably. (Major goal)
-2012-
We welcomed our first child--a daughter! Her curly hair is the same color as her fathers, and her eyes are so blue--we're totally in love with Jane Virginia! (Name: author, place)
-2013-
With so much need around us, it is hard to ignore the fact that children are suffering, especially now that we have our daughter. We finally completed the paperwork to adopt a child from the country that we have adopted, and we brought home Jane's brother in May of this year. He's actually about four months older than her. The orphanage thinks he's about a year old, so we're using his adoption day as his birth day. He looks very different from us, with his dark skin, brown eyes, and tightly curled hair, but that doesn't matter to us--or to Jane, who is fascinated by him and calls him "Bubba" (brother). All they know about his story is what can be told from his name--Abidemi, which means "born during father's absence." We gave him the middle name of Olukayode, which means that "God has brought joy"--to Abi and to us! (adoption, Africa, 7-12 months)
-2014-
My uncle's death resulted in a significant inheritance for us. We have put most of it back into the missionary organization we work for, though, as we have everything we need--but we kept enough so that we can continue to adopt should we get an opportunity to do so again. (inheritance)
-2015-
I wanted to work more closely with some of the people around us, so I quit my job in the company cafeteria and now raise fruit and sell it at a local market. It's a lot of fun and gives me opportunities to share my faith, plus I can do it all with Abi and Jane around. Here no one thinks twice about me bringing my kids to work--though sometimes I have to explain how I have two children so close in age who look so different. (new job)
-2016-
Now that the kids are a little older, Pete wanted to take us all on a trip. We had fun visiting Freetown (the capitol) and some local points of historical instruments, plus the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, which is the world's third largest harbor. (travel, historical)
-2017-
In November we gave birth to our third child, Hezekiah Caleb. We wanted a name that was very unusual, so we scoured the Old Testament for admirable men and decided on Hezekiah, who was a king of Judah. His middle name started out as a joke--Abi said he'd rather have a puppy, and Peter said we could name the baby Caleb--and it actually stuck. But I couldn't give my son a first name that meant dog. Zekk has blond hair and blue eyes like his big sister. I like the nickname Zekk, but the rest of the family is against me; everyone keeps saying Caleb! Really we are all thrilled to have a new baby; after the 5 years we waited before God blessed us again, we wondered if it would ever happen. (name: unusual/canine)
-2018-
God has blessed us again with a little girl! I had to be induced early due to high blood pressure, 2 months before she was due, before we had even chosen her name! Luckily, she and I are both doing great and she barely even spent time in the NICU--she was just in there for evaluation. Another surprise was that our little girl had bright red hair! We decided to name her Aurora because of that--Aurora Mary. I'll be busy with two little ones now, but we are so glad to be a family of 6! (name: mythological/ends in y) (birth: induction, but I rolled a birthday 8 months after her brother's)
-2019-
We were excited to be able to travel and speak on behalf of the missions organization this year. Pete is not much on public speaking but the regular speakers were booked all summer, so we got to take a trip to speak at a few churches in Massachusetts, including the church where we were married. I couldn't resist the opportunity to turn our month-long stay in the states into a history lesson as well, with stops at some of the historic sites of the Revolutionary War. (We also visited our kids' grandmas and grandpas, of course!) Jane, who seems to be a budding history buff (like my husband's parents), especially loved that portion of the trip. (travel, historical)
-2020-
Our trip back home left Pete and I very homesick. We had been in the mission field for almost 10 years--all 4 of our kids were born in Sierra Leone! We decided to pray about a return to the states. We felt a strong leading from God that we should move--to Thailand. It was not in our plans but God is great and we know His plans for us are good, so we welcome this new adventure. Abi and Jane are sad to be leaving their friends, but they understand why we are doing what we are doing. We didn't speak the language or know much about the culture, but we are learning! The parent organization of the microloan mission Pete worked for operates in Thailand as well, so we told them about God's calling for us and they have found him a position there. It is a desk job without much actual mission work but he will still be important to the overall mission. I know God's hand is in this, and we look forward to what he might do in this.
-2021-
Once we were settled in to our new home in Thailand, we decided to take some of the money we'd saved up and go on another trip to the states. With no "business"--and Zekk and Aurie now 4 and 3 years old--it was a more relaxing trip than the last one, with speaking engagements to attend and two toddlers in tow. We hung out with family and old friends, and the kids had a great time hanging out with their cousins, who are 3-5 years older than Abi and Jane. (travel/overseas)
-2022-
This year had a scary ending! Abi and Jane were on a school bus on their way to a Math meet when it overturned. 7 children were injured as well as the driver, but everyone will make a complete recovery. Abi was most seriously injured. But all he wants is a dog (still!) I told him we'd think about it.
-2023-
Well, we thought about it, and I'm still not willing to have a dog. I know I'd end up taking care of it--I've been through this from the kid's end, once upon a time. But I suggested compromising on a cat. We had a family meeting and we were all okay with getting a family cat who we would share responsibility for. It seemed fitting to get a Siamese. Our new kitten is a seal-point applehead Siamese named Thai. It is nice to have a cat around again.
-2024-
After another big gap in our family, we were thrilled when I discovered I was pregnant again at 40! I had started to wonder if four kids was all God had for me. I was 41 by the time our little Serena Faith was born. Everyone says she looks just like me (family as well as our Thai friends who think all of us look just alike--well, except Abi. Even Aurie with her red hair looks "just like" the rest of us to our neighbors!) Our other four kids have come in pairs--I wonder what the next year holds? A baby brother for Serena?
-2025-
Peter's position with the company he worked at for 15 years has been eliminated. We understand all the reasons but it's hard to lose something that's been such a part of our lives. Pete's less offended than I am I think--which is typical. Still, there are positives. We are about to set out on a new adventure! I don't know what our future holds--more children, by birth or adoption? A return home to civilian life? Mission work in a new and different place--or Sierra Leone, which would be as much a return home as the states, in some ways? I do know that God will provide for us--He always has!
Peter Sidney, Jr. (Blond/blue/wavy) (43) "Pete"
Jessica Jane (Brown/blue/wavy) (43) "Jessi"
Abidemi Olukayode (b. 5/15/2012) (ad. 5/12/2012) (Black/brown/curly) (13) (boy) "Abi"
Jane Virginia (b. 9/9/2012) (Blonde/blue/curly) (13) (girl)
Hezekiah Caleb (b. 11/4/2017) (Blond/hazel/wavy) (8) (boy) "Zekk" or "Caleb"
Aurora Mary (b. 7/7/2018) (Red/blue/wavy) (7) (girl) "Aurie"
Serena Faith (b. 6/4/2024) (Brown/blue/wavy) (1) (girl)
Cat: Thai (b. 12/10/2022) (ad. 2/4/2023) (2) (male)
Pete & Jessi have five kids: Abi (adopted), Jane, Caleb (called Zekk by his mom), Aurie, and Serena, and a cat, Thai. The eldest two are 13, the middle two 8 and 7, and the baby is 1. They live in Thailand, where their youngest daughter was born; they are American by birth, but their four elder children were born in Sierra Leone.
[[Compared to some of the other stories, that was pretty plausible.]]
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