You were right. So many of you warned us how quickly time would fly once we had children. It has flown, not just with how quickly Ellie is growing, but also in our areas of ministry with Word of Life Bible Institute.

On Sunday, August 21, we graduated our third class. Only a few weeks later, we welcomed our fourth year. This year’s class is smaller – 25 students – but we already see them making up for their small size with their huge desire to minister to those around them. The first week of October, the entire class made the annual trip to Toronto and other neighbouring cities for Open Air Evangelism (OAE). During their 5 days there we were excited to hear of the students’ boldness and strong desire to share the Gospel with others. It is hard to quantify the impact of their time on this trip, but they believe that at least 30 came to know the Lord and hundreds more were exposed to knowledge about God of which they were previously ignorant. We pray the Lord will continue to work in the lives of all those touched by this ministry.

Troy continues to find more work than time at his office. He has two great interns working for him in Admissions, which we’re thankful for. We are trusting the Lord for 45+ students for our fifth year of operation. To reach this goal requires a lot of time and work. Would you pray even now that we will meet this goal? If you know of someone who would benefit from a year spent studying God’s Word (isn’t that all of us?), please contact us for materials that you can pass on to them or better yet, arrange for them to attend one of the Campus Days events scheduled throughout the year.

Naomi spends her days trying to keep up with Ellie. Our daughter brings us so much joy. She has such a happy disposition and often has us laughing with her funny antics. Naomi still has a hand in a few graphic design projects, as well as the school yearbook.

We keep so busy and find that time passes with us hardly conscious of it. When we watch news of one tragedy after another, we are reminded of the importance of investing our time wisely in that which is eternal. We want our lives to count for eternity, not simply for the temporal. Will you pray that we would be discerning in how we spend our time and to which good things we should commit our time?

The Squeak’s Squawk: (“The Squeak” is a nickname of Ellie’s)
You won’t believe how big I’m getting! Mommie says I wear 12 month clothes even though I’m only 7 months. I think that’s pretty big. I love it when I get to visit with my Grandpa and Grandma and Nanna and my aunts and uncle. I like to talk to people and tell them everything that’s going on. Mommie says I’m very nosy, but I just don’t want to miss anything! I love to squeal and giggle, especially when Daddyplays peek-a-boo with me. My favourite toy is whatever anyone else is holding. I’m pretty sure Mommie and Daddy think I’m very special.

Praise the Lord with us for:

• We’ve gained a few new supporters!
• Ellie’s healthy and normal development.
• The Lord’s hand in bringing us the students He did for this school year. They have been an encouragement to us!

Please Pray:

• We would reach our goal of 45+ students in the ‘06-’07 student body.
• Wisdom as we choose from the many opportunities to be involv ed in the Lord’s work. We can’t do it all.
• Wisdom as we raise Ellie. Our greatest desire is that she trust the Lord as her Saviour at a young age.
• For our local church, as we continue to seek a pastor.

A Few Details…

After a relatively smooth labour, Ellie entered the world at 12:22pm on Saturday, March 12. The next few days were a mix of three words: overjoyed, overwhelmed, overtired. Through it all, we cherish our daughter more each day. We were thankful to have family here with us to lend a hand we’re not sure what we would have done without them. Please pray for wisdom as we seek to raise Ellie to be a godly woman.

In Other News

Other news? Didn’t the world stop just for this event? Perhaps not. And as we take a look at our ministry, we are encouraged with the things the Lord is doing in the lives and hearts of our students.

Troy’s big project this Spring was to launch a new website for Word of Life Canada. We’d appreciate it if you would take a look at it (go to www.wol.ca) and let us know what you think and how we can improve on it. Troy is looking at a busy Summer ahead. Another year at the Word of Life Bible Institute is almost complete and we look forward to meeting the students the Lord sends our way for the fourth year of the school. We are praying for 45 students. Would you pray with us that we would meet this goal?

Though Ellie consumes most of Naomi’s time at present, Naomi still helps in the area of graphic design. Please pray with us for the energy and wisdom this requires as she tries to balance new and old responsibilities.

We plan to travel out West this Summer from July 12 – August 2. We’d love to be able to visit as many people as possible and share our ministry in several churches as well. Please let us know if you’d like us to stop by and visit with you or share in your church. We’d love the opportunity to catch up and also introduce our little girl to our friends in the West!

For more pictures of Ellie, visit her site.

Ellie and her dad catching a nap.

Ellie at two weeks old.

Ellie at 11 weeks old.

Support Update:
We are thankful for the Lord’s provision. We’ve had several more people partner with us financially, increasing our overall support. We would also like to thank all of you who have helped us out financially or with gifts for Ellie. In the end, we’ve had to purchase very few items ourselves. What a blessing this has been!

Previous support level: 80%
Current support level: 85-90% approx.
Approx. amount left to raise: $300/mo

As always, your prayer support is vital to the effectiveness of our ministry. We have seen the Lord’s hand at work in so many ways and we know that your prayers have a major part in this.

Troy & Naomi Johnstone

Ellie Trivia:
Birth Weight: 7lb, 14oz;
Length: 20
What’s in a Name: Ellie means light. She has been a light in our lives and we pray that she will be the same to others as she shines the light of Christ into their hearts. Ellie’s two middle names are for her grandmas.
First Impressions: The general consensus is that Ellie looks like her daddy. She certainly has his long fingers and toes.
Ellie loves to stick her tongue out. In fact her tongue spends most of it’s time outside her mouth we call it her third lip. We’re not sure who she takes after in this regard.
Ellie is a very contented baby. She has been sleeping through the night now for over a month. Her parents can’t begin to express their excitement at this development!