2024 year Summary

This year has been full of challenges, growth, and unexpected blessings, and we are grateful for the opportunity to connect with you and keep you a part of our story.

In October 2023, we moved to Sicily to be closer to Stella’s parents. Adjusting to a new country and culture was an adventure—fun but not without its difficulties. It was a particularly tough year for Adam, navigating the challenges of a new environment while working through the lengthy process of obtaining his Italian residency. After a full year of waiting, Adam finally received his residency a full year after our move.

In February, Stella traveled to India for her work with Apple of His Eye Charity, and we decided to go together. We spent the entire month visiting the widows’ homes, where women receive daily meals, care, and a community to pray together and hear the gospel. We also visited the children’s facilities, witnessing the love and support they receive through food, Bible stories, and education. It was humbling to see the challenges faced by Christians there and the impact of the ministry on so many lives.

This summer, we had the opportunity to visit Rwanda and Uganda. In Rwanda, we spent time with sponsored children, held a Bible camp, took the kids to a big playground, and saw firsthand how sponsorship is changing lives. It was inspiring to watch these kids grow and thrive, all thanks to the generosity of supporters.

In Uganda, we visited one of the girls Adam has sponsored since 2007. Now 24, she’s married and the mother of three beautiful children: Adam, Shalev, and Stella. They live in a remote village without running water or electricity, and spending time with them was a powerful reminder of how much we take for granted in our Western lives. Adam’s birthday was especially memorable—they gifted him a goat, the biggest gift they could give. It was humbling and heartfelt, and yes, the goat became a delicious dinner! 

After a hot and humid summer enjoying time between Stella’s parents’ house and the beach, we returned to the U.S. at the end of October. Stella’s work brought us back for Apple of His Eye Charity’s annual Gala, their largest event of the year. Months of preparation paid off, as the event was a huge success! A surprise announcement made the evening even more special—Stella was named the official Director of the charity. This role is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and she feels blessed to have found her purpose through this ministry. If you’d like to learn more or support the charity, please visit their website or consider making a donation, www.appleofhiseyecharity.org

We have continued pursuing adoption while living in Italy. There have been new classes, drug and alcohol testing, psychological evaluations, and medical check ups. We have nearly completed the list of things that need to be accomplished before we are able to select a country. We are both excited as we get closer and closer to the possibility of becoming parents. 

This year has not been without its hardships. Being far from all that we know—our church, family, and friends—has been difficult. It has tested us individually and in our marriage, but through these trials, we have grown stronger and learned more about supporting one another. We are grateful for the opportunities God has given us to grow, even in the hard moments.

As we prepare to return to Sicily, we feel like our time in the U.S. was too short to see everyone we wanted to. Still, we treasure every moment we spent with those we could meet, even if it was just for a quick coffee.

Thank you for being a part of our lives, for your prayers, support, and encouragement. May you have a blessed holiday season, and may 2025 be a year of joy and growth for us all.