Merry Christmas and Happy 2014!

Two thousand thirteen is about in the books.    What we’ve been doing? Well, let’s take a look... The year started calmly for at least a few days. The boys went skiing and met a blizzard on the way. Homeschooling for high school, now both in 9th grade. The work just gets harder and takes more of the day. We are blessed with a co-op of many smart mothers. They teach literature and government and 2 or 3 others. Michelle teaches biology, her students are swell. She helped them bake pizza that resembles a cell. God blesses translation so His Word can be read. For hundreds of language groups the gospel is spread.
	Four weeks we were students in the classrooms at JAARS. Learning cultural awareness in training seminars. April marked sixteen of our years in wedded bliss. We escaped to Virginia to relax and reminisce. For years Michelle’s tailbone has caused lots of pain. When the doctor removed it she could sit again. The weeks of recov’ry gave us all cabin fever. So we camped at Cane Creek - a true stress reliever! Tubing the New River was our fun in July. The water was HIGH, OH MY we did FLY! Jim, Michelle’s dad, reached the big ‘seven-o’. Our family threw a party, a surprise he couldn’t know.
In July came visitors - we’re so blessed to have guests. A nephew from Germany, and Grampa from the West, Mimi came too, we played lots of games. We tried panning for gold - alas nothing gained. In August, to Wilmington we went for a week. The time with Loren’s sister and friend was so sweet. September was full of great fun with the Scouts. Camping, canoeing and hiking about. Michelle spent some time with her sister and mother. Just talking, laughing and enjoying each other. In October, our son Matthew completed classroom driving school. Now he reminds us should we break traffic rules. Zack is 13 and wears the same number size shoe. Matthew just turned 15 and loves Dr. Who.
	The holidays come quickly when you’re busy all year. The to-do list is long and can drain us of cheer. But we try to remember the Reason (not the ruckus). The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to redeem us. For old folk and young ones, the truth is the same. Salvation is given when we call on His name. So focus on Jesus whose blessings never cease. We wish you a new year full of love, joy and peace!