December News

Merry Christmas!

As many as the stars in the sky, or in our case, the snowflakes on the ground are the blessings of this year. It can be easy for us to look at what we don’t have, the desires left unfulfilled, prayers we may not see or understand the answers to….but there are simple joys and miracles everywhere.

Hannah learned to walk this summer and her constant motion has earned her nicknames such as ‘Hurricane Hannah’ and ‘Perpetual Motion’. She still absolutely adores her big sister even though learning to share is a chore. Her new favorite activity is feeding Doggie Bear and making sure he has plenty of treats.

Sarai has developed into a grand ‘puzzler’. Her nature is to study and focus on a situation, so concentrating on a jigsaw puzzle is a great fit for her. She too is learning the joys of sharing, but is usually very loving and even a little protective of her lil’ sis. Sarai loves playing in the snow—jumping from our bike storage shed into drifts, making snow angels, and pulling Hannah in the sled being some of her favorite activities.

Kevin has been fundraising full time. Making phone calls, organizing meetings, and visiting with church boards. This has been stretching as paperwork and organizing is not his strong suit. However, God has provided opportunities outside the office to be himself. His outgoing nature has been satisfied by meeting with contacts both old and new, helping to roof a friend’s house, assisting with area youth groups, and even encouraging some teens participating in an aerial ropes course this fall (and naturally trying it out too).

Maureen is amazed at the speed Sarai and Hannah are growing up, learning, and developing independence. She loves to see them love on each other—sitting and ‘reading’ books together, tickling each others toes and giving belly farts, giggling and chasing each other. Pure joy. This year it’s been hard to find the balance between raising and enjoying the girls, fundraising, working at Barnes & Noble, and the time to seek and trust God. Through this she’s learning about living by faith, reaching for God in crisis, and remembering that being thankful is a choice and discipline.

We pray that you too can look back on your year and see the blessings in the blizzard of daily life—and be thankful. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas. You have been a blessing to us and we are thankful you are a part of our lives.

In Him,


Kevin and Maureen