Merry Christmas

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We didn't send cards this year. In some ways it was an attempt to simplify our December, but it was also a sacrifice on some level. We have always sent Christmas cards, but this year we decided to put the money we'd invest in purchasing cards and buying stamps towards something else. We have decided to sponsor a sweet little girl in Nicaragua named Sandra. She is 7 years old and is new at the orphanage. You can visit the Chosen Children website for more information or to sponsor a child in 2009. This orphanage is run completely on child sponsorships, so they try to get 11 sponsorships per child to better support this orphanage.

Family News:
Our lives are good. We just returned from a fabulous trip to Disney. It was a great way to celebrate Christmas and time with family.

Stephen is in 3rd grade and loves history and science. Matthew is in 1st grade and loves math and girls. Elizabeth is in kindergarten and she's just there for the relationships. She's all about her friends.

Derek and I continue to try to balance work, church, family, etc., but we have no complaints. God has been so good and faithful to us! We love living in Tennessee and being close to family. We love our church and our church family. I went to Zambia this past summer and had the trip of a lifetime. God softened my heart in an incredible way for orphans. Derek traveled to Nicaragua for the 3rd year and his heart is united with the Nicaraguans. He will be returning to Nicaragua in May for another mission trip. God is teaching both Derek and I a lot about freedom in Christ as we sit under the teaching of Dr. Neil Anderson. Galatians 5:1 says "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." As we celebrate the coming of our Savior, let us be reminded that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. We can live in freedom because Christ came to set us free, not just free from death, but free from the chains of this world and Satan. May we live 2009 in complete freedom and obedience to Christ!

Thank you for the many cards and updates we've received already. As a family, we will pick at least a card a day and pray for your family beginning January 1st.

Merry Christmas! May Jesus become real to you in everyday life and be all that your family needs in 2009!