Christmas Letter

 Here is our Christmas letter with a few updates (Granny died after I had printed and sent most of the letters.)   

Christmas 2007

Our family has had an eventful year. The word that can best describe it is change.  

When you give control over to God, blessings flow.  The most obvious way we've experienced God's love this yearwas the arrival of Amalija into our lives this August.  Amalija is a 27-year-old woman from Serbia who has come to live with us while she attends George Fox University.  It was through God's grace and provision that she is here. She has brought joy, wisdom and helpful hands into our home.  We thank all of you who have supported her through prayer, friendship, and the generous gift of finances.

This year our house is quiet from 8:03am until 3:26pm.  For the first time, both girls are in school all day.  Jolee is a big 1st grader who adores her teacher and classmates.  An avid horse rider, she still takes weekly lessons.  The funniest quote from her this school year came as she responded to the question: What did you like doing the best at school today?  To which she replied,"Eating grass on the playground with Cassidy...we were being kitties."  When not pretendingto be an animal, Jolee likes to sit and giggle with Amalija more than just about anything.

Brynn is our responsible 5th grader that loves babies, reading, and email.   This year Brynn has outgrown the"fun" of dressing like her little sister but still likes to cuddle with mom while watching Dancing with the Stars.  In just a few months she'll be old enough to start taking babysitting classes.  She already helps in the childcare ministry with Young Lives alongside the rest of our family.  This year with Brynn has been a delight.  We've seen her grow and mature into a very nice "tween."  Please pray that the peace lasts-we head into middle school next fall.

Alan has probably "stayed the course" more than any of us this year.  But he's weathered many changes in the Systems Department as the Nike Wilsonville Distribution Center gets ready to shut its doors next December.  Much of Alan's time at work has been spent transitioning his employees into other jobs.  His talents at Nike haven't gone unnoticed and we are thankful for a great company that has provided fo rour family.  Alan continues to fulfill many volunteer positions in his "free time" from parent helping at school to leading the Media Ministries at our church.  His new hobby is radio control helicopters. 

Shortly after Girls Camp this summer, God gave our family 3 incredible weeks on a huge road trip.  With much prayer and preparation we headed off to visit Alan's family in Texas.  Along the way we saw Crater Lake, enjoyed visits with my dear friends Kathleen and Corinne and their families in California, and camped at the Grand Canyon!  We spent a wonderful week in Texas with Aunt Barbara, Steve, Becca, Aunt Gloria, and Grandpa Ray. On the way home we toured Yellowstone.  It was an amazing vacation.  See our website for LOTS of pictures!

It would be callous not to mention that it has also been a year of difficult times for some of our friends and family. We've witnessed pain, illness, mourning and depression.  Alan's Grandmother passed away in early December, and we'll miss her greatly.  Thankfully, we've also seen God at work: changing lives, loving unconditionally and being faithful.  Our family's life has been altered this year by the absence of Alan's brother Scott, as he serves in the Navy in Djibouti, Africa.  We pray for his safe return in April '08.  We miss you Scott!

In all circumstances, we pray that your lives will be touched by Jesus.  As you celebrate Christmas this year, look to Christ the unchanging Hope.

WithLove,

Alan, Michelle, Brynn, Jolee and Amalija