It’s always hard to believe at the end of the year how quickly time races by us. This year was no exception. A quick recap of 2013 gives us much to be thankful for.
January-May – the year started with us continuing in our new roles in the Families in Ministry Department at the Missionary Training Center (MTC). We also kept busy with plans and preparations for Bethany & Zach’s beautiful wedding on May 26th.
June – we were getting ready for our department’s part in, and attending, New Tribes Mission’s biannual get together for furloughing missionaries held at the MTC. When that was over, we shifted gears and were preparing for our move to our new house off campus, including some painting and cleaning.
July – we moved to our new house and spent time getting settled. We quickly got back out on the race track by preparing for the new semester at the MTC, including some new responsibilities within our department due to the loss of some members.
August-October – shifting gears from our move, we spent more time preparing for the start of classes at the MTC the middle of August, including John teaching some classes for the first time. Josh started his senior year of high school, which also involved his first time on the soccer team. For Josh with practices and games, and Dad & Mom attending home games, that kept all 3 of us extra busy on top of our regular schedules with few pit stops.
November – our race slowed down a bit when soccer ended and we had time to start thinking about the holidays and prepare for Thanksgiving with Charity, Bethany and Zach, along with a couple of friends they brought home with them for their break. With John’s dad, Zach’s family, and a student from MTC joining us, we totaled 18 for Thanksgiving dinner in our home. It was a fun, international Thanksgiving with 6 countries being represented—USA, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Hungary, and Australia.
December – we are nearing the finish line for this year as we see students we have mentored over the past year and a half graduate from the MTC. On the home stretch, all our kids will join us for our Christmas celebrations. We will take the checkered flag with everyone home for the holidays!
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! – II Corinthians 9:15
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
John & Melanie Kerstetter & family
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