We have enjoyed the changing seasons with the fall colors and dropping temperatures, and now winter with a little snow. This is the first Stateside fall and winter for us in 8 years, so we are finding it a little exciting!
New Year…
It’s hard to believe we are already in the year 2012! We trust that in reflecting upon a new year of new opportunities, we will all seek a heart of renewal.
Enjoying family…
We are so loving being close to all our kids now! Even the ones in Wisconsin seem “close”—they are only less than a 10 hour drive away instead of a whole continent away! We’ve had some special times with them and are enjoying being able to see them fairly frequently.
Wedding bells…
We are very happy to announce the engagement of BJ to Carissa Richards! Carissa’s parents are NTM missionaries who have been on staff at New Tribes Bible Institute in Wisconsin for about 20 years (Carissa grew up there.) We have actually known Carissa’s family since Melanie and Carissa’s mom were both single and in the training together! We had some very fun family time in October in Door County, WI (thanks to some special friends!), and while we were there, BJ popped the question! Carissa said, “YES!” and the wedding is set for July 7, 2012. We know they would appreciate your prayers as they plan for their special day and for their future together.
Christmas memories…
We were privileged to have all of our kids, including our future daughter-in-love, with us for Christmas! We felt very blessed to have everyone here to celebrate our Savior’s birth together, and we also fit in a few fun activities. We just lacked some snow to really make us feel “in the mood”, but we actually had some pretty mild weather to enjoy some outdoor time. The 8 days with everyone together went quickly, but we had lots of time to just relax and play together and make more memories!
Future ministry…
We are excited about the possibilities before us! We are looking to fit into the MK (missionary kid) Education Center for New Tribes Mission beginning in August 2012. This is located on the campus of the Missionary Training Center where we are currently living. Maintaining our same vision of reaching tribal people with the Gospel, we will be involved in equipping missionary families to educate their children while living in often difficult settings overseas. A letter to come will give more details about our new ministry.
Many blessings…
As we look back over 2011, we realize that we have so much to be thankful for! God has blessed us in so many ways, and we don’t want to take for granted His blessings. We are thankful to be feeling more refreshed and rested and healed as the days and weeks go by, and we are blessed to be in a location that has been conducive for this to happen. We are also blessed by your partnership with us and we covet your continued prayers.