December is here...


The kids were in the town Christmas parade two weekends ago. It was cold but we are thankful it was not raining like it had been for several days prior. We did get some snow over the last two weeks (about 5") so the parade had that Christmas feel to it. The kids got to finish by receiving a candy treat bag from 'Santa' and a photo op :-).

We are excited this month to be celebrating some very special birthdays. First, of course, is the Lord Jesus'. How wonderful for us to remember the birth of the One who "came not to be served but to serve and give HIS life a RANSOM for MANY" Mark 10:45 says. 1Ti 2:5-6 says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself--a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time." Jesus' birth was perfectly timed, laid out on God's timetable as we can see in Galatians chapter 4 verses 4 and 5; "(4) But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights. The birth of God's Son

IS GOOD NEWS!

We've celebrate Moriah's birthday. She is seven years old now. We all are happy with her since she celebrated her 2nd spiritual birthday, too. Cousin Jennifer will be almost three times older than her cousin Moriah, but not quite. Happy birthday Jenny, we love you! Grandma Deanie we love you and hope your birthday is wonderful and that your heart is filled with joy. Cousin Nick happy BIG 6TH birthday! We all love you, hope you have a great day and get to eat your favorite birthday meal!

Jinni, RJ, Myself and a classmate, Julie Arnold, had the privilege of presenting a Christmas drama at three churches over the past two Sundays. What a joy to share the hope and reconciliation available to everyone, no matter how bad they think their life is or the wrongs done in the past, through Jesus Christ - God's own Son. Our prayer has been that lives would be able to see that God understands our hurts and weaknesses. He is fully aware of the guilt and shame we rightly feel because of sin in our histories. He took drastic and incredibly miraculous measures - sacrificing His only Son in our place - to ensure we might have a right relationship with Him.

We are now just a few days away from our Christmas break. Classes end this Friday afternoon and lots of folks will be heading away to be with family during this holiday season. We will be staying up in Canada this year. Our travel plans will be limited to celebrating with the members of our local church and those who will be remaining on campus through the break.

As we draw nearer to Christmas day our family is reminded of the many folks who have been praying for us to get through this semester of training. Thank you, all of you, for your part in our lives and your ministry to us. We thank our Father for you and continue to pray your lives will be enriched daily as your grow in your relationship with our God. We pray your homes will be filled with laughter and the making of fond memories as you all celebrate together the anniversary of the coming of the King! Enjoy your holiday, vacations to those who will have them, and Merry Christmas to you all from each one of us.

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; dominion will rest on his shoulders, and he will be given the name Pele-Yo'etz El Gibbor Avi-'Ad Sar-Shalom [Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace], in order to extend the dominion and perpetuate the peace of the throne and kingdom of David, to secure it and sustain it through justice and righteousness henceforth and forever. The zeal of ADONAI-Tzva'ot will accomplish this. (Isa 9:6-7 CJB)"

Roland (for the family)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. www.messianicjewish.net/jntp. Distributed by Messianic Jewish Resources. www.messianicjewish.net. All rights reserved. Used by permission.