Our Christmas Letter 2012

This is the letter we sent with Christmas cards this year.  I always loved reading Christmas letters sent to us growing up, and have enjoyed this tradition for our family as well.  I can never send as many cards and letters as I'd like, so you all can read it here if you're interested...  We'd welcome your prayers as our letter says with much newness as the anticipation grows while we await God's plans for us in the coming months and year!

“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another” as John 1:16 proclaims.  We found this passage to be a concise summary of our walk with the Lord over the last year as a family.  We pray that you too would say that it is only by His grace that we enjoy the abundance of blessings He bestows in Christ.

Later this month we will celebrate our 5^th wedding anniversary.  Time is moving quickly as we reflect on this milestone, while reporting a growing love for one another each day.  This fifth year of marriage comes in the midst of many approaching changes.  Matt completes his Master’s of Divinity in May 2013, Lord willing.  He is diligently applying for full time pastoral positions throughout the country and praying fervently for the Lord to direct his path as he leads our family.  Please pray for us this year as the Lord leads us in the next season of life post-seminary. 

Moriah remains our great joy as a busy two-year-old little girl.  She is often found talking up a storm, laughing, and lately squealing (like only a little girl can!).  She plays with her favorite doll, “Baby Jane” and a teddy bear called “Cubby”.  She also rides “Cocoa” her rocking horse often.  Her imagination is growing, leading to great playtime adventures as a doctor, ambulance driver, and sleigh rider (when we listen to “Jingle Bells”) most recently.  Moriah always looks forward to playing with Daddy in the evenings and on the weekends.  She spends time with Mommy cooking in the kitchen, and is becoming such a big helper as she cracks eggs, and loves to scoop, pour, and stir! 

Matt continues to faithfully serve during his third year as a pastor of our rural Kentucky church.  We have been encouraged by the faith of our members, the interest of a few new visitors, and an upcoming baptism this year.  We praise God for using Matt, for His glory.  Outside of church, Matt works full time as a bank teller to provide for our family.  This job blesses us with flexible hours, and regular days with evenings and most weekends off.  Finally, Matt is completing his studies this year at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  This year has given Matt the opportunity to grow in many practical areas of ministry through his coursework. 

As a nanny I spend my days with Moriah and her two great friends, Mr. S. (4 years old) and Ms. M.K. (18 months old).  We have great fun together and our days are full as you can imagine!  I’ve enjoyed more time to read this year and have found myself lost in many good books.  I also find inspiration as a wife, homemaker, mom, and nanny on Pinterest which gives me a constant supply of recipes and projects to try when I can.  This year the Lord allowed me to rejoice with three friends on each of their wedding days.  It’s always sweet to celebrate the marriages of godly couples that are serving the Lord together. 

We’re so thankful for your prayers and support as our family and friends.  You have been an invaluable source of God’s love to us through your kindness, willingness to help, and generosity this year.  We have “received one blessing after another”.