Merry Christmas {2009}

Dear Family & Friends,

A very merry Christmas to each and every one of you! As usual, we have gone back and forth for the last 11 months about whether or not to send out cards - until December 25th is upon us and it is too late. Thus, the e-letter.

M and I have had an awesome and eventful year, full of highs and lows. Thank God; He is constant. For those of you who don't know, we found out we were pregnant with our first child in late January. Our little one really served as a wake-up call spiritually - to not live "safely," but to live recklessly in Him. We listened to God's call and began planning to leave all we knew to be out West in Portland, OR.

We miscarried our little one in March, but stayed the course and continued to plan for what God had. M graduated in May and we soon left on our first real adventure. No jobs to speak of, no promise of a job soon coming. M began studying for the BAR and I began to look for a teaching job. Within a week of M taking the BAR, I was offered a job with the Portland Public School District, teaching at 2 different schools. It has been the most challenging job I have had yet - but rewarding and surely, a blessing.

The day after M took the BAR, we found out we were pregnant with a second child. God is so good. Early on in the 2nd pregnancy, we knew that we had been originally pregnant with twins, but one did not survive. Soon after, the second baby would follow. Again, shaken - but looking towards Him. God continues to teach us through these losses.

God placed us in a wonderful church family and community (Imago Dei) that has challenged us in many ways and continually reminds us of what it is to be Christlike. M continues to use his wonderful gifting to play bass for the worship team (and is loving it).

M and I are excited to be where we are. God is teaching us loads and bringing us closer to Him - something that I'm not sure would have happened had we chosen to be comfortable instead of faithful.

Grace and Peace be with you - We love you all very much,

L & M

For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16