it's my most favourite time of the year despite the fact that it is cold and I'm always chilly 😏
There is just something very very special about the month of December and Christmas that I just love...and I do prefer a white Christmas 😍 I love the lights, the decorations, and the music! It's just a magical time of year.
Most importantly we enjoy celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ!
I wanted to share a family update in my Christmas cards this year but alas time flew by and here I am...sending out cards minus the family update but feeling accomplished with the Christmas pictures we managed to grab Saturday evening after our oldest pulled in from work with about 10 minutes before the sun went down....😬 the lighting was perfect except for 2 seconds when this shot happened.....obviously the sun wanted in on the pictures also 😏
anyway...back to the life update!
the first 6 months of this year were spent hither and yon finishing up my paperwork process and what a trail we went on! but it's all done and done thanks to many many precious friends, family and government officials! I am a permanent resident with a social security number and Indiana drivers license ( I also got a conceal carry permit and handgun! 🙌) welcome to the US of A....I seem to have more cards in my wallet that I can keep track of and my husband insists I need more...Nexus was next on his list of cards to acquire! 😏😉
My husband completed his first year as chaplain at Howe Military Academy in June (after which he drove to NS to be with me while we waited for my Visa). He taught 2 Bible classes every day, and held 3 services a week for the cadets as well as counselling and helping whenever and wherever else he was needed. We were thankful and blessed to be able to lead several cadets to the Lord last year.
His ordination services were held July 8-9th and we had such a special and memorable weekend! We enjoyed time with good friends from Alberta and family from Nova Scotia...thank you all for making this time so perfect!
One week later found us on the road again to Saskatchewan where we were privileged to sing for three different gospel meetings set up by Evangelist Jacob Giesbrecht....we had such a great time serving the Lord with these folks and meeting up with old friends and making new ones along the way!
We returned mid August and it was time for another year of school....books were sorted and organized, kiddos enrolled for another year and the classroom was setup once again! TJ, feeling a little more accustomed to the way of things, embarked on a new school year at Howe with new responsibilities and a promotion 😉 He is now Deputy Commandant of the school and as such is referred to as Major Jones....he still continues with his duties as chaplain and also teaches Bible classes but is now involved in the day-to-day care and discipline of cadets. We are very thankful for Colonel Osenbaugh(and his family!!!!) and his vision for the school and certainly feel honoured to be working with him here. TJ is also assistant pastor at our church here in Lagrange where we are honoured to work along side our beloved friends and mentors, Pastor and Mrs. Farnham.
In October we were invited to Florida to sing at Winkler Road Baptist Church ....we loved this fast trip and the chance again to serve the Lord but most of all we enjoyed renewing a friendship with Pastor Strange, meeting new friends in the church family and getting to see Uncle Cal and Aunt Clara again! 💓
Margie turned 18 this year and is completing her final year of school!! She is looking forward to the removal of her braces in a couple of months, has her full drivers permit and works part time at the Blue Gate Restaurant as a hostess. She is our lead soprano and we love her high high sweet voice!
Melanie turned 17 last month and is also completing her final year of school. She cannot wait to have her braces off in a couple of months, is working on her drivers permit and also enjoys working at the Blue Gate as the queen of the buffet 😏 she is our family pianist and she plays for church as well and we could not function without her!
Carole is in her 15th year and is not really enjoying grade 10 😉 she has had a very hard year with her asthma but right now it is under control and we are learning to trust the Lord 🙏 she is looking forward to working and is fast becoming our family guitarist....she plays for us as well as plays for the kids in children's church. Her quick wit and comments keep us chuckling and indeed she has a gift for making people smile!
Kristen is 13 and moving right along in grade 8...she is taking her older sister Melanie's place as the school secretary for Mel is working most of the time now 😏 She loves to play the piano and dreams of the day when she can play for the family and for church....in January she will be playing the second piano for Wednesday night services and she is excited about that. She continues to make messes all over the house with her creations and active imagination 😏😉 She is growing up fast and is ready to also use her high soprano voice to move her oldest sister out! 😇
Lauren turned 12 this year and is working her way through grade 6..school is not her favourite thing to do but curling up with a good book is! 😏 she is finally starting to grow 😂😍 although I don't thing she'll ever be the largest of the family (so far Kristen appears to be outgrowing us all!!!) but she is just as sweet as she can be (although she has a feisty side so watch out!) 😏 she continues to learn piano, can't wait to get at the flute and likes to colour.
Then...Erica....Rikki as we like to call her.....turned 10 this fall and continues to keep us all hopping and bouncing as the case may be!😂 she tries her hardest to focus on school and is whizzing her way through grade 5.....loves loves animals...has a natural alto voice, likes to sing Daddy's parts and is never still for a moment, well maybe when she falls asleep! 😜
and phew...we made it..or you made it....if you're still here that is!
that's us in a nutshell...ministering in full time service here in Indiana!
Merry Christmas to you!!!!
TJ, Heidi, Margie, Melanie, Carole, Kristen, Lauren and Erica 💕
and Charlie + Lexi!!!!!
