Merry Christmas from the Wooster home to your home!

We rejoice in the time to reflect on God’s gifts to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God gives us each breath to live and provides daily strength. He also offers to each of us eternal life by faith. Taking time to reflect on and rejoice in the past year’s blessings is good medicine for a sick economy. Our desire is to glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Sara & Caleb send greetings from their new townhouse in Harrisburg, PA. Caleb passed his CPA exam and continues the busy work as an accountant for a public accounting firm. This fall he squeezed in some time for hunting and got a nice 8-point buck.

Sara has experimented with some venison recipes and has enjoyed decorating their home. Her work as a Financial Advisors’ Associate also keeps her busy. This year both Sara & Caleb have enjoyed becoming a part of the Mt. Calvary Church family. We are all looking forward to a week together in Colorado over New Years!

Jonathan met and ministered to many people this year. He played the role of “boy” in Shakespeare’s Henry V where the audience was mesmerized by his performance. This summer he was a counselor at camp where he saw the power of God’s Word change lives! In the fall he traveled to the west coast with the BJU music ministry team. Dodging two hurricanes and traveling 16,000 miles, the team presented testimonies, sang, and shared God’s Word with those in 80 churches and schools. We are confident God will use this experience to direct him to a ministry after he completes his studies in a few years.

For Joseph it was a year of recovery from knee surgery. We praise the Lord he had a full recovery and was able to play soccer. He played goalie and was only scored on 4 times in the county, making him the best goalie in his age bracket for the 3^rd year in a row. He spent some time this summer working on Grandpa’s farm and found it is hard work. His sophomore year in high school has included soccer, trumpet, and writing for the school newspaper. He is growing and maturing, and is now 6 ft. tall. Yet, Sara & Jonathan remind him that he is the “little” brother.

Dan continues to teach computer science at Bob Jones University where his students challenge and delight him. The computer science team won first place in the regional competition this fall. This was a year of growth for The Worthwhile Company as they moved to their own building! He also took up motorcycling and loves taking short trips into the mountains on sunny days! He & Jonathan began a journey to visit every major league baseball stadium. This year they hit Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and San Francisco. He & Joseph took in their very first Ohio State Buckeye’s football game!

Karen was delighted to spend some time with Dad following heart surgery in March and his appendectomy in July. I know his legs cause much pain but he continues the work before him. At 79, he is still milking the cows and feeding 1,000 pigs along with the crops. Mom had a new battery in her pace maker and keeps going like the energizer bunny too. Must be where I get the determination.

My days include bookkeeping, paying bills, sending notes of encouragement to many college students, and keeping up with Dan. The flexible schedule allows time to be available for Dan’s Mom who has knee replacement surgery coming up on Jan. 13^th. The Ladies Bible Study and teens at church are also a special opportunity to share God’s Word.

Joy is not the absence of difficulty. It is the delight in my God which gives me the strength for each trial.