December 30, 2011 Pictures

Update - Dec 30, 2011

Greetings once again, to you all, in the precious name of our Redeemer;

                 Happy New Year to you!  Perhaps this coming year we will hear the shout and be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.  But while we wait to hear His sweet voice may we be about His business for His glory.

                  It is hard to believe that another year is about to close.  It has been a challenging year in many respects, but also a another year in which the Lord has blessed and encouraged our souls.  This time last year we were anticipating our trip to Korea to minister to the saints there.  What a blessing that was.  It was a year full year of conferences, home bible studies, speaking engagements, and bible school sessions.  I just pray that the Lord will used His word in the hearts of those who heard, and that genuine change for good will be the lasting result. 

                 This week I was given the privilege to speak at a youth conference here in Baguio hosted by the Navy Base assembly.  Eighty five young people along with several elders and workers from assemblies in the North were in attendance.  It was a lively group of young people and we enjoyed hearing their special numbers and presentations.  I spoke on the theme of “Looking unto Jesus”. They were such an attentive group and I very much enjoyed sharing with them a few thoughts out of Hebrews 12.  I trust the Lord will use it for the encouragement and challenge of these young disciples of Christ.  The message was followed by a nice meal and then fun and games in the afternoon  I am told by the time the conference was over it was like no one wanted to go home.  Such a blessing. 

 

                On Christmas day I spoke at the Navy Base assembly.  We met to remember the Lord, and then went straight into the preaching time after a few songs.  I was a nice way to remember the “Word which became flesh and dwelt amongst us”.  It is wonderful to remember that He still dwells in our midst.  

                The week before the assembly at Navy Base celebrated their 36^th year in the building they now occupy.  That was a wonderful time of celebration of the faithfulness of God.  The youth choir sang, the children performed special numbers and the adult choir sang the Hallelujah chorus and did a wonderful job.       Then we all enjoyed a meal together and in the afternoon met together once more for a time of singing praise unto our Lord.  A truly blessed day.

                This week I will be speaking at the Anniversary Sunday down in Baguio Gold.  I plan, Lord wiling, to share some thoughts on the Faithfulness of our God, out of Lamentations 3.  This will begin a short series on that subject for the two Sundays a month that I speak down there.   Then next Lord’s Day we will begin that last semester of bible school classes on Ecclesiology there as well.  Once that is complete we will begin all over again with a new series of bible school lessons on Eschatology, beginning Lord willing sometime in February at Navy Base.  So please keep these things in your prayers.

                May the Lord richly bless you in the coming year. May He comfort and encourage us all through struggles that will come, may He cause our heart to soar with delight at gems discovered in His precious word, may He teach us and train us in righteousness, may He discipline us when it is necessary, and may we by this time next year have experienced  real growth in our walk and relationship with Him.   

Update - November 30, 2011

Greetings to you all once again in the precious and peerless name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has “…ascended on high (and) led captivity captive and gave gifts to men”.  What a gracious victorious Savior we serve.

We completed the last local Bible School semester at Navy Base, a couple of weeks ago, on the Church.  It was a profitable series, for which we thank the Lord.  Next we will begin a new series on Eschatology which will deal with issues of hermeneutics as well as future events.  This new series of 40 hours of lessons will begin sometime in the new year, Lord willing.   We still have a semester  of Ecclesiology to teach down at Baguio Gold, which will begin in January.  This has also produced some good fruit in the assembly there.  It is such a blessing to see men and women following the written word with conviction in their hearts.

The weekly home bible studies are producing some long prayed for results as well, which gives us much to praise our Lord for.  In two of the studies those in attendance are now in fellowship at the assembly at Navy Base.  It is something we have been praying about for a long time.   These daily evening studies are a blessing, many of them are evangelistic in nature, and the remainder of them seek to build up the saints.  We are thankful for the opportunities the Lord has provided.

The women from the assembly at Navy Base enjoyed a women’s conference down in Malolos Bulucan last week.  One of the women who attended was from one of the weekly bible studies.  It was her first time to attend such a conference and she was blessed, as were the others.  We are just so thankful to the Lord for the fruit that His Spirit is producing in the hearts of men and women.  The men’s conference in Pangisanan is this coming Saturday and several of the men are planning on making the trip down.  We pray it will be a profitable time.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.  We believe in prayer.  We believe that the results and fruit that we have been experiencing lately are a result of your prayers.  May the Lord continue to bless you as you lift up His work here in Baguio.

Update - October 13, 2011

Greetings to you all, once again, from Baguio City in the Cordillera Mountains of Central Luzon.  I never tire of the beauty of the mountains here.  Often times the clouds are drifting through the valleys or covering the peaks of the ranges and providing wonderful scenery wherever you look.  It reminds me time and again of Psalm 121, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.  He will not allow your foot to slip,  He who keeps you will not slumber….”  How wonderful to be reminded of His great faithfulness.  We have experienced His faithfulness over and over, as you all have.  It is wonderful to be able to lift up our eyes and call out to the LORD God Almighty and use the terms, Abba Father. 
     This past month we made two trips down to Manila.  Both were experiences we did not expect.  Most of you know that we were called down to Immigration for a hearing on the extension of our visa.  We travelled down the day before Typhoon Pedring crossed the Island of Luzon and dumped lots of rain which caused extensive flooding.  Well in the midst of that we were driving down to Manila in order to keep our appointment at immigration.  We got to within a half a block of Roxas Avenue on Manila Bay when the flooding became so great we had to turn our car around and begin to find another route to the other side of town.  Each turn we made put us into deeper and deeper water, at some turns we could see people walking in water up to their waists.  While navigating a road with water up over my wheels, we received a call saying that the government offices had closed.  So we navigated our way back toward high ground.  It was a good feeling to finally be able to see ground beneath my tires.  The following day we had to once again return to Manila where we were ushered into the room of an immigration attorney who asked us several questions, among them “What are the four gospels?, and name eight of the twelve apostles”.  I guess we passed the test, as our visa was approved.  We are praying that we will be granted at least two more years. 
     Following our interview at immigration we were able to travel home for a few days before heading back down to Manila once again to attend a CMPI retreat for expat missionaries.  This is held down South of Manila.  Between the time of our arrival home and our trip down another CAT 4 Typhoon passed directly over Baguio and dumped more rain.  The drive down to Manila took us over some roads that were completely covered with water and flowing rapidly like a river. But the Lord brought us safely through.  The drive from Manila to Laguna took us another five hours. But the time spent with our missionary colleagues, from Wednesday through Saturday, was a good time of fellowship and encouragement.  We arrived back in Baguio on Monday morning of the following week and this time all the roads were clear.
      The home bible studies are continuing along quite well, for which we thank the Lord.  The Go family really missed the study on the two weeks we were away.  They said; “It was too long, we really missed not having you over to study God’s word”.   I taught the Tuesday study, the Wednesday study and will teach the Friday night study as well this week, which is about normal for me.  This week I will speak only once on Sunday up at Mines View, it will be our last Sunday before beginning the bible school anew at the Navy Base Assembly.   So following this Lord’s Day we will have five consecutive Sunday afternoons of bible school.  This will be the final semester for the assembly there as we finish up our study of the church.
       My preparations for Special Studies are coming along slowly.  I will be teaching four sessions of two hours each on The Family in the Church.  I am praying that it will be a good series of messages that will encourage the saints who are able to attend.  I am also preparing for a youth conference that I will be speaking at in December.  So lots to keep me busy.  
      Thank you all so much for your prayers.  I do enjoy  hearing from you.  When you have a chance drop me a line on FB or via email.  It would be wonderful to hear from you and to know that you are praying.

August 29, 2011 Update

Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior.  I want to thank those of you who actually take the time to read through these updates and to pray for the Lord’s work here .  We covet your prayers.  Things at times can be discouraging and I believe it is your prayers that keep us focused on what things are of eternal value and what things are temporal and passing away.  The scriptures never cease to amaze me.  The portions that the Lord will use sometimes to encourage sometimes surprise us.  Recently the Lord spoke to my heart out of Psalm 73.  It was a good lesson to be reminded of.  The closing verses say:  “Whom have I in heave but thee?  And besides thee, I desire nothing on earth….but as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge…”

This past week a Category 5 super typhoon made a pass at the Philippines.  It skirted the western edge of North Luzon, the main island, and then made land fall on the northern tip of the island. We experienced strong winds and heavy drenching rains here in Baguio and as a result flooding, landslides, and some road cuts.  Electricity was out across the entire region for a while but was restored rather quickly.  Some of the saints from the assemblies here experienced some flooding in their homes, and a landslide near- by one brought some mud inside, but over-all it was not as bad as it could have been and we are thankful.  Some meetings and studies were cancelled as a result of the heavy rains so we hope to get things back on track this week.

The bible school classes down in Baguio Gold will resume again this Sunday.  We began a couple of weeks ago, but the storm caused the cancelation of this weeks class.  We are currently studying the roles of men and women in the New Testament assembly, then we will take up the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

The next couple of month’s schedule is rather full.  So please keep us in your prayers.  With the weekly studies, Sunday speaking, bible school and preparation for upcoming events I find myself spending many hours in my office in preparation, which I enjoy so very much.

There are so many needs around us. Please be praying for the Lord’s provision.  And thank you all once again for your prayers. 

July 29 Update - Safely Back in Baguio

We arrived back in the Philippines on Tuesday evening (July 26^th) and we travelled up to Baguio on Thursday morning.  We were unaware, when we left Manila, that the typhoon that was tracking in the direction of the Visayan Islands veered north and came right across Baguio on Wednesday afternoon and evening.  As we traveled up we were noticing a lot of flooding in the lowlands, and then there were several landslides and downed trees along Kennon Rd, the main road we travel up the mountain.  But they were already actively clearing the roads and we had no delays.  It is nice to be home, but we are very tired and in need of time to recuperate. For some reason we are not dealing with the jet lag as well this time as we normally do.

     Our time at home was a very mixed bag of joyful occasions and very sad times.  It was nice to be introduced to our new granddaughter Anna.  Abby gave birth to Sharon Anna a few days before we arrived in Chicago so it was very nice to have almost three weeks with them all.   Then we were all together for a few days in June for Rachel’s wedding.  It was a beautiful time.  The weather was perfect that day, after several days of rain.  Even the morning of the wedding it was overcast and drizzly and it appeared as if it might be another rainy day.  But in late morning it began to brighten, and by about one o’clock the sun was out, and it was a beautiful day, for which we thank the Lord. Our special thanks to Elaine Littlehales for putting us up for those weeks, even though we arrived a few days ahead of schedule and she was not expecting us for several more days.   We enjoyed our time with her so very much.

      The love of the saints is so overwhelming to us. One dear family rented a car for us to use the whole time we were in Connecticut, it was such a blessing!!  Others had us over for meals and fellowship and we thank each of you.  It was so nice to be able to visit with the saints at several assemblies in CT, thank you all so very much for the warmth of your love to Joyce and me. 

     Following the wedding we travelled down to Florida to visit with Joyce’s folks and enjoyed our time there. It was good to be with the saints at Hiawassa Bible Chapel once again.  But our time was cut short by the sudden death of my cousin’s son.  My cousin is also my best friend and has been for so many years, that we wanted to be there for him and his wife during this difficult time.  We were able to change our tickets and travel up for the funeral services.  Special thanks to Xavier and Elizabeth as well for taking us in and showing us such Christian hospitality, and for the use of their car for the whole time we were there. 

     It was hard to leave everyone behind again.  Kim and Larry and the grandkids are on a year furlough so we will miss having them here in Manila this year.  Abby and Daniel remain in the Chicago area for another year while Daniel works on his second masters program.  Rachel and her husband Ian have purchased a house in Connecticut and will continue to live and work in that area.  We will miss them all.

     We should be back into our regular routine by next week, Lord willing.  I have a CMPI board meeting scheduled for next Saturday so we will have to make the trip back down to Manila again next week.  We will drive down on Friday and back on Saturday afternoon since I will be speaking here in Baguio on that Sunday.  There are a few new bible studies that have started over the last couple of months, we are praying about where the Lord would use me in regards to these new studies.  I have a full Sunday morning speaking schedule for the next several months and we will be seeking to finish up the bible schools on ecclesiology over the next couple of months as well, both at the Navy Base assembly and at the assembly in Baguio Gold.  So please keep these things in your prayers.

     It is evident to us that we must seek to replace our old car.  It is a 1991 Mitsubishi Pejero (Montero) that has served us well these last few years. It has been a real work horse, but it is getting rather old and the maintenance is getting more and more frequent.  And with the many trips we take we really need a vehicle that we can depend on. We have been reluctant to make any trips across the mountains to Sagada for this reason, and we do have to travel back and forth to Manila and to meetings in the lowlands and lately this has been a concern.  We do not know what the Lord has in store, so please keep this in your prayers as well.  

     Thank you all so very much for all your prayers, they do mean so very much to us.  We would love to hear from you as well.  Just drop us a short note via our email address.  It would be such an encouragement to us. 

April 28, 2011 The Latest from Baguio

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” 

 


A simple verse but one that take many experiences in life to fully appreciate.  These last couple of months have been difficult ones in many ways.  But the Lord has been our strength and He is teaching us that we can do all things through Him.  Thank you all so very much for your prayers for I believe that they very often sustain us. 

This past Lord’s day  I had the opportunity to speak twice at an anniversary Sunday down in Balaybuayan, Pangisanan. Meetings began at 9 with breaking of bread followed immediately by the teaching time.  I spoke on “Looking unto Jesus” in the morning session.  Following lunch there were several special numbers sung by groups from the various assemblies in the area which were quite enjoyable.  I spoke, a bit too long I fear, on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 sharing the need to give up our rights for the sake of others and the gospel.  I trust the Lord will use His word to encourage and challenge His people.

Last week I spoke down in Baguio Gold.  It was nice to be able to visit them once again.  The road was finally opened the week before, so it was good to be able to drive down once again.  This coming Sunday I will speak there again before we head down to Manila.   I was also able to finish the third semester of bible school at Navy Base last Lord’s day.   Unfortunately I was unable to finish the entire course, so we will pick it up again in a few months.  

The home bible studies were cancelled last week, due to Holy Week,  with the exception of the one I teach on Tuesday nights.  I am very much encouraged by this study as the family seems to be really appreciating the Word and enjoying the times together. 

I had the privilege to speak again this year at a camp on Wednesday of this week.  It is a Care Channel’s sponsored camp for young people.  It was quite enjoyable to see all the young people singing and listening to the word of God taught.  Then I shared a short devotional in the evening at the prayer meeting at Navy Base. 

This coming Sunday we will have a baptism and assembly outing down at the Hiding Place on Marcos Highway,  a resort owned and operated by one of the families from the assembly.  It is always a good time of fellowship.  Following the meetings on Sunday morning we will all drive down and spend the afternoon together.  

Next Friday (May 6^th) Joyce and I will travel down to Manila to help Kim and Larry pack up their home for their up coming furlough.  It is really hot in Manila this time of year.  I was just checking yesterday and saw that it was 97 degrees, with a heat index of 107.  Not looking forward to being in that heat, but looking forward to seeing the Keating family.  On May 11^th we will travel home to the States for a brief visit.  Our youngest daughter Abby is giving birth to their first sometime in early June, then our oldest Rachel, will be getting married on June 25^th.  So it will be a busy but enjoyable time at home.

For those who have been praying, Maria’s home is in much better shape now than it was a few months ago. I think it is ready now to face the rainy season.  We were able to replace all the roofing sheets with new corrugated metal sheets, and the inside floor has been cemented, so they are now off the dirt floor. We are currently seeking to put in a new “septic” and toilet area for the family since the other is not covered over an unusable.  

Barney, the woman I wrote to you about from one of our Friday evening studies, has had the testing done that she needed and we are thankful to report that no surgery will be needed at this time.  She is on meds to clear up an infection.  Thank you for praying for her.   The needs remain great in many families, but the Lord is faithful and is supplying according to His will and purpose and so we give Him thanks.

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to read these updates and for your prayers.  They do mean so much to us. 

March 26, 2011 Update

“For whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear with out a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.  Who bring good tiding of good things!”  But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Isaiah says, “Lord who has believed our report?”  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Rom 10:13-17

I am not certain of how beautiful our feet are but the gospel is being preached. Most of the home bible studies which are on going, at this point, are evangelistic in nature.  The gospel is being proclaimed. Some hear and receive, some hear and reject, but nevertheless the gospel is being preached and in this we rejoice.  Currently there are home studies on Tuesday-Saturday evenings,  with some of those day having more than one, and now another one has been requested for Monday.  So we would covet your prayers as the gospel goes forth that souls will be saved and brought into fellowship at the assembly. 

This Sunday at Navy Base we will be having a singspiration.  We have missed the last few singspirations due to commitments at the other assemblies, but this week we are free and will be able to attend.  It is always a joy to sing praises to our wonderful Lord.  And the voices at Navy Base are beautiful and the choir will probably have a number prepared to share, which will be a blessing.

The road down to Baguio Gold has been closed since last Saturday due to repairs.  It will reopen on April 14^th,  so I have been unable to get down to speak and will not be able to do so until the third Sunday of April.  We had hoped to be begin the second semester of bible school with them before we head home to the States in May, but now it looks like we may have to delay that until we arrive back. 

I spoke in Tarlac a few weeks back and very much enjoyed the time with the saints there.  This work was started by Cyril Brooks back in the 60s and continues to bring honor and glory to our savior.  Their new building is providing them an excellent venue for their meetings.

The last week of April I will be speaking down in Pangisanan at an anniversary Sunday.  It will be nice to see the saints there again.

Next Lord’s Day we will finish up the third semester of bible school at Navy Base on the subject of ecclesiology. 

We are heading home to the States on May 11^th.  It will be a busy summer for us.  Our daughter Abby will give birth to their first sometime in early June, and Rachel will be married on June 25^th.   Following those wonderful events we plan, Lord willing, to visit with Joyce’s folks in Florida before returning to the Philippines in mid July.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and support of the Lord’s work here in Baguio.  It is such a blessing and a privilege to be here among so many wonderful believers. 

Update - February 17, 2011

Things here are going well for which we praise the Lord.  I keep busy at my studies and preparations.  Last week we began teaching the third “semester” of classes on Ecclesiology for the assembly at Navy Base.  This week we began a two part lesson on Teaching in the local assembly.  During the summer this past year someone very graciously gave me a video projector which I was able to put to good use. It is nice to have this new tool for teaching the word.  It sure beats all my chicken scratching on white board. It ran so very smoothly, and I am thankful. 

The home bible studies seem to be going well.  Currently there are four bible studies on going in the old Navy Base just outside of the chapel neighborhood.  This is encouraging as it is near by the chapel.  One of the women from these studies is also now attending meetings on Sunday morning.  Please pray that we would see fruit as well from the other studies.  I have been teaching one of the Friday studies over the past couple of weeks and will likely continue to teach that one as the Lord allows.  The others studies are being taught by local brethren.   

This week I return to Baguio Gold to continue a series on 2 Timothy.  We will be teaching twice in the morning.  The work there continues to have some difficulties and would certainly appreciate your prayers.  They are a wonderful group of saints but are in need of encouragement.  Some more work has been done on Maria’s home and we are thankful for that.  A new concrete floor has been poured and through the kindness of others we should be able to finish up the needed work this coming month.  It is a humble home, but at least she and her children now have a roof over their heads. 

            This past week Joyce had a full body bone scan to check for any cancer in her bones as well as to seek to discover the source of some of the pain she has been experiencing.  All the tests came back with good results for which we praise the Lord.  No cancer was detected, just her arthritis which is from head to toe.  But we were already aware of that and it came as no surprise.  Her blood work was all perfect and the doctor was very pleased with the results of all her tests.  I visited my cardiologist as well this week with similar results.  All my blood work was good and my meds for my heart have been lowered once again.  My heart sounded strong and without any irregularities for the third visit in a row.  We are so very thankful.  So it looks like we both have a few more miles left in us. 

Thank you all so very much for all your prayers and support of the Lord’s work here.  May the Lord richly bless you. 

Korea Trip January 25, 2011

Greetings to you all once again.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read these short updates.  It is such an encouragement to us to know that you are praying for the Lord’s work here among us.  And as I view the sitemeter and see people visiting from all over the country and around the world it is such an encouragement.  Special thanks to those who frequently have dropped us a short note of encouragement, it really does mean the world to us.

Our visit to Korea (Jan 6-18) was a wonderful, but busy time.  I spoke fifteen times in twelve days, and there was never a dull moment as we shuffled between different assemblies and special breakfasts, lunches and dinners.  We were treated with such kindness and warmth.  The women’s conference went well, for which we thank the Lord.  We trust that the words shared will continue to be an encouragement to those dear saints who attended.  The location of the conference in the mountains of Southern South Korea was absolutely beautiful.  It was quite cold for us since when we left the Philippines the temperatures were in the upper 80s and when we arrived in Korea the temperatures were in the single digits, a 70 degree difference.  And there was snow!!  Something we have not seen in several years.  We stayed in different homes almost every night, and enjoyed the hospitality of the saints.  Thank you to all my new Korean friends for all that you did for us.  And a special thanks to brother Song who traveled with us and translated all the messages for me with the exception of one.  It was good to get to know such a good servant of the Lord. 

We arrived back in the Philippines late night on Tuesday the 18^th, and stayed in the Manila area until Friday the 21^st when we finally traveled home to Baguio.  How nice it was to be home again.  This past Lord’s day I spoke at Navy Base.  This Wednesday night I will also speak there and Lord willing attend two bible studies on Friday.  Then Sunday we will be down in Baguio Gold to speak at two meetings.  We plan to begin the next session of Bible School at Navy Base on the second Sunday of February.  Next week we will travel back down to Manila for a CMPI board meeting on Saturday the 5^th and will remain in Manila over the weekend, returning on Monday. 

Last night a group from one of the assemblies in Pangisanan paid us a visit.  It was nice to meet them.  They are from the assembly where I taught at the men’s conference in early December.  They came to invite me to speak in April at their anniversary Sunday, which I was happy to do. 

Thank you all for all your prayers and support.  May the Lord continue to bless you in your service for Him.  

Korea Pics January 2011

Happy New Year!! January 1, 2011

Greetings to you all and Happy New Year!  The Lord has faithfully brought us through another year, praise be to His name.  The year was full of new challenges and blessings for which we give Him thanks.  Thank you all for your prayers for us over the past year, they have sustained us and encouraged us. 

 

Last month was a full month for which we give Him praise.  Both Men’s Conferences went well and we trust the Lord will use His word to bless and challenge the lives of those men who were able to attend.  At the conference in Pangisanan I was given the opportunity to speak for two hours in the morning and another two hours in the afternoon.  At the conference in Bulucan I was the first speaker on Tuesday, so we drove down from Baguio in the early morning and back again in the afternoon.  Larry Keating, my son in law, was able to join me for the trip which was nice. The anniversary celebrations at Navy Base, Dau, and Baguio Gold also went well.  The celebration in Dau had about 300 or so in attendance and I spoke both in the morning and the afternoon.  It was the 50^th anniversary of the work there, what a testimony to the faithfulness of our Savior.  The celebration at Navy Base was such a blessing, as there were several special numbers and in the afternoon a cantata celebrating the birth of Christ.  I spoke in the afternoon on “Making room for the Lord Jesus in our lives”.   Last week we celebrated with the saints down in Baguio Gold.  Our daughter Kim, her husband Larry, Larry’s mother Debbie and our grandkids were able to join us to remember our Lord and celebrate with the saints.  We trust the words that were shared were an encouragement to all. 

This coming Thursday, January 6^th Joyce and I will be heading to Korea for a women’s conference that I will be speaking at.  It is quite cold in Korea this time of the year and I am sure we will be freezing.  But I trust the fellowship of those dear saints will warm our hearts.  We arrive on the 6^th and stay until the 18^th.  Please keep these speaking engagements in your prayers. 

 

Kim, Larry, Debbie and the grandkids were able to come up to Baguio for Christmas.  It was a wonderful time.  It was nice for them to escape the heat of Manila for a few days.  Having family close by is such a blessing especially during the holidays.   

The great holiday news for us was the engagement of our oldest daughter Rachel to Ian Merrit.  Ian and Rachel met at work and began dating about a year ago.  We are excited for the both of them and trust the Lord will bless and encourage them.  A summer wedding is being planned.   

Also our youngest daughter Abby and her husband Daniel are expecting an addition to their family in early June.  We are so excited for the both of them. 

May the Lord bless you in this new year.  Perhaps this year we will hear a shout and be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.  Perhaps this will be the year of our home calling.  Even so Come Lord Jesus.