Joy-filled Christmas From our Heart to Yours

Life is filled with joys and sorrows.  2014 had us breathing both.

The year began with the sorrow of the death of Elaine's 92 year-old mother. What joy knowing she lives in Heaven where her every breath is joy.

 Lillian Kate (Sam and Katie's firstborn) took our breath away. What joy! What sorrow as her pre-mature body struggled for each breath. Today she thrives! What joy!

With joy, we traveled to Russia and Bosnia where we encouraged International workers to keep breathing and running their race with joy. Elaine spoke to Russian wives and felt joy as three surrendered their lives to Jesus. Dan preached in a St. Petersburg church and gave his testimony at a men's outreach event.

 Elaine rejoices that We All Married Idiots is being translated into Russian, Bosnian, and Spanish. Yet, she sorrows for the hurting marriages around the world.

No sorrow at all when Lucas Solomon (Elizabeth and Joe's seventh child) blessed our world.  

Elizabeth's seven and Joanna's two = ten precious gifts from God.

With joy and sorrow, Dan retired from the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  We breathe ministry and miss people and churches who shared life with us. Yet, we anticipate new doors of ministry God opens for us. Speaking at marriage retreats brings us joy as God breathes life into suffocating marriages.

We love our new home at 8341 State Route 415, Campbell, NY  14821.  (Phone 607-527-6067) We live in the woods where air breathes easy and the joy of the Lord smells sweet among the pine trees. Joanna and Bob, Elizabeth and Joe, and nine grandchildren live nearby and bring great joy to our new life. 

Whether your Christmas is filled with joy or sorrow, we pray you will seek the Baby Jesus and know this precious truth:

"but the angel reassured them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior —yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David....'" Luke 2:10-11

Jesus — a man of sorrows — Who brings great joy to all people. He really will take your breath away as He breathes splashes of serenity and joy into sorrowing spirits.

Joyful Christmas to all,

I'm not a Poet and I Know It. But God Had a Plan When I Married Dan

 

 My goal in life was to marry a plumber

 and live in a house in winter and summer
with white picket fence, not optional.

We would raise our children and treasure our grands,

 attend one church and play in the bands.

 

There was only one problem I didn't foresee.

 I married a man in the U.S. Navy

who knew nothing of plumbing
and seeing the world kept him humming.

 

 Dan saw that military life was not for me

 So we bought our home in the country,

and settled with children numbering three.

 

One beautiful morn God spoke to our hearts

and revealed His plan for our lives.

No more did white picket fences or plumbers entice,

 I would spend my life as a Pastor's wife.

 

 It's been a glorious time
living this life of mine.

 We've loved our life
as Pastor and wife. 

Our homes hold memories galore!
 

We've travelled the world,

 cried and laughed with God's flock,

served til we dropped
without looking at a clock.

 

But now, our life will change in 2014.
 

Dan is retiring and I'm wondering how,

when I know we would never break our vow

to serve and love God til we take our last breath.

 

But God gave me hope and a sweet little verse

that wherever we go,

He's leading the show.
 

You see,

every year in January

 I ask God for a verse that I'll need for that year.

The one He gave in 2014 I'll forever hold dear

and thank God for making our path clear.

 

 

What a splash of serenity

 to know God is in it with me.

So, we'll move in July.

  I hope you'll drop by
 and share some of your life with me.

 

I do see what you are doing Lord.

You won't let us go. 

You're running our show.

Here's what I see:

 

Two new grandbabies due.

Another book to write — maybe two!

Ministry trips to Russia and Bosnia, perhaps Uruguay too!

We All Married Idiots in Spanish will come through,

with hopes of a Russian release. Woo Hoo!

New neighbors to reach.

Lots of speaking to teach

the Way to eternal life.

 

Looking forward to helping marriages with my best friend.

We're already booked to teach a marriage weekend.

 

Disabled veterans hold a place in Dan's heart.

Volunteering at the VA Hospital,

He can't wait to start.

A seminar for elders is a much needed tool.

Dan will be working on this so don't be fooled.

 

We aren't retiring, just following God's plan

He's about to do something new and He already began.

 Isaiah 43:19 is my verse for this year.

I hope you find a scripture you too can hold dear.

Others would love to know
 the verse God gave you
 and how He is leading your show.
 

With apologies to all you poets. Sometimes, I just have to sing!

Serenity Came Down at Christmas

Today I welcome the man who has splashed me with serenity and love for 41 years. Recopied from the C&MA Northeastern District newsletter, may its truth give us cause for pause.

Another Advent season is upon us and with it the joyful
expectation of, and preparation for, the celebration of our Savior’s
birth. This Christmas day as Elaine and I are gratefully recalling the birth
of baby Jesus, we will also be excitedly awaiting the birth of baby Isaac, our eighth grandchild who is due to arrive December 27th. As have our other
grandkids, we know Isaac will light up our lives in wonderful ways.

The light a newborn brings to his family is dazzling but it pales in comparison to the light that came into the world with the birth of Jesus Christ. Though not often regarded as a Christmas hymn, P.P. Bliss’ “The Light of The World” conveys a powerful Christmas message:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The light of the world is Jesus.

The darkness of our sinful world is pervasive. Every day reminders of that
truth come to us through our newspapers, televisions, computers, and smart
phones. Just when we think sin has hit us with its best (worst) shot, some
new headline or news thread reminds us that Satan is as active as ever. He
still prowls around like a lion, looking for someone to devour. Every
depressing, even disgusting, account of his successful attacks reveals how
desperately people need to come from the darkness of their sin into the light of God’s love and mercy through Jesus Christ.

As we all move through this precious season of the year, may our eyes,
minds, and hearts be fixed on Jesus, the light of the world. May our lives and our churches shine the brilliant light of our Savior into the darkness of our world as we remember these darkness-piercing words from Dwight Hall’s
song, “Lord, in This Urgent Hour.”

Millions are lost from Thee,
Great God of Majesty,
Oh, Savior, set them free,
Great God of love.

Lord, let your light shine through us,
Dan