Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Our Christmas letter and more fun pictures

Greetings Dearest Friends and Family,
This year has been a very busy year for us, but as always we thankful for God’s provision and His amazing grace. The biggest news for us this year is that we have decided to head toward this mission field in 2013. Our goal is to go to the Dominican Republic by next fall. If you would like to know more or receive our support letter please let us know!
Randy has continued to work at the post office this year. He works 6 days a week and about 9 to 10 hours a day. This continues to be a huge adjustment for us, and at times is beyond exhausting but we are exceedingly grateful for God providing him with a job. Being a postman has allowed Randy a lot of i pod time. He has been able to listen through several seminary courses and countless sermons. It has been a year of learning and growth for Randy.
Emilie continues to be at home with the  kids and is homeschooling Autry and Clarabelle. It is a joy for her to be able to spend so much time with our children. She also has learned to sew and has thoroughly enjoyed using this creative outlet in her spare time. Randy and Emilie also started a new program at our church called Kids Corner. It takes place during the second service and is for visiting kids ages 6-8. We have both enjoyed developing a curriculum that preaches the gospel through every story in the bible.
Randy and Emilie were able to go to the Dominican Republic this year and although the first part of the trip was to explore different options for the mission field we were also able to go to the beach for a small vacation. It was  a great time of relaxation and rejuvenation for us after a long year.
Autry continues to be our adventurous, fun loving boy. He will turn 7 at the end of  December and is an avid reader. He is a boy’s boy in every way but he still loves cuddling which makes a mommy’s and daddy’s hearts glad. He loves Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and anything else that includes knights and fighting. His favorite activity besides reading is dressing up in all his knight gear and fighting bad guys in our backyard. He played both baseball and football this year and enjoyed them both.
Clarabelle is 5 and is our resident mother of the house. She takes care of everyone in the house even when they don’t want to be taken care of. She is a very content girl, that loves all her dollies and plays with them for hours daily. Clarabelle  is a kind hearted girl and is passionate about telling her younger siblings about Jesus. She is doing gymnastics this year and is becoming quite the athlete.  
Adelaide turned 4 this year and is our sweet girl or Daddy’s baby as she likes to be called. Adelaide loves to be with her family and loves playing with her big sister and doing everything Clarabelle does. She is a joy to be around.  She loves crafts, puzzles, and playing memory. Adelaide also is doing gymnastics this year and loves it.
Gibson enjoys being the family’s comic relief. He is 2 and constantly makes us laugh with his antics and funny personality. He is a bundle of energy and loves playing with his brother and sisters.  He talks non stop and loves telling knock, knock jokes.
I hope this letter finds you well and it is our hope and prayer that you may all know and cherish the sweet grace of God in the upcoming year.




Christmas cookies!



Gibson wanted nothing to do with getting in the picture

Santa snuck in

Getting our tree



Waiting to  go find their stockings


HOoray, we are looking for our stocking

Addie found hers

Autry's was in the dishwasher

Yes! A Russel Wilson jersey!
(This was his favorite present, like father like son)

We went to the new aquarium on Christmas day. Claire is not
to sure about the Moray Eel. 

Trying to pet a sting ray

Gibson was trying his hardest to touch it

and he finally got it!