Merry Christmas

May we celebrate Christ! His person, His coming, and His life are all such gifts that need much contemplation daily. This time of year enables us to focus more deeply on Christ's actual coming to Earth. The dirty birth and lack of "necessities"are things that I never think about, except for Christmas time. May this scene truly capture our attention again! 

August and Next Came September

August
was a hot month, but enjoyable. Mark purchased and started putting up a wooden picket fence to finish enclosing our back yard. A completely fenced in back yard will be such a treat with a household of (soon to be six) children. Yes, we are still living in the basement apartment of our siblings house. We love how the Lord has worked this out. After Mark and Jason's parents visit in July, we have buckled down on house projects in preparation for baby Emmaline's birth.

     Mark is still teaching the college sunday school class at Fourth Baptist and we had a wonderful weekend together with them at Camp Clear-Waters. Most of the college students went back to various out of state colleges, but we still have a great group that faithfully attends. We hope to band together encouraging one another in the truth of God's Word. Our mission statement is something we pray will be exemplified in each life.

 "Our desire is to intentionally pursue the fullness of Christ through a deeper understanding of and maturity in the truths of the gospel, through unity and accountability with fellow believers, and through a demonstration of the love of Christ."

      August 26, was mark and Jason's birthday. Also, it is time for the Minnesota State Fair.

    Ian is an absolute blast to watch. At 15 months, his mechanical mind is just spinning. He will work at and study something for the longest time. He loves keys and tries to open everything with them. He has been pretty quiet up to this point enjoying watching his cousins.

Fall

The fence mark has worked so hard on...



Leaves we've been raking...



Ian's costume...



Birthday date with honey...



Ian pretending he is sleeping beside Mark...



Playing in leaves at grandparent while in Illinois...



Almost here-Emmaline!



- Posted by Amy

Dude, Dough, Darlin', and Deputation

 Thankful!  Joyful giggles, stolen pacifiers, increased dexterity, and almost sleeping throughout the night are things for which to be thankful.  We are blessed! Also, we are anxiously awaiting our next step toward the mission field. The VIP of our future plans to visit the Philippians will be joining us here in MN for an update and to answer many questions. We couldn't be more happy to hear him explain important details to us about the trip he has just made there and the building progress that is well underway. 

Ian's first time playing with play dough.

Emmaline sporting one of Grandma "B's" beautiful headbands

Emma's new arrangement

He LOVES working with his hands on little projects. At 211/2 months his favorite toys are his tools from Aunt Beth and Uncle Jason. He fixes everything around the house. :) 

another favorite!