This week we celebrated our 19th anniversary... it's been quite the ride! Looking back on our years together we can hardly believe all the places we've been and the things we've done. Like most of you, we could never have imagined that our lives would be like they have been! Wow, God!

We are so blessed by Kevin and Kaleb, the wonderful sons God has given us. We are amazed at the things we've learned and the incredible people we've met. We are thankful for the many people we've worked with in different places. We are humbled by the team that God has given us to stand with us through so many changes and so many journeys.

We celebrated by going out to lunch at our favorite local restaurant. Garry bought me a lazy susan for the table and a full length mirror. He surprised me with flowers. I am married to a truly amazing man... not primarily for the lovely ways he surprises me, but because of his heart for God and the way he cherishes me. I could go on and on, but I can already sense his face turning red!

Over break Kevin has been enjoying riding the motorcycle, particularly since he got some cool gear for Christmas. Kaleb and Garry are making him a light box today so he can improve his animation drawings, his newest idea of fun.

Christmas Day is over, yet the reality of God's greatest Gift, His Son, remains. May we live in constant awareness of His gift though we've taken down the Christmas decorations and opened all our gifts.

At this time of year we miss being at home with family-- and that's a good thing! We miss sharing meals with our parents and siblings. We miss family gatherings. We miss greeting friends at church. Yet we are incredibly privileged to be here, to be involved in what God has called us to.

This is also a time of year when we feel incredibly blessed by our family and friends. We are enjoying the many Christmas letters in our inbox and are amazed at what God is doing all over the world! We shared Christmas dinner with our missionary team here and were blessed by the friendships we share.

Over the past couple of weeks we've had some time with our missionary friends here also. We are excited about the work God is doing among various people groups here. One village has started a school this year and has many students who are learning to read and write. Soon they hope to provide materials for teaching basic math, history, science, and social studies.

One of our works has faced some hard questions lately, and it was the church leaders who asked God for direction and chose to follow Him. One of our locations no longer has foreign missionaries living there, yet the church continues to reach out, teaching and discipling new groups of people. Wow, God!

Kevin turned 16 at the beginning of December and got his learner's permit. He's enjoying driving the motorcycle these days! His injuries are pretty well healed, so he's back to badminton again also. Kaleb has been riding his bicycle as well as making a new model of balsa wood airplane.

Aren't these beautiful! Garry bought them for me in town the other day and I was very impressed. I enjoyed the beauty and the nice smell for nearly a week!

Wow, a lot has happened since I last blogged. I guess that's what comes of too much bookkeeping and too little time to do other things! Thankfully I've finished my end-of-year bookkeeping stuff for the time being.

Garry has spent the last week in the office also, catching up on projects, phone calls, and e-mails. A week of flying requires payback in the form of extra office time the following week. It's been neat to see God work out so many things over the past week as he's talked through a lot of flight program things with different people.

Kevin has spent the last 3 weeks resting because of different injuries. Thankfully he's doing pretty well now, though his wrist is still pretty sore.

Kevin drew this the other day and I thought it was pretty good.

Brian did get back to town with one of the patients. The other spent that night in heaven. Thankfully, the unbeliever survived until the plane got there and is now receiving medical attention in town. The one who passed away was a believer, and his family was glad that he could leave peacefully from home instead of in a hospital if it was his time. Thanks for your prayers for the family.

Garry and Josh did a LOT of flying the first few days of this week. Josh did a great job and will be able to have his checkride and get his more permanent pilot license soon! Brian has also done a lot of flights this week, though several were delayed because of bad weather.

On Friday Garry took the damaged engine to the city to ship it back to the US for repairs. He was really thankful for Terry who met him and helped him through the tangle at the shipping office. I enjoyed riding along!