Around our Thanksgiving table, it was encouraging to hear our boys share what they have been thankful for this year. They all mentioned the schools they’ve been attending, the friends they’ve made, and the sports teams they’ve been on. We told them that there have been many people praying for them in each of these things, so thank you for being a part of their lives through your prayers!
LUKE completed his soccer season and learned a lot from a skilled coach. He then tried out and made his school’s basketball team. He also tried out for the All-City and All-Region bands and made 1st chair trumpet in the City band and 10th chair in the Regional one. Having success in these things has given him a boost in this still “new” environment.
(Luke with the ball)
JOEY completed his club soccer season and just made his school’s varsity soccer team. All he really wanted to do on our furlough was play soccer, so it’s been encouraging to see how God has provided both opportunities and funds for him to do that.
(Joey’s club soccer team – the Texas Spurs. Joey is back row second from the left)
GRANT was able to come home from school and join us for Thanksgiving. It was so nice to see him again. It is good to see the ways he is maturing, and how God is helping him adjust and find some good friends at John Brown University.
I told everyone at Thanksgiving that I’m thankful that God has brought me through these past six months! Life was busy and stressful with end of the school year activities, packing up, traveling for two months, and getting settled here in the States. Although we’re “settled”, I am realizing that coming back to the U.S. after being gone for five years has its difficulties and challenges. I’m thankful that God is with me in the midst of it all.
JOHN has been busy at the translation desk, completing the check of a number of books for the Fataleka translation, taking time off every now and then to run to Starbucks with me or watch a movie :).
COMING UP:
We are entering a full but fun month of December, with a week-long visit from my wonderful in-laws, and then a lot of other extended family coming at Christmas.
PRAYER:
- Thankful that John was able to finish his check of a number of books for the Fataleka NT
- Thankful for the boys’ good adjustment to life in the U.S.
- My foot is still not any better so I would appreciate your continued prayers
- That we would remember that God is with us and for us as we continue to live and serve here in America this year
johnandbrena 
Brena and John,
It is so good to hear of answered prayers. Seeing your boys adjusting well and thriving in their new environments must be a huge blessing for you guys … and for them, of course.
Blessings in December. Can’t wait to hear the next report of God’s hand in your lives.
Doug H
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thanks for your encouragement, Doug!
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Thanks for the great report of resettling. Dan
Sent from my iPhone
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Loved your report, done beautifully as always! And so much looking forward to our coming visit! God has certainly been at work answering prayer!
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Thanks, Mom. Looking forward so much to our time together.
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such a good letter! and especially ( since I had a granddaughter in orchestra and band) that Luke made first chair!!! Have a great peaceful Christmas, beloveds. Brena, I just went to Denver and the Rockies and sprained my ankle on a slippery street, so we are twins in the foot department. I pray for your healing. love, Betsy
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So sorry about your foot. Boy, it’s so easy to take for granted good health when you have it! I’ll pray for you as you pray for me. Love you.
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ha! i was just thinking how nice to be next to my good friend, betsy, in the comments section, then i realized i am also in the foot problem section with the both of you. i love to walk for exercise but my foot has been sore for the last 10-12 days and i have had to rest it. will pray for you and betsy every time a feel a shot of pain!! i was in the band and orchestra as a trumpeter both in jr high and HS, so I too am impressed with Luke’s quick rise in the sections. i like your email format and will use it as a prayer guide for you all.
Merry Christmas!
psailhamer
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Didn’t know that about you being a trumpeter AND your foot problem. Sorry about your foot, and nice that you can relate with Luke. Do you still play? And thanks for your prayers, Paul. You are a great encouragement to us.
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Once again it was nice to hear your news, Brena. Yes, soo many blessings, to many to count! Do have a wonderful month of December!!
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thanks, Aunt Evelyn!
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Great letter! so good to hear everyone is settling in well and there have been good experiences for everyone. Glad to hear that Grant is doing well at JBU. Alaina’s best friend from Peru graduated from JBU last May and her husband graduated from JBU last Christmas.
We enjoyed having Matthew and Alaina home for Thanksgiving and look forward to Christmas with the two of them again and hope that Alaina’s boyfriend can join us for a few days over the break. Alex won’t be able to come home from Capernwray until January, so we will miss her but are glad for the 2 weeks she will be with us in January and are praying and saving towards a trip to visit her in September when she finishes her year working at Capernwray.
Love to you all, chris
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