Christmas Letter and my wish for you

While 2006 has offered certain hardships for our family, at the very same time and even more importantly, it has been brimful of laughter, love, and new beginnings.

In the spring of this year, Matt caught wind of a tremendous opportunity to position himself for owning a large dairy farm through transitional farming.
While the position was three hours away and caused us to uproot ourselves, it was too good to be true and thus, on the wings of anticipation we flew.

About that same time, joy was born anew with the birth of our second child; first son, Andrew Leigh. Only a few weeks after birth and a few days after baptism, we packed up and shipped out.
Destination: the golden fields of Tyrone, PA.

Soon enough though, it was made clear that indeed, the plan WAS too good to be true and we were faced with some serious decisions. The Lord was gracious and merciful to us in this time of weakness, abounding in love as only He can do. Matt began to look for other work and before he could blink an eye, a new opportunity had arisen. There is great comfort in finding work while still employed (and out of desperations’ grasp). It helps too, when said work meets other more inconsequential expectations…the frosting is often the best part of the cake, after all.

The new job is just five miles down the road, working for a 2200 cow dairy farm…Yes! That is Twenty Two HUNDRED cows! His job will be focusing on parlor and reproduction management as well as overall cow health and he will be starting work about the time you will be reading this card! We fervently pray that this job will be a good match for him and are excited at the prospects.

Meanwhile~ the children are sprouting and my hands grow more nimble by the day!

Corynn delights us with her endless expressions-both audible and non. There is nothing so sweet as her random hugs and declared “I love you so’s”.
She is so eager for knowledge; my only problem now is keeping up!

The boy who was a fleck just months ago has become a flame, lighting our lives each day with his open-mouthed grins and insatiable curiosity. His affections never wane and I never tire of reciprocating.

So, while the whole ‘job thing’ has been just what we expected...an adventure… One thing is for sure, we have been blessed beyond measure with the truest things of God.

Someone once said:

What is home?
“A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, and comradeship. Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it!”

And He has.

May each of you, our dear friends, be blessed in this coming year with the essence of a true home and might you realize to whom be the glory and honor. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!