Dear Friends & Family,

Well, here we go--another catch-up letter--sorry!! We'll start with the present, then go forwards and backwards from there. But first a little business: (1) if you don't want to receive this letter, kindly let us know, (2) if you want to be on our e-mail prayer request list and you're not, please send your e-mail address to us, and (3) if you ever have any questions about us or our ministry, don't hesitate to ask!

PRESENT

We are living in Iowa and Michael is traveling full-time reciting, preaching, and teaching. We marvel at all the opportunities that have become available in churches, schools, jails and homes. We are thoroughly blessed by the many acquaintances and friends we're making! Michael is also taking some courses (by e-mail) with Village Schools of the Bible in Minnetonka, MN in anticipation of a teaching opportunity in the Des Moines, IA area.

Mary, Caleb, & Hannah are currently traveling part-time. The rest of the time is taken with homeschooling, church activities, "behind-the-scenes" ministry work, and just the normal day-to-day stuff of life. Caleb is well into his second year of piano lessons, and Hannah began just recently so hearing their plinking is a normal part of our day.

Of course, we can't call ourselves true Iowans unless we talk about the weather--and what a winter we're having!! Mild temperatures and barely any snow. We don't mind the first, but a bit of the latter would be nice--for the view as well as for the moisture. It has been interesting, and one wonders what Spring will bring!

FUTURE

We are anticipating a great 2002! More than half of the year is scheduled. Some are repeat visits and some first-time opportunities. We are thankful for any time that the Word can go out and challenge. Check out our website (address above) for more details on where we are and when. We'd love to see you!

Michael is excited about a new teaching prospect next fall. Village Schools of the Bible, which we mentioned earlier, wishes to plant a school in the Des Moines, IA area. It is a school which has classes in the evenings and on Saturdays, to accommodate the many adults who wish to get a college level Bible education. As it now stands, it looks as if Michael will be teaching a Thursday night class, beginning Fall 2002. If you're interested, please let us know and we'll get the information to you.

Mary has been singing on the Worship Team at church and has been asked to be on the Worship Committee for this year. We have a wealth of musical talent in our home church body, so this involvement should be very enjoyable. She also looks forward to the times when she can minister with Michael and she is learning some new music for those occasions. She's hoping to have a good season of gardening, and we've been trying to make a way to add to the pet population with the addition of a horse.

Caleb will turn 10 this summer, which seems like a milestone, as he'll be over halfway to adulthood! Hannah has just had her 8th birthday and is already an incredible help to Mama. Both of them are looking forward to Georgia in February, a Homeschool Winter Retreat in the area in March, and AWANA Olympics in April. Caleb will probably play baseball again this summer, both will be doing as much swimming as Daddy & Mama will allow, and we're talking about trying soccer next fall.

PAST

This is probably the hardest category to keep brief; there are so many things to share. We were kept busy with chances for ministry once Michael felt his shoulder had recovered enough to travel again. We couldn't even begin to mention all of the ways in which God's Word was used in people's lives.

Even though we were in the States, we still were on staff with International Messengers (I.M.) and were considered on medical leave. In the summer, we made the final decision not to return to Czech Republic, primarily because of God's strong leading to serve Him here in our own country. So we resigned from I.M. and began again the work of "From The Word Ministries" (or FTWM), which was organized in 1994.

We did quite a bit of outdoor work around the house and yard last summer and fall. Even though it isn't ours, it's still rewarding to make improvements. We had an enjoyable time of reunion with Mary's family in August, even though it was VERY hot. We became grandparents for the second time with the birth of Raelyn in August. We've enjoyed visiting our long-time friends as well as making new ones. Thanksgiving and Christmas were filled with good family times and memories. We all turned a year older, making our immediate family's combined age 106.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Travel safety
• Open hearts for the hearers of the Word
• Additional committed prayer partners
• Health insurance decisions

See website Prayer Requests for more...

ITINERARY

Feb 2002
Feb 2	Men's prayer breakfast, Griffin, GA
Feb 3	Concord Baptist Sunday School, Concord, GA (AM service)
Feb 5	T&R Morgan Home Bible Study, Concord, GA
Feb 6	Presbyterian Church, Griffin, GA (PM service)
Feb 10 *	Forest Heights Fellowship, Statesboro, GA (AM & PM services)
Feb 12	T&R Morgan Home Bible Study, Concord, GA
Feb 15	Revelation recitation in an area home, GA
Feb 17 *	Zebulon United Methodist Church, Zebulon, GA (AM service)
Feb 17	Concord Baptist Church, Concord, GA (PM service)
Feb 19	T&R Morgan Home Bible Study, Concord, GA
Feb 20	Fincher United Methodist Church, Meansville, GA (PM service)
Feb 24	Antioch United Methodist Church, Thomaston, GA (AM service)
March 2002
March 3 *	Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, Blairsburg, IA (PM service)
March 9	Calvary Chapel, Wickenburg, AZ (PM service)
March 10	Calvary Chapel, Yarnell, AZ (AM service)
March 17	Phoenix or Flagstaff, AZ area church
March 20	God's Grace Church, Lake Havasu City, AZ (PM service)
March 24	God's Grace Church, Lake Havasu City, AZ (AM service)
April 2002
April 7 *	E. Free Church (Scripture Festival), Johnston, IA (Both AM services & PM service)
April 8 *	E. Free Church (Scripture Festival), Johnston, IA (PM service)
April 9 *	E. Free Church (Scripture Festival), Johnston, IA (PM service)
April 14	Calvary Chapel, Liberty, MO (AM service)
April 21	Carlisle Community Church, Carlisle, IA (AM service)
April 28	Glenwood E. Free Free Church, Glenwood, IA (AM & PM services)
May 2002
May 4	Rockwell City Correctional Facility, Rockwell City, IA (afternoon)
May 5 *	Cambridge Evangelical Free Church, Cambridge, IA (AM & PM services)
May 18	Village Schools of the Bible Seminar, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Des Moines, IA (9 AM - 12:00)
May 19	Forever Changed Ministries, Newton, IA (AM service)

* Mary too

See website Itinerary for more...

And so, that's about it. FTWM is now set up with a bulk mailing permit, which makes it much less expensive to mail to you. So we have no excuses left for not writing more often--and we definitely intend to make this a monthly newsletter so that we can share with you more details from our lives. Please be patient with us as we get that routine back into place. God bless each of you as you love and serve Him.