Dear Friends and Family,

Where do we begin? You haven't heard from us for quite a while, and once again, we're sorry for not doing better. Here is an excerpt from our December letter, which you never received:

Now that a bountiful Thanksgiving is over, we can allow ourselves to anticipate Christmas, especially emphasizing the miracle of Jesus coming to earth as a helpless little human, all because of His great love for each of us. One of our two favorite family traditions is lighting a candle on an Advent Wreath. We found a book to use this year (Jotham's Journey; highly recommend) which has daily readings, instead of just weekly. The other favorite tradition is praying as specifically as we can for the senders of the Christmas cards/letters we receive. So if you send, we will pray! This letter will serve as our only Christmas card to most of you. As much as we would love to write you all personally, we just aren't able to do that.

Please pray for the office staff at International Messengers' headquarters. It is one of the busiest times of their year and they are short-staffed (but looking: any secretary-types out there desiring a move to Clear Lake, IA?). It is intensely frustrating for them not to be as efficient as they are accustomed to being, as when they have enough people to get the work done. So anyway, if you don't hear from us for a while, most of the time it is because our feet are dragging, sometimes it's because IM staff are so swamped they can't get to it in a timely manner. We appreciate your prayers for them.

Ministry

Michael had a wonderful time of ministry in Arizona in early November, participating in services, talking on the radio, and appearing on a Christian cable show. In December, we had uplifting times of ministry in Pocahontas, IA, Scott City, KS, and Indianola, IA. Except for Mary battling some minor illnesses, it was a great month!! January 2, Mary sang special music at First Reformed Church, Sioux Center, IA in the morning and Michael preached at Southern Hills Baptist Church in the evening. Good times there, as well. Thanks to all of you who had parts in providing these opportunities.

Our upcoming schedule is full, as you can see:

• Jan. 9, Metz Community Church, Newton, IA.
• Jan. 16, service at Victory Church, Omaha, NE.
• Jan. 16, evening service at Church of the Harvest, Council Bluffs, IA.
• Jan. 21, service at the Evangelical Free Church of Annandale, Annandale, MN.
• Jan. 23, morning service at Bethel Reformed Church, Sheldon, IA.
• Jan. 28, Michael doing Bible recitation for a home group in the Council Bluffs, IA area.
• Jan. 29, Michael reciting Scripture at Adat Hatikvah Zion (Jewish synagogue), Omaha, NE.
• Jan. 30, morning service at Kamrar Community Church, Kamrar, IA.
• Feb. 6, commissioning service at Indianola Community Church, Indianola, IA.
• Feb. 13, morning service at Calvary Chapel of Chariton, IA.
• Feb. 13, Michael speaking to youth at Johnston Evangelical Free Church, Johnson, IA.

You are ALL invited to attend our commissioning at Indianola on Feb. 6. It should be a great time of sharing, worship, and fellowship; and possibly the last time we can see you before we move overseas. Give us a call if you need times or any other details.

We are almost certain we'll be able to move to Czech in mid-February. Please keep praying for the long-term residence VISA to come through without any problems, for that is what our time-frame is hinged upon. Although we're not quite at full monthly support, any one-time gifts now or anytime can be allocated over the two years we're away, so we're confident God has taken care of that area as well. Look for our new address in the next letter...

We have been very pleased with homeschooling thus far. It was fun and rewarding to concentrate on Thanksgiving, and not turkeys, for November; and on Jesus and giving, rather than presents or Santa Claus, for December.

Although we did more traveling than usual in November, there were less ministry demands, and so we had a chance to fill up some. We especially enjoyed fellowship with the I.M. Advisory Council earlier in the month, and with family over Thanksgiving time. Mary enjoyed a real boost due to her participation in Cursillo, although she didn't get much sleep!! December was busy with ministry, but we were also able to get together with friends and family for Christmas. It was so good to see you!

Prayer Highlights

• For wise decisions in what to pack and what to leave behind.
• That we can make time to fit in all the get-togethers with the special people in our lives (we are blessed with SO MANY!!)
• For adequate rest and spiritual feeding.
• For our VISAs to come through quickly.
• For the remainder of our monthly support needs to be filled.
• For safety in travel and health while we try to keep up with everything.
• That we can efficiently attend to all the details that need to be taken care of before we go.

We pray that as you begin this new year, you will experience God in a fresh and new way; that your year will be full of new beginnings in your relationship with Jesus. God Bless You Big!

On the journey,