Christmas Time Has Past...A New Year Begins: Our Time Stateside

We (Hunter and I) have enjoyed a season in the states with family and friends. We arrived on Christmas night, 3 hours late and were beyond exhaustion. Our delay in Chicago was a difficult one to bear; I laughed as onlookers gazed a critical eye toward the parent who allowed her toddler to run in circles from delirium...if they only knew.... Hunter awakened promptly at 5:30 and informed me that he was done sleeping (this was 12:30 in the afternoon for him). We celebrated family Christmas on the 26th, and taught Hunter the joy of giving (this is a difficult concept for a 3 year old) Chris joined us in St. Louis for 2 days before going to Tennessee. Keeping busy and traveling from state to state allowed us time as a family in the car, and Hunter experienced, for the first time, the joy of "pit stops with shopping" at The Cracker Barrel.

While Hunter stayed in Tennessee with Nana and Pops, Chris and I departed for the Young Life All Staff Conference in Orlando. This event brings in the 4,000 Young Life staff from around the world, once every four years; this was a great time of refreshing and encouragement from our sending agency. We reconnected with old friend, like the Akins' from Singapore, the Gammels' from Portugal, and the Emis' from Sweden, and made new friends around the world. Chris and I enjoyed our time together and felt like we were traveling light without a toddler in tow. This was my longest time away from Hunter and I was ready to return to our son, who by this time was in St. Louis with my parents (he had been transported by both sets of Grandparents who met halfway in Clarkville, TN).

So, here we are near the end of our journey, missing our life in Germany, but not wanting to leave our family in the states. Chris has spent the last week in training in Florida, while Hunter and I run errands to Doctors and visiting family. We are looking forward to what 2008 may bring to our ministry, family, and our many supporters...God is SO faithful! We ask that you would pray for Hunter as we return home; we went to an Audiologist this week to find Hunter has obstructed hearing, due to fluid on the ear. It seems we will return to Germany to find a Doctor that will put tubes in Hunter's ears. Please pray for this process and the timing. Next time from Germany...May God bless you in 2008!