Friends and family:
Merry Christmas!
2009 has been a big year for Lynn and I. Lynn changed jobs and is now working as a special education teacher, teaching art and science, at Rainbow Center, a private school in Blue Springs, MO. She will be starting classes for a Masters in Special Education in January. I continue to pastor at Fairmount United Methodist in Independence, MO where, praise God, we are taking steps toward becoming a congregation that is more engaged with our community so that we can share God's love with the people around us. I am continuing my work toward a Master of Divinity degree at Saint Paul School of Theology and am happy to say that this is my last full time year. I will graduate in May of 2011. Both Lynn and I are working hard on taking the next step toward ordination, writing papers and recording services to turn in on January 22.
We've not been in our house for over a year and we love it. We have wonderful neighbors who have welcomed us in wonderful ways. Lynn planted a bountiful garden around the house this year, growing sweet potatoes, sorrel, tomatoes, squash, beans, onions, carrots, radishes, lettuce and spinch. While she was growing food for us and the neighborhood, I did some landscaping and started remodeling our basement to add a third bedroom, and eventually, a second bathroom. Our neighbor, Scott Wilson and I have been helping each other with home improvement projects. On the other side, our neighbor Dave Remley, a professional photographer, has recorded numerous services for Lynn and I and has also given me a ride home from the doctor when I fell and hurt my arm recently. Across the road, Jeff and Olga allowed us to help with the Ecuador booth at the Kansas City ethnic enrichment festival and fed us delicious Ecuadorian food. Next door to them, we've become friends with Tim and Carmela, despite the fact that Lynn thought they were in a militia after seeing signs for their WNR (Wednesday night run) club in their yard a few times. Carmela has opened a Montessori school in their home and Lynn has found her to be an invaluable resource for classroom ideas.
We've also added another member to our household. Ross is our 6 year old adopted Lab/Australian Shepherd mix. He is wonderfully affectionate and playful. We've taken to calling him Houdini because he has escaped his collar and 2 harnesses multiple times. Ross loves to meet new people and explore new places so we are excited about taking him to Tennessee for Christmas.
We pray that you all have had a wonderful year and that the new year will be full of blessings and joy.
