Special Visitors

A wonderful group!

 Needless to say, I've gotten behind in my blogging over the past couple weeks! Before I move on to other posts, I'd like to post a couple thoughts about the new year.

From a personal side, I enjoyed celebrating New Year's Eve with some close friends of more than a decade. When you've been friends with people that long, fun seems inevitable! Our time together included some silliness...



Can imagine resisting a face like that?!





My buddy and me





Andrew getting to know my dog, Sunshine





Katherine was very glad to see Zhenya for the first time in months!



Such a great way to bring in the New Year!

-John

Dear Mom...

Dear Mom,

Happy Birthday! What an amazing year you've had, full of blessings and challenges from your Good Shepherd! I'm glad He was with you during the journey. I want to take this special occasion to remember His goodness in giving You to me.

Thank you for the positive influence you have on my life every day! You've made a statement about the value of God's word through your eager delight in reading the Bible. You've taught me so much about living prudently during life's challenges, like Proverbs says a good mom does. Most of all, you've shown me what God's love is like by loving me faithfully through the years.

I pray God blesses you greatly in the coming year!

Love,
John

Ethiopia Bound!

Photo credit: Layne & Tanya Henn

 I'm very excited to announce that I will be taking a missions trip to Ethiopia in March! I'm very excited to see what God will teach me about Himself and serving others. In his article, "Big Daddy" (a team member) explains the details of our trip.

Please pray that God would give us wisdom about how to prepare and that he would do amazing things through our time there!

Photo credit: Layne & Tanya Henn

- John