Dear Friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. We hope and pray the peace
of Christ will be with you this Christmas and throughout the new year.
We had an eventful 2000 with many blessings mixed with some sadness in the
loss of my step-dad and friend “Smitty”. After fighting hard for
several months, in and out of critical care, he went to be with the Lord on
September 21. The funeral service was a great comfort to us all as we celebrated
his life and the unique gift of love he brought to my mother (in 16 years of
marriage) and all of his family and friends. At the service, I had the privilege
of sharing the gospel and Smitty’s testimony, which he had shared with
me. The last words I said to him on this side of heaven (August 21) was “see
you later” and thanks be to God through Jesus Christ I will. (John 14:3)
Mother is a Christian and feels God’s comfort and peace about His good
plans for her future. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
We had the wonderful blessing of seeing God so graciously answer our many years
of praying for His chosen life partners for both of our children, Brandt and
Ashley. On May 20th Brandt married Ashley Anne Cobb from Memphis, a beautiful
and warm young lady from a wonderful Christian family. She has already made
their house a lovely and charming home and made Brandt a very happy young man.
They both graduated from Covenant College in Chattanooga in Sociology and enjoy
living and working there.
On September 2, Ashley married Aaron Mathew Ball, a wonderful young man from
a fine Christian family from Vancouver Island, B.C. They met in Tyler, Texas
while they were in training with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). They now serve
as missionaries with YWAM in Victoria B.C. working with students from all over
the world in discipleship training. We would appreciate your prayers for them
for their two-month outreach in Sarajevo, Bosnia (January –March) and
especially in light of the BIG NEWS!!! They are expecting a baby in July!!!
Praise the Lord!!! Kristen and I are already trying to decide what we want to
be called by our grandchild. Granny? Grandpa? Pawpaw???
Kristen has been a real trooper through a very full year and continues to be
a wonderful homemaker for us and our family and friends who visit. She continues
to be my counselor and helper and my very best friend.
I thank the Lord for all these blessings and the joy of being involved in the
lives of the men in our ministry through Reflections. I begin my 12th year of
ministry this January and I am blessed with many close and long-term friendships
that become more and more precious to me each year. As I celebrate my 18th born-again
birthday today (December 10, 1982) I think of Psalm 124: “If it had not
been for the Lord on my side, where would I be?” And because of His great
love and mercy in saving me I can say: “The boundary lines have fallen
for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm
16:6) Join me in praise as we give thanks for Him who was, and is, and is to
come.” (Revelation 4:8)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government
will be on His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government
and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over
his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish
this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
O come let us adore Him,
Len and Kristen