So it is Christmas Eve here in Estonia, and the past few days I cannot help be a little home sick. Okay a lot home sick. Holidays are not the same without all of our family, but with the help of Skype and the fact that my parents are arriving here two days after Christmas, that helps. We have been on Christmas break from college and home school this past week. We have been sledding with the kids and enjoying our time together. Today we watched Toy story 3 (an early gift from us to the kids). Here are a few highlights from this year:
Kayla is learning how to write in cursive and how to multiply. She loves to listen to music and can sing Psalm 8 by memory. She is a bright loving child and very helpful big sister.
Braeden is learning to read and write. He is learning to add. He loves to listen to stories and even though he does not sit still during them, he can tell me everything that happened. He is a lively bright little buddy, but also a loving little man.
Elaina is learning her shapes, she loves to say circle over and over again! She likes to sit and listen to stories as well and still loves to dance to music. She is a bright, silly, little angel.
I am halfway through my schooling. Only seven more classes to go! Justin will finish his schooling shortly after me in December 2011.
We helped with the Christmas party at the kids club of the Hope church here. The kids made candy trees for their parents, played Christmas games and sang Christmas songs. These kids are such a blessing to my heart. To see their smiling faces really makes my day! We gave them each a little gift for Christmas, and look forward to seeing them next year in the kids club.
Justin is continuing to do seminars in conjunction with the Seminary here in Estonia, about how to Share Jesus Without Fear. Many have come to learn how to share their faith more effectively. Justin is also going further with not just teaching evangelism, but also praying for God to lead him to men that would like to learn more about what the Bible says about discipleship and how to become a multiplying disciple of Christ. Justin has began meeting with a man who feels led to work with the youth here in Tallinn. They have been meeting once a week and learning together.
We are grateful for all of the blessings God has given us. This year has been challenging at times but very rewarding as well. God has shown us that He can make us much stronger than we could have ever believed we could have been. God also revealed His mission for us here and it feels so good to understand the bigger picture now.
Thanks you for continuing to pray for Estonia. Thank you for praying for our family. We hope that each of you have a Very Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We wish you many blessings this next year as well. We miss and love you all!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!