December

We've been in our new apartment for a couple of weeks now, and things seem to be returning to some sense of normalcy. There aren't as many crates in our living room, and despite the need to grab food and belongings out of tupperware containers, it feels like home. There is certainly a tension of sorts, as we try to balance a sense of comfort with a knowledge that we need to leave soon. But at the same time we are very grateful that we've have been blessed with an opportunity to live with friends.

This month actually provides a sort of break from our traveling and speaking schedule. We weren't able to add any engagements to our calendar, and while we do feel the anxiety of meeting our fundraising needs, it is nice to have some time with our home church here in Mansfield. It has also afforded me(Scott) some time to work on a Christmas beard. Typically when we travel my wife prefers I not have a thick reddish-brown carpet on my face, so the time off has allowed me to begin the culmination of a very brawny-paper-towel-guy-esque man styling. Not sure that's the best description, but I had trouble deriving synonyms for beard.

In a couple of weeks Deanna will be headed off to Florida with the kids to spend some time with her family as Christmas season approaches. I'll be left behind in what is sure to be freezing-cold Ohio until after Christmas, when I'll join her for a week. Then it's back to Ohio in early January for more work here at the church and to hit the road once again as we share our story and earnestly look for people and churches to join our team. We appreciate all of you so much and are doing our best to get to Tanzania.

Before we sign off, very sincerely, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope this season brings with it God's love into your life. To make it even more special, here's a little pre-Christmas sneak peak at what Deanna already got for me this holiday season.

Much Love,

Scott