Wishes for a joyous Christmas to our family and friends. We find our peace and strength in Jesus, the One who came humbly as a baby in a manger, then grew up to touch the world as no one else ever has with His life, death and resurrection. We put all our trust in Him.

Our year has been a challenging one trying to help our aging parents while we deal with a number of work, school and health issues in our own immediate family. The road has its ups and downs, but we continue to press forward. Michele's commitment is an inspiration to me in the middle of her ninth year of homeschooling Brandon who turned fourteen in November, and Joshua, ten, now breezing through his fourth grade curriculum. He recently finished his fourth grade math and is getting an early start on fifth grade. In October and November they both took Saturday morning art classes at du Cret School of the Arts, the oldest art school in New Jersey. Brandon's teacher asked me if I taught him to draw, which made me almost pop a button, although he pretty much taught himself. However, I think I may be able to take credit for a small dose of inspiration for their interest in art.

Both Brandon and Joshua love sports, especially tennis and baseball. Once again they participated in six week summer tennis classes at our nearby community courts. This was Brandon's eighth year if I'm counting correctly. They are really getting good – but I can still beat them :-) They also played 'town tennis' which provided friendly competition for youth of all ages, hosting teams from surrounding towns or traveling to their courts several times in August. When they weren't zinging topspin forehands and backhands they begged me to take them to the park and pitch baseball to them. We play our own version of 'home run derby' while I duck and dodge on the mound trying not to lose my teeth.

I have been doing freelance artwork as well as working at my Etch A Sketch art. Since July I've been taking my show on the road. I do live etching for library, school, club or any other interested audiences. You can see what I've been up to here.

Attending Evangel Church for the past ten years, we are very grateful to God for such a wonderful place to worship, fellowship and serve. God has been blessing our congregation greatly. We just completed a large addition which includes a 300 seat chapel, multi-purpose room, kitchen, choir room and many classrooms for our overflowing children's ministries. I am a commander for about ten fourth grade boys, including Joshua, in our Royal Ranger program, striving to 'reach, teach and keep boys for Christ' through Bible study, merit advancement, recreation and hiking and camping. The new classrooms are a life saver!

Michele faces nonstop demands. Teaching alone is more than enough! I don't know how she does it. Then there's cooking, housekeeping, and keeping track of our busy calendar. Still she finds enough energy to volunteer in the nursery at church as well as work faithfully with 'fishes and loaves' a monthly ministry at Evangel which helps feed needy people in nearby towns and cities.