Christmas come and gone...

Hello Again. Time has quickly passed in the last 6 weeks, though it was calm and uneventful in our home most of Christmastime. It has been snowing a lot. Ever since Thanksgiving we've had a steady trickle of snow every few days. It is pretty and cold. We went sledding 1 time and Nathaniel has also enjoyed the backyard and his toy tractors anew with a slippery layer of snow. Josiah has decided he doesn't like snow pants and most of the time he refuses to go outside unless forced into his cold-weather-wear.

We enjoyed church on Christmas Eve and had a friend over to our home after the service. Esther is from Malaysia and has never celebrated Christmas before! She is a new Christian and she is studying at the university near our church. We enjoyed introducing her to our customs of Christmas. We were checking our Christmas tree and ornaments and enjoying the candle-lit atmosphere in our evening Church service. It was really special to think again and review why we celebrate the way we do, and to share it with someone who has only begun to see and know Christ Jesus. This year I have been doing a lot of pondering about the ways and the reasons we celebrate Christmas. We (our small family unit) are only just beginning to make traditions and we want all that we do to point to Christ, and not to ourselves - the gifts, the food, the pretty tree and ornaments - all are meant to shine the light of His glory!

We spent Christmas day with other doctors and providers from the clinic where Tom works. It was wonderful food, good conversation (a few moments to discuss the peace that only God can bring in uncertain times), Tom lead us in prayer, and the kids were pretty well-behaved all day!

Nathaniel had 1 1/2 weeks off from Kindergarten and Tom had to work every-other-day for the last couple weeks. We enjoyed having Daddy around a lot. I REALLY enjoyed his help with the kids and with the house. Most of you may have heard by now that I am pregnant - due in July again - and I am totally wiped out all the time! Tom is quite a good cook when he has the time to invest in it! We read lots of stories, built lots of vehicles with Duplos and other materials, watched a few family movies, and played games (as best we could with youngsters), and had a few crazy dancing evenings (you should see those boys Polka - very funny!) . The movie Mary Poppins seemed to make a big impact on little Josiah - he has been talking about "Chimedy Sweepers" for the last 5 days. We received quite a few books this year for Christmas - all of us! So we'll just keep on reading!

So, that is the month of December in a nut-shell.

Below is our family's Christmas letter (the first letters spell FROHE WEIHNACHTEN):

France—Tom and Sara celebrated their 10th anniversary in August with a weekend in Paris! F is also for fiercely independent. That is our Nathaniel. He has to figure out the world on his own terms. He has a brilliant memory, but he's so stubborn sometimes!
Relatives – We enjoyed having visitors in our home. It was a wonderful time to explore, talk, pray, and enjoy each other's company. Katzenberger Parents, kids, & spouses in January, Scholtens Parents in March, Tom's cousin Nick in June!
Overseas – Our time in overseas in Germany and on Active Duty will be done this summer, and we plan to move to Minnesota! A job and a place to live are still unknown...
House – We moved out of our apartment into a duplex house in February because Tom was promotable to Major! =) He “pinned on” his new rank in June. We're proud of him!
Extra – We have an extra bed and bedroom and we'd love your company as long as we still live here!
Winter weather – It has been very snowy this winter so far! It is more than usual for this area, but the main roads and Autobahn are well cared for. It is beautiful, but Sara's rides to bring Nathaniel to his German Kindergarten in the bike trailer quickly ceased!
Excited – Sara's brother Mark and his lovely Krystal were married in July. Our boys were very excited to be ring bearers and Tom and Sara were glad to sing! It was a joyful wedding that proclaimed the love of the Savior to all who were there!
International Baptist Church – Grace IBC is our church family here in Germany. We love to learn, fellowship, and sing praises with them. We both lead and plan the music for each Sunday. Sara teaches the teen Sunday school class. We love this group of students, military, and international families who meet each week to lift up the name of the Lord!
Health – Besides a few bouts with a 24 hour stomach bug and the common cold, we've been quite healthy this year, and we are very thankful.
Nathaniel - Our boy who loves to create with Legos, Duplos, Baufix, mud and shovels, anything...he just loves to design and build!
Ages – This summer Nathaniel turned 4 and Josiah turned 2. They celebrated their birthdays while at the Katzenberger's house, and Papa Gene had a big surprise 60th birthday party!
Capetown, South Africa – Our whole family spent 2 weeks in May helping with soup kitchens, teaching Bible school, leading Christian conferences, serving and being blessed by people from this lovely country. (We can't wait to go back!)
Huggy - Our Josiah loves to be held, loved, rubbed, and cuddled. He gives awesome hugs!
Talk – Both of our boys are very verbal. Both boys could speak in full sentences and make loud proclamations by 15 months! There is never a quiet waking moment in our household. They sing, chatter, giggle, tell stories, make up rhymes, squabble, sass, and talk, talk, talk.
Eat – We love German food! Mmm—we'll miss the bread, the cheese, the sausage and the Schnitzel. Now we'll have to learn to make our favorite German meals at home!
New Addition – we're expecting another baby in July!