WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Dear Family and Friends,
We, like so many of you, have had another
interesting year filled with joys and even some sorrow. COVID has continued to
restrict our international travels, but we have been able to make several
domestic visits to both global workers who are Stateside as well as some of our
faithful supporters. We are hoping to do an international trip in February, so
stay tuned for that. In our travels this year, we’ve been as far east as Massachusetts,
as far west as California, as far south as Florida, and as far north as Michigan! Fortunately, we’ve been able to stay in touch
with our missionaries through email, phone, messenger, texting, Zooming, Facetime,
and, when possible, in person. We were able to do a “live” Renewal in July (our
time of debriefing and renewing with missionaries coming off the field) and man,
did it sure feel good to see some of them face to face again. We continue to be
grateful for good health and that we are able to do this great ministry to
which God has called us. We know that we have you to thank for your prayers and
your support which make it possible for us to continue to serve Jesus through
World Gospel Mission.
This year has also brought us many sorrows starting with Marlene’s
younger brother, Gary, who suffered a stroke last summer and continues to work
to recover. Just two weeks later, Marlene’s oldest brother, Don, suffered a
massive stroke that took him from us so very quickly. It was devastating to our
family, to say the least. Please pray
our family, Don’s wife Sue, and their son, daughter, and families as they face
the holidays without him. In August, Ned’s great niece, Alicia, passed away
suddenly at the age of 23 and then in September, our close friend, Ginny passed
away unexpectedly. In addition, Marlene lost three of her mom’s siblings, two
brothers, and a sister this year. That’s a lot, folks. But somehow, we have
sensed God’s sustaining love and comfort through it all. It truly is real and
amazing. Your prayers and support for us during these times were and are so appreciated.
We’ve been blessed several times this year to spend precious
moments with our kids, son-in-law, siblings, Ned’s mom and, of course, the two
most amazing little granddaughters in the whole world, Rowen, and Elliot. (5
and 2) They have been a balm to our hurting hearts over and over again. Jessica
and Zac and the family continue working and living in Mansfield, Ohio, Joshua
lives and works out of Lancaster, Ohio, and Jordan is in Marion and teaching
middle school and coaching again this year.
As you reflect on 2021, I pray that you are able to focus on
the joys and blessings as well as the challenges. Thank you for loving us so
well and keeping us in your prayers. We truly are all in this together.
Merry
Christmas and many blessings for 2022!
Love,
Ned and Marlene
