Missionary Update Christmas 2004 Newsletter
"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...
Thy message is enduring;
So long ago in Bethlehem was born the Savior of all men;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Thy message is enduring. (Vs.2)
Dear Friends and Family,
This Christmas song remind us of how God sent us a SAVIOR in the form of a baby so long ago in Bethlehem. This song, also, reminds us of God's faithfulness and provision for our family over the past year every time we look at our beautiful, ten ft. tall Christmas tree gracing our living room. Let us tell you why...
New Home & Dog - For seven years our family has been praying for a larger house and one that would allow for pets. Through some interesting circumstances we were able to meet a lady who had a 4 bedroom house for sale in Oak Creek. Housing costs are so expensive here in the mountains that we knew we couldn't buy the house...so we asked her if she would be willing to rent it to us. Surprisingly, she said, "yes". Our new house has allowed us more space for our growing kids; space to have our church family over for fellowships; and room to have friends and family come and stay with us. There is, also, the possibility of us building our own house this summer through a Government Rural Development Program called, "Hands On Housing" .
Our current landlord, also, agreed to let us have a pet and so on January 1, 2004, we adopted a 2 year old Golden Retriever named, Mandi. She has been an answer to Kayla's fervent prayers and a blessing to our family.
Michigan Reunion - We are both originally from Michigan (even though we didn't meet until in
Colorado). We had not been "back home" since 1987. Finally, this May, we were able to make a visit after attending a beautiful wedding in Ohio for a friend of ours. In Michigan, we were able to visit with Kim's grandparents and Tom's Aunt and Cousin. Later we were able to visit with Kim's Aunt & Uncle and Cousins and Visit Camp Barakel where Kim lived as a little girl. The kids loved seeing Lake Michigan; seeing a real lighthouse; and feeling the soft beach sand between their toes (but disappointingly, it was to cold to swim.) We didn't get to see everyone or everyplace that we would have liked to...but it whetted our appetite for a return trip in the near future.
Ministry Growth - We continue to minister at South Routt Bible Church as missionaries with the Rocky Mountain Bible Church Mission. We love our Church family--all 72 of them-- and we praise the Lord that our "family" has grown in the past year. The new growth has made us both much busier but has encouraged us by what we see. We recently started a Youth Group; divided our solo Children's Sunday School Class into two groups; and started a "Growing Kid's God's Way" Class for our young couples with children.
The Harves Family Our children continue to be a blessing to us and a testimony in their school.
Kayla - Is 10 yrs. She loves animals, especially dogs and horses. She excels in writing and spelling and loves music. She recently had the privilege of singing a solo at the school's Christmas program -- a Christian song called, "One Small Child". She is taking piano and voice lessons from her music teacher at school and plays the flute in the band.
Konnor - Is 7 yrs. He loves dolphins and anything about the ocean (or Great Lakes). He excels in math and loves music, too. He joined his sister in the Honor s Choir at school this year and is pestering us to take piano lessons. Konnor remains our little "helper" and never lets a day go by without saying, "Mommy, I love you!"
Karissa - Is 6 yrs. She started kindergarten this year and loves it. Her teacher is a Christian and they have a special relationship. Karissa is a very outgoing young girl who loves kittens (but her daddy says, "NO!"); loves singing (just like her siblings); and for some reason loves wearing dresses to school as often as Mom will let her. Karissa is our little Evangelist--- earlier this Fall, Karissa noticed that two boys were disobeying the bus driver. Karissa leaned over to her bus driver and said, "Mr. Doug, those bullies need Christ!"
Kim - The beginning of 2004 found her babysitting "triplets". (That's how she referred to her job of taking care of twin 5 year old boys plus Karissa.) However, now her "triplets" are in all-day kindergarten and her life has changed forever!!! But she is not one to be Idle for long! She has kept busy by volunteering at the elementary school and being the piano accompanist for the Honor's Choir. Also, she continues to be a "back-up" babysitter for those in our church when the need arises. She continues to be busy at church with AWANA, Sunday School, leading the Ladies' Bible Study and handling all the music. Any free moment she has, you will find her at her piano...practicing, practicing and practicing some more.
Tom - Continues to be a busy "shepherd" to the people of SRBC. He also, works 2 part-time jobs (construction) and volunteers his time on 2 boards in the community. He's the AWANA Commander, Youth Group Leader, and Growing Kid's God's Way Leader. Tom injured his back in April and had to have outpatient surgery (steroid shot) to find relief. He, also, has
continued to struggle off and on with Vertigo (an inner ear problem that causes severe dizziness.) It has been a tough year for Tom as he lost his mom on January 18, 2004, and then his stepfather on November 10, 2004. Tom was left at "Executor of the Estate" so has a BIG job ahead of him as we enter the new year.
The Harves family prays for you to have a year of unwavering faith in our Savior and peace found through Him. Merry Christmas and Happy 2005!
Love,
Tom and Kim
Kayla, Konnor and Karissa
