FFM Online Newsletter - December 2009

December was an unusual month for us, as God used events and circumstances to encourage us to focus solely on Him. We began the month at the Winterfest at Freedom Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge, TN with Pastor Ed Parton. The Lord always moves in amazing ways during this meeting, and we are thankful to be a part of it! We drove home after that meeting to help our son, David and his wife, Lina move into their new house! On moving day we got up early, picked up the U-haul truck, moved them in, shared a lunch together, packed our things and made it to Calhoun, GA by supper time! The Lord blessed as always at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Calhoun, GA. Pastor Tim McCulley is such a blessing to our family! The next weekend was spent near home at Somerville Baptist Church in Somerville, AL. where we enjoyed the dynamic messages that weekend by David Gibbs, head of the Christian Law Association. That sweet church has two morning services and a commitment to the Lord,
and Pastor Shane Lewis is such a godly pastor.
   Rebekah flew home from Taiwan on December 18th to spend Christmas at home and to wait on her niece, Mariana, to be born! That weekend was spent at Temple Baptist Church in Tanner, AL with Pastor James Spears. What a joy it was to minister together with our whole family!  On December 21st, our "adopted" dad / grand-dad, Bob Silva, went to be with the Lord. Mr. Bob and Miss Grace have played such a huge part in our lives for the past 22 years, and we are so thankful for their love, friendship and godly influence. We left for Wilmington, NC on Tuesday, December 22nd, drove 13 hours, sang at the funeral on Wednesday morning, fellowshipped with the family over lunch, and drove the 13 hours home, sleepily arriving home at 3 AM! We are so thankful that the Lord allowed us to be at this special funeral, and even more thankful for the love of our church family and friends.
Our Christmas Day was quiet and precious to us all as we celebrated our Savior's birth with family. Our eyes had been drawn to Jesus all month long, and as always, He is worthy of our praise! The next Sunday we worshipped at Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church, which is Rick's home church from his childhood. It's always a blessing to return "home" to Sixteenth Avenue, even if they do call him "Ricky"!!! We spent the next week waiting for our grandbaby, Mariana, to be born. Rebekah changed her flight to January 3rd in order to see her niece! Unfortunately, God had other plans, and the baby did not come in 2009!! It was a wonderful week of love and fellowship, though, as we played games, read some good books, and enjoyed our extended family time!
The story of Mariana's birth is an exciting one, but will have to wait for January's account!!
It is our prayer that you and your family had a blessed Christmas season, and that you were able to focus on Him, the real reason for the season!