As we are in the final throes of Christmas preparation, we are about as "settled in" as well as we will be. Truth be told, we are resisting being too settled. Think, "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through."
We have a long history of sending out late Christmas greetings. Actually, we are earlier than usual this year. We plan to get them sent out today, 12/23. Below is the electronic version. It may actually get to you on time. On-time or late, our wishes for you are sincere.
Merry Christmas & Happy New
Year
From the
Merrells (now back in Covington VA)
When I started this
letter on December 1 there was a poinsettia on the table, but little else had
been done in the way of decorations. It’s now the 16th. Getting
ready is still ongoing. The “What are we going to give . . . ?” conversation
continues. One reason for the delay in getting this letter out is Kathy and I
were involved in a church presentation, outreach, to our community that took
place last weekend. We invested a lot of time in it. Even now plans are still
in flux.
But it’s OK.
We continue to be grateful, even amazed, at the kindness and
generosity of our ministry partners who made it possible for us to serve in
Guam for almost four-and-a-half years. We are trying to get around to see as
many of you who worked with us as possible. We appreciate how so many of you
have inquired as to how we are doing now that we are back in the states. Thank
you!
So,
where & how are the Merrells, and what is next?
(Picture on left: We enjoyed meeting up with Mayson Red, a PIU alumnus, at the 80th-anniversary celebration of LMUSA. Mayson is in a missions prep program at LMUSA HQ.)
We are back in our house in Covington VA (2106 S. Carpenter Drive, Covington VA
24426). One of the things that has occupied especially Kathy has been catching
up on some repair and decorating needs.
Likewise, we are still a part of Covington Bible Church. Kathy has begun to get
re-involved in music and spending time with some women, and Howard has preached
a couple of times and will be teaching a Sunday School class in the Spring.
We are looking at wider ministry opportunities.
Howard took on the project of rebuilding a fifty-three year-old travel trailer.
You can track his progress—or lack thereof—at https: //68frolic.blogspot.com/.
We want to take it on a big trip out west in the New Year.
Our family is well. Chad pastors North Rock Hill Church in Rock Hill SC. He,
wife Tanisha, Kendal, and Ava live in Rock Hill. Christopher is in Monroe LA,
Carrington and husband Harrison Haley are in their new house in Provo Utah, and
Madeline and husband Sam Wilder are in Greenville SC. Kendal will be moving to
Boston early in the New Year for a three-month missions internship. Chris and
Nancy hold down the fort in College Station TX. Silas and Kira are still at
home—when they are home. Chris is now working with Hartwell University, a
startup, online school with a goal of placing teachers who love Jesus and
students in classrooms around the world.
You can reach us online or by phone at covbchm@gmail.com, (540) 620 7015 (HM) or kmusiq@gmail.com, (540) 620 7077 (KM).
As Kathy and I were getting ready for and participating in
that CBC Christmas event I mentioned we were impressed anew with the reality
and wonder of the incarnation. We are so thankful that God didn’t look down and
say, “Get everything ready and I’ll stop by.” Instead, in that incomprehensible
eternal-mindedness of our infinite God, He came in the person of God-the-Son to
make us ready to live with Him. We pray that your Christmas will be filled with
precious thoughts of God’s wonderful gift.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
(L t o R) Howard & Kathy, Harrison and Carrington Haley, Tanisha & Chad Merrell, Madeline and Sam Wilder, Ava, Kendal, Christopher, and Tanisha's parents, Wanda & Steve Lehman)
