From Thanksgiving to the New Year

For the second year, we have spent Thanksgiving up North.  We had our Thanksgiving dinner in Duluth and then made our way up to Two Harbors.

The weather was mild and the day was beautiful.  In the morning we woke up to about five inches of heavy, wet snow.  We did  not have boots or winter coats, but we put on layers and headed out to do some serious "gift shop crusin."

Our Christmas Program was December 16,
"The Light of the World is Jesus."  It was based on the lives of my Uncle Stuart and Aunt Margaret Gunzel who were missionaries in Mongolia/North China.

My cousin, Marilyn, was able to come for the program and stayed overnight. We talked LONG into the night and again over the breakfast table in the morning.

December 19 we hosted "Christmas at the Parsonage."  We had over 40 squeezed into our house and had a wonderful time of singing, eating and fellowship.

On the 27th Ted and Kari and the grandkids came for a few days.  We played, laughed, made lefse, ate and generally had a GREAT time.  They were able to stay for Sunday, so we had Kari sing,  and that was a blessing. 

We closed out the year celebrating with the teens at Dale and Angie Hoff's.  Elton and Mabel Hoff are the "Youth Leaders" at 70+ young!  The teens love them and respect their godly wisdom..  We even made it til Midnight!!

As we look at the year ahead, 2013, we have some physical challenges to face and many spiritual battles and victories to keep us focused on God's Word. "He was faithful yesterday" and He will be faithful for all the tomorrows.

The Rest of the Story

It has taken a long time to finish our Canadian Adventure. Computer problems and Christmas have interfered.  Actually it all seems like a dream, but I have the pictures to prove it.  We enjoyed two nights at Warren and Sandy's beautiful Bed and Breakfast on the Bay of Fundy.  They certainly are the "Host and Hostess with the Mostest". 

To prove that I really did get my luggage after six days - a RUSH tag back to Bangor and the SAN FRANCISCO tag

We really were at Jones Lake Baptist Church for Special Meetings.  We had such wonderful fellowship with Paul and Gail.  Of course there were not enough hours in the day to get completely caught up on all the family happenings, but we sure gave it the "old college try."  The Tim Horton's coffee helped alot.  In fact, I brought the rest of the can that we didn't drink home in my suitcase.  Coffee smelling shoes is not to bad!!  Paul did have to loan me another suitcase for all the clothes I had to buy.  Now Fosmarks have to come back to Wisconsin to get their suitcase.  Good idea?!!!

We were so blessed to be able to go back to celebrate 50 Years of ministry to the city of Saint John, New Brunswick.  We thank the Lord for that opportunity.