One great thing about Christmas is that it brings us back, year after year, to realities in our lives that can easily get lost throughout the remainder of the year. It's a reminder, via song and lights and activities and service and giving, that life is more than just the things we do, the stuff we collect and the size of our bank account. We are so easily distracted, but Christmas and the days leading up to it are an awesome time to tap into the fact that we need something more than we have or could ever obtain. The good news of Christmas is that God has given us more than we could ask or imagine. He has given us Jesus, not just the baby in the manger, but the Son of Man who lived for us, and the Son of God who died for us. Let's celebrate this Christmas with joy, knowing that Jesus is really the only gift we need and the best gift to be given.
John has a new exciting position at Dairyland Power where he has worked for over 30 years. He is now the Director of Budget, Rates and Financial Forecasting. He continues to lead the Elder board at our home church, La Crescent Free Church. John continues to run year round and he and Sally took their Mondays off during the summer and biked various trails. J
Sally continues to work at Vernon Memorial in physical therapy. She truly enjoys her time with patients and educating them about their diagnoses and helping them achieve their goals both on land and in the 93° therapy pool. She loves part time so she can continue to accompany Jack and George (our new addition to our family last December) on their scheduled “Pet Therapy” visits. She loves to hike, bike, and swim as often as she is able, and will have more time to do now that her busy schedule is lightening up. J
Jenni (27) works at Gundersen Health Systems where she continues to love the challenges and blessings it brings her. She spends her time off being involved in ministry at Bethany, her church home, and works with kids of all ages leading and participating in bible studies and singing on the worship team.
Ashley (22) began 2016 traveling to Rwanda to film a documentary about the country and how it’s recovering from the 1994 Genocide. Check out her work at www.ashleymyoung18.wix.com/ashleyyoung. She has won multiple awards (including a regional student Emmy) from her 2015 documentary titled, “When the Game Changes”. She graduated from Taylor University with a B.A. degree in Film and Media Production in May and is in the job search.
Andrew (22) had fun taking the spring semester off and interned with the La Crosse Loggers baseball team this past spring and summer which related well with his marketing major. He has also taken a growing interest in photography, an interest he and his roommate Tyler share. He is planning to graduate in May of 2017 with a marketing degree. He continues to be active with CRU and began leading 9th/10th grade boys youth group at his home church, First Free.
Jack (3.5) is our ball fetching sheep dog that also loves to play tug of war. He now has a playmate, thanks to our Denver friends, who needed to find a home or their year old sheepdog. George (2) and is inseparable to his brother Jack. He is the polar opposite of Jack, very docile and loves to snuggle. They are both Pet Therapy dogs, but George is a natural and continues to love on all he meets.
We hope you have Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
John, Sally, Jennifer, Ashley and Andrew
