Christmas Traditions #10

Christmas Cards are going out this weekend all over the world.  I get to say world this year because some good friends of ours moved to India in August.  Our cards also end up in Kansas, Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Virginia, Oregon, California, Colorado, Missouri & South Carolina (if I can get Lori's address--Lori, if you are reading....send me an email!).  I lost a lot of my addresses when I switched computers this summer, so I'm not sending out as many as usual.  I also wrote a letter this year because I didn't send out any Christmas cards last year, and it was time to catch up some of the "older" friends and family on how our family is doing and what keeps us so busy.  I don't send it to everyone, just those I know that don't hear from us that often.  Here are snippets from it:

Martin Family Christmas Letter 2010

MNM:  Moriah Natalie is now 2½ and has quite a personality!  She performs often for anyone who’ll listen, singing everything from ABCs to “Good Morning, Baltimore” from Hairspray.  She asks daily for chocolate milk & to have her birthday with Grandma & Pappy at Chuck E. Cheese…in March.  She’s a happy girl and our favorite thing she says is…”I like you.”.  
GCM:  Grace Caroline is now 10 and loves CYT, emailing her friends, American Girl dolls and books, horses, taking piano lessons and making crafts. She loved the Ramona & Beezus movie that came out this year, since she’s read all of the Beverly Cleary books.  She was recently found decorating her dollhouse for Christmas.  She’s a great big sister & makes us all laugh!
LAM:  Luke Ashton will be a teenager in January & now stands as tall as his mom.  Fashion, texting & smelling good have now taken precedence in his life, as well as the gradually increasing realization of his parent’s uncoolness.  He has learned to play keyboard this year, and has been taking guitar lessons at Bethel College.  PTL, he still gives spontaneous hugs! 
CYT: Christian Youth Theater Wichita has been a fun family experience all year long.  Mom music directed Grace and 41 other kids ages 8-18 in “Charlie Brown” in January and now Dad is directing music for “Seussical”.  Luke & Grace both enjoyed performing in “Narnia” & “Tom Sawyer” and look forward to “Annie” in the spring.  CYT teaches kids to sing, act, & dance all for the glory of God.  
RPC:  Brad’s sermons just keep getting better and more anointed, as he studies God’s Word and overflows with a passion for all that he learns. The RiverPoint family moved out of the building we were leasing and will celebrate our first Sunday
in our very own building right on Main street in downtown Newton on December 19^th at 9 & 10:45.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  

This Christmas as you consider all the gifts that have come to you through Jesus, God’s perfect gift, remember that it is but a taste of all the good things yet to come. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! II Cor.9:15

Merry Christmas and Happy 2011!