landed an interim position in
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, just 20 minutes from home, only 10 minutes by
train! This year 2 pastors, 2 clerks of sessions, 2 sets of youth
leaders, and a church secretary have left. Attendance has returned to
150 average after being down 15% during the unpleasantness. He is
learning the blessings and challenges of a larger church. (One of the
three secretaries slaps his hand when he forgets and tries to answer a
phone.) He enjoyed time away flying to the Presbyterian Church’s
General Assembly, taking the train to a mission trip in Washington D.C.,
and riding the bus to Louisville for a family systems seminar and visits
with friends.
Bette Lynn is still gorgeous and doing well with her diabetes.
Theoretically, she is "only" working part-time providing physical
therapy to the homebound. She figures the extra hours pay for eating
out! She enjoyed going to the beach every day the week we were
at Lakeside, Ohio at Christy’s family reunion. At church she is an elder
on session in charge of Mission, Outreach and Peacemaking. So, this year
the family was helping with the church pictorial directory, advertising,
special offerings and ringing bells for the Salvation Army.
After a rocky start to the year, Rachel moved to Seton Hill
University right here in Greensburg. Her laundry visits often. Field
Hockey earned her a scholarship and a place on the first ever SHU team
which actually managed to win games with a team of freshmen! Three
practices a day combined with work with the campus kindergarten in
addition to elementary and special education classes kept her running.
She loves the kids at her campus job and the ones at her summer job as
child caretaker at the local aerobic center.
Our other freshman, Robert, excels at charming his elders
at high school and church. He is in the chorus for the high school
musical and was an undercover FBI agent "Billy Bob" in his 8th
grade musical. He earned his Star rank in scouts this year. He
participates in church youth group and allows his Dad to go with him to
the church’s Men’s Breakfast. This fall he brought home a debate trophy
from a NFL meet. He enjoys role playing games on broadband internet but
also bought a chess set which always has a game in process between him
and Christy. This was the year he checkmated Dad!
We don’t know what the future holds but we know who holds the future.
Wherever the next year takes you, may you find Christ waiting for you
there.
Christy, Bette Lynn, Rachel and Robert
