Swope Christmas Letter

Keeping with tradition, we’re writing our letter 3 days before Christmas. We decided it's a year-end-letter like Charities send for year-end-donations. So, feel free to send money :-). Here's what's new with us:

Joshua will be 13 in May. How did our firstborn become a pre-teen? That shy little boy who was glued to us as a toddler is now very social. He loves middle school. This fall he auditioned for the sixth grade Shakespearean production of Macbeth. He was assigned the role of lead witch and did a great job! We were very proud of how much he practiced and portrayed the character so well. He made God look really good by making evil look really bad!! He’s almost as tall as I am but he’s still just as thoughtful as ever.

Andrew will be 10 in January and is in fourth grade. His favorite subjects are math and writing. He's very active and imaginative. He says the funniest things and keeps us all on our toes. He plans to be a movie producer one day. Andrew is quite the social butterfly, too. Life is all about fun and friends. His teacher loves his sense of humor and told us recently that he sets a great example for his classmates to have a positive attitude and be respectful. Also, Andrew overcame his fear of falling and became a great skier! We're so proud of him.

JJ is still enjoying his role as a project manager with Vanguard. He likes it because he is managing people more than computers. Encouraging others is his greatest strength. We love that he doesn’t have to travel and he’s home most nights for dinner. On the weekend’s I’m speaking, he and the boys love to go camping and hiking. The father/son camping trips he started 3 years ago have expanded quite a bit. In October he had 61 dads and kids. When they got home, he was so exhausted but SO happy!! It’s his true calling! They can’t wait until their trip in the Spring.

Renee is keeping busy with the kids and JJ while working when the boys are in school. I’ve been wearing a new hat for the past two years as producer of Proverbs 31 Ministries one-minute radio feature that airs weekdays around the world. (You can listen online at www.Proverbs31.org). I co-host the show, too, so I write and record 10 shows every few weeks. It stretches me a lot, but it’s been fun. Also, I contributed to a compilation book that includes my stories of God-moments in everyday life with our family. It’s called God’s Purpose for Every Woman.

The highlights of our year have been traveling together. This summer we went to Indiana and Hershey, PA for family reunions. We also took two amazing trips with my speaking events. We were thrilled when I was asked to speak in Cayman Brac and Vail, CO. It was such a gift because both events paid JJ’s way and one paid most of the boys’ expenses, too. We made great family memories on an island in September and on the slopes in December. We all learned to snorkel and the boys became great skiers, too!

As I look back on the amazine blessings of this year, I can’t help but remember a prayer we prayed when we sensed God calling me to speak and travel. I felt inadequate, afraid and very hesitant about being away from my family. A wise friend encouraged me to ask God tp bless our family in a way that would only be possible if we said yes. Boy has He!! In addition to our trips, JJ started his camping adventures during weekends I was away. He never knew how much he'd love it and he's making such a difference drawing fathers and sons together.

We're learning that God has great things for us if we'll trust Him. This year we're gearing up for some more amazing adventures. We'd love to keep you posted on what's going on with us through our new family blog at www.HeBrewsFaithCafe.blogspot.com. And we'd love to hear from you so please log on and say hello sometime!

Merry Christmas!