MERRY CHRISTMAS

We hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful and memorable year and that 2011 will be filled with blessings.

MIKE AND KELLY

BETHANY

We feel quite blessed. It has truly been a joyful year and we have every reason to be thankful.
Weve been able to enhance so many lives through our Melaleuca business. Besides taking our
family to Wisconsin Dells this summer, Mike and I have also been able to go to FL, NV, and UT.
Mike built our backyard deck this summer which we have loved. His mission trip to France was
wonderful but especially great because he could do it with Ashton. He was again able to coach
Cross Country this fall which is always so rewarding for him. Unfortunately, while running with
Ashton and Daniel in a true Cross Country race (through creek beds, up muddy hills, etc) in
November, Mike broke his right leg. He is currently on crutches with expectations of being
without them by the end of the year. I enjoyed going on a scrapbooking weekend retreat last
spring. I had a great time this fall when my mom and I took a trip to Branson together. It was a
special time that neither of us will soon forget.

Bethany is in her final year at

MSU-Mankato. She will graduate
this spring with a Bachelors in
Elementary Education; finishing a
4 year degree in just 3 years.
During her first months at college,
she wanted to join the worship
team for Campus Crusade which
meant auditioning with Jordan,
the worship leader. Long story
short, Jordan and Bethany have
been dating for nearly 2 years.
Along with Bethany, our family
has grown to love Jordan. Mike
and I were thrilled to give our
approval when Jordan met with us
to ask for our blessing on their
engagement. He shocked Bethany
with a proposal while both
families waited in hiding until we
got the welcome to join in the
celebration. They will marry this
summer!

PETRA

ASHTON

The beginning of 2010 led to

the culmination of Petras high
school career. During those
months she was able to take
part in the schools musical
and had the unique honor of
directing the band for a song
during the spring concert. The
long anticipated day arrived
and Petra graduated with
honors. This fall, she went to
MSU-Mankato to major in
Elementary Education. She
was blessed with a great
roommate that she met on
move-in day as they both
moved their things into the
10X15 room that they would
share for the year.
She
immediately got involved in
Campus Crusade for Christ
which led to developing great
new friendships. Her classes
are going well and she is really
enjoying college.

Topping Ashtons long list of exciting events for 2010 would

no doubt be the mission trip to France. Along with Mike
and others from our church, Ashton was able to serve by
doing construction work at a Christian camp. It was an
amazing and memorable trip! Immediately after school
ended in the spring, she began classes to become a
Certified Nursing Assistant and also became a licensed
driver. She started her Junior year in high school running
as part of the Varsity Cross Country team again. Ashton
also took on a major role in the schools musical which
meant a lot of lines to learn and solos to rehearse. In the
midst of those long days, she continued her photography
business; taking pictures of families, engagements, seniors,
and children.

CHRISTMAS 2010

DANIEL
With all of the snow that we had last winter, Daniel was able to make a huge fort and put many
miles on the snowmobile. With spring came baseball season and he was able to join the junior high
team where he played first base. He was a big help to Mike while building the deck this summer. He
also started taking guitar lessons where hes been dilegent in learning from his instructor and with
help from Jordan. Just recently, he was able to join the Youth Worship Team at our church. With
the beginning of eighth grade this fall, he also began another year of Cross Country where he
primarily ran Varsity. For the first time, Daniel was also part of the school musical which was a lot of
fun for him.

BLESSINGS TO YOU IN 2011

As our life continues to transition and we try to adjust, it is great to know that God will never change. God is good and He is in control.
He left His rightful throne and came to earth; not as a king in a palace but as a baby in a manger. He lived a normal persons life so we
could all relate to Him. And He took our sins with Him onto that cross. Unlike other gifts that make it onto our wish list, His gift of eternal
life is there for the asking. We dont have to wish for it, its promised in His Word. Its a gift that wont wear out over time but literally
lasts for eternity. Make this the merriest of all Christmases by receiving the greatest gift: eternal life!