Merry Christmas and God's richest blessings to all in the coming year.  This has been a strange month here at Anchors Aweigh.  We have been much in prayer over what God wants us to do here.  The weather has been a factor at times I am sure but our efforts in establishing a very active Worship Service seem to be futile at times.  We do understand that God isn't concerned with numbers and that where three or more are gathered He is right there too.  It is still difficult when one feels called to share Jesus and all efforts seem to fall on deaf ears.  We have had a high of 7 and a low of 2 people since we began worship services in November.  Some do attend church in town and that is great,  we never want to discourage that.  We are here to serve and that means more than just providing a worship service.  We seek to be friends and establish relationships in whiich we can share the love of God.  We don't feel that is working with many although there are a few, including the management who appreciate the fact that we are here.  Maybe one big difference from last year is there seem to be fewer people at present than there were last year and so far there have only been two people hospitalized.  We do know hospital visitation has and will continue to be a big part of God's ministry in our lives.  Please don't think of this as complaining but join us in praying for God to open doors to those who need some spiritual encouragement as well as those who may be lost.

 One inch of rain is equal to 12 inches of snow, at least that's what all these snowbirds say.  Wow, our motorhome woiuld be snowed in by now if all the rain were snow.  Today alone we have had 1.15 inches in Foley.  Glad our home is on wheels because there are many in this area with flooded homes, cars, and roads wiped out on both ends.  Last night they were interviewing a lady who had children at home and could not reach her house.  She thought she might be able to walk but many don't realize that if an apparently small body of water can sweep an automobile away that it is definitely not made for walking through.  We attend a little country church here after our services and enjoyed their Cantata Sunday night. Many people were there and they had food and drinks afterwards but  one thing they didn't have, was an operating bathroom.  So much rain in an area with septic tanks can be less than fun.  There is going to be a great need for clean up in this coastal area and it isn't from hurricane damage this time.

 We are looking forward to this weekend when we will have a brief Christmas celebration with our children and grandchildren.  Many are familiar with the whose house do we go to this year when there are two sets of parents involved.  For some reason we have been in the position of celebrating Christmas either just before or just after Christmas with our family in Mobile.  It's okay but you sort of lose a lot of your family tradition and it isn't really anyone's fault, just the way things are.  Cassie and Anthony will come to George and Juli's house in Mobile and we will join them there.  All of this is part of accepting the call to missions and we have experienced it many times through the years. We returned home a time or two and even brought the kids to TX the first year we were in the field. That doesn't work as well once they marry and have children when you are serving in self-funded ministry and the fixed income doesn't stretch quite far enough .  We all love each other so much and we do miss those family times but the children have always been understanding of God's call coming first in our lives.  It doesn't take away the loneliness during the holidays for them or for us.  We have a few get together's with snacks, dirty Santa, and that kind of stuff but nothing takes the place of our family.

December 23rd

  We had a really nice day with our family in Mobile, just too short.  Tomorrow is Christmas eve and the weather here is supposed to be really nasty.  It has been nice the last few days, temp in the 60's and some sunshine but not for tomorrow.  We will be praying for safety for travelers here and all over the country as snow, sleet, rain and ice will be a factor for many.  We aren't expecting snow but rain and thunderstorms will be really hard for last minute shoppers at the outlet mall and all along the coast.  We are looking forward to sharing a Christmas dinner on Friday with others here in the park.  The management furnishes meat and everyone else brings the dish of their choice to share.  The ones we have attended have always been good and a lot of fun with everyone eating a lot more than they need.  It is good to experience so many different foods and enjoy the laughter and fellowship with others.

   I did take some pictures with the family and will take others on Christmas day and try to put them in our photo gallery to share with those who are interested.  I am not very good at inserting them in the body of the newsletter so I hope you will take a little extra time to view the photo gallery.  We are enjoying making a little extra effort to wish people a Merry Christmas wherever we see them, especially those who are working so hard in stores and restaurants and have very little time for themselves and their families.  Sharing a little extra with those in need has been such a blessing and we are thankful God has allowed us to do that.  We have reached a point in our lives that gifts for us have little meaning and we have chosen to share a little more with others.  Our children don't expect a lot from us and Lily is the youngest one now and of course everyone likes to watch her eyes light up with anything she gets.  The others are teens now and of course money is their gift of choice.  We enjoy just getting together and taking them out for a meal since no one wants to do a lot of cooking when you only have one day together and the motorhome would not be a good place to have us all at once.  George and Juli made their home available and we appreciated that.

   We will be in Alabaster participating in the Global Missions Celebration i n February and look forward to seeing many of our friends and family at that time.  We hope to share with others about our years in home missions and how they can become more involved .  We have been in missions since 1988 so have lots to share and hopefully will be able to answer questions for those interested.

   Praying that all have a very merry and blessed Christmas.  Sing praises to the King and thank God for giving his son for all of us while we were yet sinners.  We praise Him for forgiveness and love we don't deserve and don't really understand.  We love you and our family and pray for you.  We covet your prayers and thank you for your love and support through so many years.

   Love and prayers,

   Butch and Vi

   
"I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me." - John 17:23