January 2008 -

Christmas has passed and now we are facing a New Year. We had a blessed Christmas with the people here at Gulf Shores and were also blessed to be able to spend some time with our son and his family. Our daughter was not able to make the trip because she is still struggling with her back since the accident last spring. We had fun with the granddaughters and the youngest, Lily Grace, kept us all laughing. She is almost 19 months old and is so verbal that we don't know what to expect next from her. Her newest favorite remark when she would like for you to do something is “do it quickly now”. Don't have any idea where that one came from. We gave her a little riding toy (car) for Christmas and she will climb on and say, “Okay Papa, here I come” and begin her tour, with the horn blowing of course!



Lily Grace in her new “car”

We are in Gulf Shores for the winter and the New Year has begun with some chilly temperatures. It's in the 40's today and supposed to be 19 degrees tonight. Our friends back in Montana think that is a joke when we say it is really cold. I told them if I had wanted to be this cold I would have stayed out there for the winter!!

This is the time of year we normally begin to think about returning to West Yellowstone for the summer but God is dealing with us about serving in a different area this year. We believe He is telling us that we did well there and trained others and now it is time for us to move on. This has been very difficult for us because our hearts are tied so closely to the students and the people of West Yellowstone. At this point we aren't sure where we will be. Reggie Quimby from the State office has asked us to consider Michigan and we are certainly in prayer about that. Another area we are considering is in NC. Both areas have camps which minister to children and youth so would still be in resort ministry. The resort missionary and the DOM have asked us to remain here in Gulf Shores and help them with the innovator ministry here this summer so that is another area of prayer Please join us in praying for God's wisdom in making a decision. Either of these locations would be closer and not require us to drive 2000 miles one way. Our concern is always that what we do is to bring Glory to God

Here we serve as Chaplains to the Snowbirds and others who choose to spend an extended period of time here at the State Park. We help with worship services here and at another local RV park. We are available if there might be those who need help in getting to a doctor or just need someone to talk to regarding spiritual needs. Right now we have a family living in a tent with two children. The man has not been able to find work and the woman is working for a little more than minimum wage. The Association and the exercise group have helped them with gift cards to purchase food, gas, and a couple of gifts for Christmas but I just visited with them this afternoon and they have very little left. Their rent is paid through the 20 th of Jan. and if he hasn't found a job by then I am not sure what will happen. I encouraged him to go to Soc. Security and file for his unemployment and see if they can help him find a job. They are also going to apply for food stamps but we are also taking him to the local Christian Service Center which has a food bank supported by all the churches in the area.

It's nice to be in this area of AL at this time of the year. Most days are pleasant and people are able to get out and walk or ride bicycles. Butch is doing that but it is still something I can't quite handle. I do hope to join the exercise classes that meet three times a week. I have to do limited movements but I think there are others who will also be limited in what they can do. Pray that I will remain healthy enough to take advantage of this program. As I get older the limitations I have had to accept because of MS seem to be intensifying, I have fallen three times since returning to AL this year and thank God there have been no broken bones or other severe injuries. I have been bruised, scraped and cut but none of those things compare to what it would be like to try to recover from broken bones.

Our prayer for our family and friends is that God will bless you in this New Year and that you will find a way to serve in trying to enlarge His Kingdom. We pray that you will be healthier and happier than in the past and spread the joy of Christ as you go.

At the foot of His cross,

Butch and Vi

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” Romans 15: 1-2 (The Message)