A New Year, A New Chance

As we are getting close to a New Year, we often think about resolutions: how can I change my life through diet, budgeting, education, etc.  Is it hard to believe that it will soon be 2012??? I can remember as a young child thinking: I wonder if I will be alive in the year 2000 - it seemed so far away.  Now I look back and see it was 12 years ago!!!  Is it not wonderful to know that with the coming of the New Year ( a new beginning) that God always gives us a new beginning - we don't have to wait until January 1 to start over. All we have to do is ask for it - ask God to forgive your past sins and He will wipe the slate clean - as white as snow. Being justified means "just as if I had never sinned". Thank you Father for being unconditionally forgiving. My new beginning for this year is to be forgiving, as unconditionally forgiving as my Father is. Forgiving of the person who steals my parking space, who cuts ahead of me in the line, who has 40 items in the "20 only" line at Wal-Mart, my friends, family, and spouse. But most of all, I forgive myself.

This past year has been so busy for us in our ministry. We attended Chaplain University, Phase 2 at Branson, MO, to increase our ability to minister effectively, we worshipped at our home church in Arkansas, where Vance Eubanks inspired us with the word of God, we celebrated the life of our son-in-law, Gene Crosswhite, who went home to the Lord in January, we found time to visit with family and friends in Wisconsin, we celebrated our 50th anniversary with our entire family present, we were able to present CHI ( check them out at www.childrenshaven.org ), which is our ministry, to others to encourage them to walk along with us as we travel this road God has laid out for us, we traveled here to South Texas to serve CHI as chaplains and volunteers, we made trips to the refuge in Reynosa, Mexico to show the children the love of God, we worshipped under the leadership of our chaplain here at Alamo Rec Veh Park, to list just a very few of our activities this year.

On a more personal level, we were so proud of our granddaughter, Katie, who graduated from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in December, magna cum laude. She is a wonderfully poised young lady who plans on continuing her education. Right now she does not know where, as she has her applications in various schools,

but needless to say, I am rooting for Arkansas!!!


granddaughter Katie and her mother, our lovely, oldest daughter, Chandra

Christmas Eve services at our park, led by Chaplain Dennis Maloney was beautiful and peaceful, proclaiming the glory of the birth of Jesus, our redeeming Savior.The choir, led by Vera Welty, did a beautiful job setting the scene for Dennis' sermon, " "We call it Christmas". You can check this out at www.sermon.net/crmintl
A real Christmas miracle: a gentleman who has been battling pancreatic cancer for years was declared cancer free on Christmas Eve. God is good!!!! We had luminaries this year instead of candles for the candlelight service which ended with dimmed lights and the congregation singing"Silent Night". A perfect birthday party for the Baby Jesus.

I saw this very cute cartoon on facebook and stole it. Just think on this!!!

Christmas Day again had us back at the hall for Christmas dinner. Sally Maloney and I hosted a table of 14 of which 3 couples were new to us. The food was wonderful as always, with very few leftovers! The park provided the turkey and gravy, we all provided the rest. The table was decorated with a simple manger scene, the true meaning of Christmas.  As usual, we were entertained with gospel music by Walter Plant, a very talented musician and singer. He did add a few variety songs, some funny lyrics, as well as his usual Freddy Fender, as requested by Dennis Maloney ( who would think!!!).We were invited back in the evening for turkey sandwiches and all the trimmings  which we did not attend!!!

our table, waiting for the turkey

just a few of the park residents enjoying Christmas dinner together



Walter Plant, entertaining us behind memory poinsettias (these were donated by residents in memory of loved ones)



Karen and Dean Starks, just two of our satisfied table guests

As we prepare to resume our normal routine, we are lucky to receive a break this week, to gather our thoughts as we prepare to continue our Bible studies, volunteer work, and Spanish lessons.

We would like to take this time to thanks each and every one of you who have supported us in our ministry this past year. If God lays it on your heart to continue your support, if you are a first time supporter, or if you want to contribute to CRM, please go to "online giving".  You will be truly blessed, Any contributions are tax deductible, so if you need a year end deduction, here is your chance.

We wish all of you a very prosperous and wonderful 2012 - may God be with you in all things. Praise and glorify His holy name.