Martin Christmas Letter 2009
We decided to do things a little different this year and post our Christmas letter on my blog. Another difference will be that it is written by J.L. this year instead of Bethany. So, here goes.
Greetings Friends and Family,
The Martins have had a great year in Hesston, KS. Here are some highlights for each member of the family:
J.L.--I am loving my new ministry position of Associate Pastor of Family Ministry at Hesston MB Church. I don't know that any ministry has been as great of a fit for my passions and spiritual gifts. For those who are unfamiliar with my position, I oversee the children's ministry at the church by providing training, curriculum, and encouragement to a great group of volunteers who lead the specific ministries such as nursery, Sunday School, VBS, Children's Church, and our mid-week program. I spend most of my time focused on couples and families. I have personally visited with more than 30 couples over the last year to get to know them and see how the church can equip and minister to them. A few highlights would be starting a prayer group once a month, implementing a new ministry for 5th & 6th graders, and starting D6 Dads (a group for dads who learn, pray for, and challenge one another). Some other favorites include mentoring at the elementary school, lifting weights, and playing basketball over the noon hour. I still love the opportunity I have to take the kids to parks, swimming, playing in the yard, walks, and learning about God together at home.
Bethany--Bethany is keeping busy as a wife and mother. One of my favorite parts of the day is to hear what Molly has done while they stay home together. I think my favorite quote of the year was "living with my two year old is kind of like living with a monkey---always entertaining, but exhausting and very messy :)" She is very busy with music at the church. She has been organizing special music for the worship service as well as singing in the worship team. She is also leading music for Hide N Seek (our mid-week program for children). Right now, she is busy being creative and making presents for Christmas. She has also been leading a small group of moms on Tuesday morning for our community Mom 2 Mom ministry. She is a great leader and I have loved watching her prepare and lead that group. She is also involved with HELP (Hesston Elementary Parents). We both enjoy hosting and leading our parents' small group.
Mitchell-I cannot believe that Mitchell will be 10 this year. He is a very active boy who loves school. He has been in Mr. Lafferty's class for two years (looping-same teacher for 2 grades) and loves him as a teacher. He has become quite a reader. We cannot keep him supplied with good books. He continues to love math. He still loves Legos! He has also participated in several sports over the last year (indoor soccer, baseball, outdoor soccer, and basketball). His favorites are basketball and soccer. One of his highlights of the past year was our vacation to Tennessee and Branson. He was able to spend time with cousins in Tennessee and rode his first roller coasters (Thunderation & Powder Keg) at Silver Dollar City. He is already talking about riding Wildfire this year.
Mackenzie-Mackenzie turned 7 in 2009. She continues to be a great helper in so many areas. She is our caring one who loves to help with Molly. She is in Mr. Schrag's class again this year (looping) and enjoys him as a teacher. She enjoys school too and loves helping in her class. She will probably end up either as a nurse or teacher. She has also been participating in sports this year (coach pitch and outdoor soccer). She also enjoyed our vacation this summer spending it with Katelyn and Aunt Judy and water rides at Silver Dollar City. She has become quite the seamstress this year. Bethany worked with her on her "kiddie" sewing machine and she quickly moved up to the bigger machine. She made a pillow for one of her friends at school and came home the next day with orders for more. She ended up making pillows for every girl in her class. Her quote was "it was the best day of her life" being needed to make pillows.
Megan-Our little redhead turned 6 this year and continues to have spunk. She is in Mrs. Lafferty's class (yes, her teacher married Mitchell's teacher this year). She enjoys reading. She has one friend that she is very close to at school. She loves spending time with her cousin, Morgan. Often you will find Megan entertaining herself (singing or talking to herself) in her bedroom or outside. She learned to ride her bike this year which motivated Mackenzie to learn as well. Megan participated in t-ball and outdoor soccer this year. One of her highlights is going swimming either at the Wellness Center or city pool.
Molly-Molly continues to make us laugh on a regular basis. She loves to have books read to her throughout the day. She also loves playing with friends from church. She started Sunday School this fall and loves being in Mr. & Mrs. Roth's class. Molly loves to go next door to her buddy, Jacob's house even when they he is not home. Jacob and Molly love playing together on his fort. They get so excited when they see each other! She enjoys going on walks to the "edge of Hesston" with daddy or as a family to the Arboretum. She loves to talk and being outside. As the quote above shows, she is into everything right now. She has no fear. She loved going on the big water slide in Branson with daddy this summer. She transitioned from the crib to a "big girl" bed this fall as well as saying goodbye to her pacifier. She seems to love taking off her diaper and being naked during nap time which has caused some laughs and messes too. Molly's personality and smile brings joy to many on a regular basis.
I hope you have had a great year in 2009. We, as a family, are blessed in so many ways. We look forward to 2010. We hope you will celebrate the true reason for the season, Jesus, this Christmas. As I posted in a previous entry, "All I Need to Know About Christmas I learned from Jesus." He offers us peace, joy, hope, and love. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Greetings Friends and Family,
The Martins have had a great year in Hesston, KS. Here are some highlights for each member of the family:
J.L.--I am loving my new ministry position of Associate Pastor of Family Ministry at Hesston MB Church. I don't know that any ministry has been as great of a fit for my passions and spiritual gifts. For those who are unfamiliar with my position, I oversee the children's ministry at the church by providing training, curriculum, and encouragement to a great group of volunteers who lead the specific ministries such as nursery, Sunday School, VBS, Children's Church, and our mid-week program. I spend most of my time focused on couples and families. I have personally visited with more than 30 couples over the last year to get to know them and see how the church can equip and minister to them. A few highlights would be starting a prayer group once a month, implementing a new ministry for 5th & 6th graders, and starting D6 Dads (a group for dads who learn, pray for, and challenge one another). Some other favorites include mentoring at the elementary school, lifting weights, and playing basketball over the noon hour. I still love the opportunity I have to take the kids to parks, swimming, playing in the yard, walks, and learning about God together at home.
Bethany--Bethany is keeping busy as a wife and mother. One of my favorite parts of the day is to hear what Molly has done while they stay home together. I think my favorite quote of the year was "living with my two year old is kind of like living with a monkey---always entertaining, but exhausting and very messy :)" She is very busy with music at the church. She has been organizing special music for the worship service as well as singing in the worship team. She is also leading music for Hide N Seek (our mid-week program for children). Right now, she is busy being creative and making presents for Christmas. She has also been leading a small group of moms on Tuesday morning for our community Mom 2 Mom ministry. She is a great leader and I have loved watching her prepare and lead that group. She is also involved with HELP (Hesston Elementary Parents). We both enjoy hosting and leading our parents' small group.
Mitchell-I cannot believe that Mitchell will be 10 this year. He is a very active boy who loves school. He has been in Mr. Lafferty's class for two years (looping-same teacher for 2 grades) and loves him as a teacher. He has become quite a reader. We cannot keep him supplied with good books. He continues to love math. He still loves Legos! He has also participated in several sports over the last year (indoor soccer, baseball, outdoor soccer, and basketball). His favorites are basketball and soccer. One of his highlights of the past year was our vacation to Tennessee and Branson. He was able to spend time with cousins in Tennessee and rode his first roller coasters (Thunderation & Powder Keg) at Silver Dollar City. He is already talking about riding Wildfire this year.
Mackenzie-Mackenzie turned 7 in 2009. She continues to be a great helper in so many areas. She is our caring one who loves to help with Molly. She is in Mr. Schrag's class again this year (looping) and enjoys him as a teacher. She enjoys school too and loves helping in her class. She will probably end up either as a nurse or teacher. She has also been participating in sports this year (coach pitch and outdoor soccer). She also enjoyed our vacation this summer spending it with Katelyn and Aunt Judy and water rides at Silver Dollar City. She has become quite the seamstress this year. Bethany worked with her on her "kiddie" sewing machine and she quickly moved up to the bigger machine. She made a pillow for one of her friends at school and came home the next day with orders for more. She ended up making pillows for every girl in her class. Her quote was "it was the best day of her life" being needed to make pillows.
Megan-Our little redhead turned 6 this year and continues to have spunk. She is in Mrs. Lafferty's class (yes, her teacher married Mitchell's teacher this year). She enjoys reading. She has one friend that she is very close to at school. She loves spending time with her cousin, Morgan. Often you will find Megan entertaining herself (singing or talking to herself) in her bedroom or outside. She learned to ride her bike this year which motivated Mackenzie to learn as well. Megan participated in t-ball and outdoor soccer this year. One of her highlights is going swimming either at the Wellness Center or city pool.
Molly-Molly continues to make us laugh on a regular basis. She loves to have books read to her throughout the day. She also loves playing with friends from church. She started Sunday School this fall and loves being in Mr. & Mrs. Roth's class. Molly loves to go next door to her buddy, Jacob's house even when they he is not home. Jacob and Molly love playing together on his fort. They get so excited when they see each other! She enjoys going on walks to the "edge of Hesston" with daddy or as a family to the Arboretum. She loves to talk and being outside. As the quote above shows, she is into everything right now. She has no fear. She loved going on the big water slide in Branson with daddy this summer. She transitioned from the crib to a "big girl" bed this fall as well as saying goodbye to her pacifier. She seems to love taking off her diaper and being naked during nap time which has caused some laughs and messes too. Molly's personality and smile brings joy to many on a regular basis.
I hope you have had a great year in 2009. We, as a family, are blessed in so many ways. We look forward to 2010. We hope you will celebrate the true reason for the season, Jesus, this Christmas. As I posted in a previous entry, "All I Need to Know About Christmas I learned from Jesus." He offers us peace, joy, hope, and love. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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