I did not get many Christmas cards sent out this year, so I thought I'd post our Christmas letter on my blog. I pray each of you have a very happy and healthy 2010!
Dear Friends and Family!
I can remember when I was a kid thinking it would be FOREVER before the year 2000! Now it’s 2010! Time seems to go by incredibly fast!
2009 was a good year. It started off with Beth and me (Teresa) going on a mission’s trip to Mexico. We spent one week at an orphanage and mission in Vicente Guerrero, Mexico. It was truly a life-changing experience. We were able to help out at the mission in various ways. Most of it seemed like menial tasks, but were very much needed to keep the mission operating. On two different days we chopped tomatoes in the kitchen. A local farmer had donated lots of Roma tomatoes, and they needed to be diced and put in the freezer to use for meals at the orphanage. Another day we worked at “The Nut House.” They have a large macadamia nut orchard, so they roast, flavor, package and sell macadamia nuts. The profits from the orchard go to the mission. Our second night there, we babysat for some of the orphans while their caretakers took a well deserved break. That was fun and interesting…especially since we speak a different language! It’s amazing what you can say with your hands though! We were able to go on three outreach visits. The first was to a poor neighborhood. We went door to door inviting them to “dinner and a movie” and then we set up in a big open field. We played with the kids and then fed the women and children. We served hotdogs on tortillas with hot sauce, tortilla chips and a cookie. After the movie we showed them a Bible story cartoon, and then a film about Jesus. There were a few that responded to the message. Another night we went to a migrant camp and took gifts to the children and families. They were so appreciative of the little things we did for them. Another day we had Bible club in a neighborhood. A local woman taught the class, and we helped with crowd control and giving out milk and peanut butter to the children after the lesson. For some of those children, the milk and peanut butter was the most nutritious “meal” they had that day. We also had a free afternoon where we went to a local crafters market, went to the beach (our first time in the Pacific Ocean!) and to a nice restaurant. We thank God for allowing us to go and serve Him, and we are praying about going back in 2011 and taking Ben with us.
Neal is doing great! His health is excellent, and he feels better than ever! He’s been working out regularly – running about 2 ½ miles 3 or 4 times a week. He’s even got the kids running with him. We now have a new treadmill, so I guess my excuses are over! Neal’s heart is in fine shape, as far as we know. He has a pacemaker check every three months and so far there are no problems. Neal continues to enjoy his gardening and wood working. He was blessed with a lot of nice wood from his cousin, Ben, so I expect we’ll see some new items being made in the months ahead!
Beth turned 15 in November, and has gotten quite tall this year. She is still keeping busy with home school, church, singing, piano (although she’s not taking lessons this year) and her new passion is guitar. She loves it! She’s a freshman this year…it’s hard to believe she’s in high school! Beth’s involved with her youth group, she sings in the youth choir, and she sings with three of her friends in a small vocal group. She also works in children’s church 2 or 3 times a month. She loves working with young children. Beth also enjoys photography and writing short stories.
Ben turned 12 in November, and he is also getting very tall! I’m sure he’ll be passing me up soon. Ben is still taking piano and loves it. Last winter he played on our church’s boys’ basketball team, and he just started playing on it again this year. He really likes basketball. Ben went to camp for the first time this past summer. He was a little apprehensive about going away for a week, but he ended up loving it! He can’t wait to go again next year! Ben also goes once a month to “Redemption Club”. He collects Redemption cards, which are based on Bible characters. They meet monthly to trade and play with the cards. He still enjoys playing on the Wii – especially his new game “Mario Kart”. I also discovered that I like Mario Kart, and Ben enjoys having me play with him. J
I continue to enjoy home educating the kids, grinding wheat and making fresh bread for my family, working with 2nd graders in AWANA at our church, and chauffeuring the kids around town! J My mom, Dora, continues to be in good health. The kids and I were able to travel with her a few times this year. In March, my aunt Alberta turned 80, and we drove to Indiana to be there for her surprise birthday party. While there, we were able to visit with my brothers and their wives, and with Robert’s children and grandchildren. It was a fun trip! In August, we went to my family reunion in Kentucky. This year, Neal was able to go with us, and we all enjoyed having him there! In October, we went to Myrtle Beach, SC. The weather was great! Ben and I even found an “almost perfect” sand dollar! I was so excited because you rarely find those in Myrtle Beach anymore. We also went to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, which we all enjoyed! In December, Mom and I went on our annual trip to Williamsburg, VA. We looked at the decorations in Colonial Williamsburg one day, and went shopping at the outlet stores the next. We always enjoy our little excursions!
If you’ve made it through this entire letter, I’m impressed! J We love you all and “thank our God upon every remembrance of you!” (Philippians 1:3)
Happy New Year from the Beasleys!!!
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