Merry Christmas to everyone. These last two and one half years have been a real learning experience for our family. Many of you out there have learned right along with us. I just want to say we were wrong to say Kole would be healed. We believed and wanted to believe that Kole would be healed! We wanted our firm faith to persuade God heal Kole on this earth. What we have learned is that God has all power and He could do and accomplish all things. He can heal anyone of anything. My little toddler spreads his nubby little arms apart wide and says "God made all things". With that said, He can do all things with what He has made. However, in believing God we have to realize we are under His authority. It says in Psalms 103:19 "The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all". I get that now and so does Janni and Steve. We were wrong, and God knows that and has mercy. We ask God to forgive us and now we have learned. It goes to prove you can never look to man for complete truth. Truth resides in the Father and in His Word. We desire to point to our good Shepherd. We are just sheep. We want to be sheep that hugs up against the Shepherd's leg. We desire to stay in God's presence. We desire to please God. We desire to make His name great. Please forgive us. Don't look to us--we are just sheep. We are just learning. Though we stand by the truth of God's Word, we do not know it all or understand it all. God keeps teaching us and we seem to learn the most through failure. I like to say we have "fallen foreword" as I have heard it said.
Anyway, Janni is as full of love as ever. She always has such kind words to say to me to brighten my day. We stay in contact regularly. She is faithful to call me and I am a bit ashamed to say that she does a better job than I do at dialing a phone. She told me yesterday that she had a special day with her students. She spoiled them by having a "Hot Chocolate Shop" (instead of a Coffee Shop). She dressed as a waiter and served and spoiled her students with kindness, love, and fun. Jesus was like that at the Last Supper. He served and spoiled his disciples by washing their feet. I bet they had a real party just basking in His love and kindness. Anyway, Janni has times when she just aches to touch Kole and hear his voice. She has difficult days and bouts of sadness. But, she continues to love and serve and grow. I am very proud of her. She could curl up in ball, like a sheep curled up in the corner of a sheep pen. But instead she continues to walk next to her Shepherd, in His strength.
Ellie is as cute and as charming as ever. She enjoys dressing up and likes me to curl her hair and put lip gloss on her little lips. She and Elijah were pretending to get married, on Thanksgiving day. They had set up a church with chairs and a miniature aisle. I was a guest at one of the "ceremonies". However, she was the continual runaway bride. Making her father proud. Pour Elijah was left standing at the alter numerous times. He wasn't ready for the responsibility anyway. Ha!
Judah is adorable and on the move. May I mention that he is an accident going some place to happen. He is a determined little guy, if only his body would cooperate. He falls over and gets stuck between couches and in other places that he is investigating. I would say that he is highly intelligent and advanced for his months of life. He cuddles and has the most beautiful bright eyes that I have ever seen. He loves his big sister and is ready to play.
Steve, has been busy coaching his basketball team and being a family man. I am amazed at his love for God's Word and his knowledge of it! Sometimes I wonder if he will one day go into the ministry, though he is in it right now. He starts his day with his Heavenly Father. I believe that is what is keeping this father from being crippled with loss and grief. For all our griefs are for Him to bear if we give them to Him.
I just want to add that we now understand the beatitude. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. God has kept His promise to comfort. We just need to be willing to allow Him in. Onward Christian Soldier. The baby Jesus came to die and save and train us to serve as soldiers of the cross. We have learned much in these last few years, may we use it to serve.

Jodi