Christmas Letter 2010

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126:3

Dear Family and Friends,

It's hard to believe that two thousand ten is closely coming to an end. As quickly as the year has passed, it was filled with blessings beyond measure and memories that we will cherish forever.

We started the year off with Trisha six months into her pregnancy with our first daughter, Mackenna Grace. The second trimester treated her much nicer than the first, and we were busy preparing for the arrival of our bundle of joy. Dustin began the final semester of his seminary education at Faith Bible Seminary and worked hard to finish strong. By the time April came, we were both ready to meet Mackenna Grace and it seemed as though the days crept by in slow motion.

On April 13th, 2010 we were blessed as our daughter was born at 10:14 am, weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring up at 19.5 inches. She is beautiful! We grew in trusting God as Mackenna was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) shortly after birth due to a fever and undiagnosed respiratory infection. So many friends and family joined with us in prayer for Mackenna's recovery and we were overcome with peace and joy that went beyond our understanding. In the midst of a trial, God's grace sustained us and our trial became a blessing and testimony of God's goodness in our lives.

After Mackenna's birth, we had the pleasure of many visits from grandparents and relatives. Almost every month we've been blessed by a visit from loved ones. As new parents, this has brought such joy to our hearts, not to mention some much needed rest as extra hands help care for Mackenna.

In June Dustin graduated from Faith Bible Seminary, and was offered a position as Pastor of Community Ministries at Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette, Indiana. With a new baby at home and with Trisha staying home to take care of her, it was a relief to have a job secured and a plan in place after graduating from seminary. Dustin serves as the Director of Faith Community Center as well as providing pastoral leadership over staff, volunteers, and community members. He also has the opportunity to teach an Adult Bible Fellowship on Sunday mornings. This position uses many of Dustin's gifts while still challenging him to grow.

In October we became first time homeowners. We purchased a home close to the church and perfect for the three of us. After a few coats of paint, unpacking, arranging, and re-arranging, we have settled in and are enjoying making memories in our new home.

Mackenna is growing and changing so quickly. She is about seven and a half months old right now and just began "army" crawling. She kind of looks like a little inch worm pulling herself across the living room floor. It has been so neat to watch her learn to roll, then sit up by herself, then lean forward, then "army" crawl. One of our favorite things to hear is her cute little voice babbling away. She seems to babble most when she thinks we're not listening, like during a car ride or early in the morning before we've gotten her up from her crib. Waking up to baby babbles over the monitor is so much more lovely than baby cries! The Bible says in Psalm 127:3 that, "Children are a blessing from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward." This year, we have experienced the truth of that verse.

As we approach this Christmas season, we don't want to forget the greatest blessing of all, the free gift of salvation in Christ. God has made a way for our relationship with Him to be restored, despite our sinful hearts. We don't have to be good enough, nice enough, or kind enough. We don't have to balance the scales and try to make up for our sins by doing good works. For one, we could never keep track of good works versus our sins and secondly, even if we could, our good works would never be enough. We don't have to earn forgiveness for our sins. God gives forgiveness freely to all who repent and trust in Christ. Because, you see, Christ was perfect. He was good enough, nice enough, and kind enough. He never had to make up for any sin, because everything that He did was good and pleasing to God. He did not need forgiveness because He never sinned. In fact, Christ is the one who grants forgiveness. Christ did not deserve to die, yet He did, for our sakes. And with His death, God's wrath was satisfied. The only way to God is through faith in Christ.

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Romans 5:6-10

So as we celebrate this Christmas Season, let us not forget to be thankful for a God who loves us enough to send His own Son to save us from our sins. He is the giver of all good things and His blessings are beyond what we deserve. We are so thankful for such wonderful family and friends and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!



Merry Christmas! 

With much love,

Dustin, Trisha, and Mackenna