Christmas already? I remember my Mom saying, “The older I get, the faster time flies!” Now I can relate.😊

Where do I begin? As I read this to David the first time, he suggested, “How about January?” LOL! So much happens in one year. Can you relate? As with every year, there’s rarely a dull moment. There are lots of activities but different events as we move through the seasons of life.

David has found a new “career” as chairman of the building committee for our new church sanctuary. He is certainly the guy for that job—dedicated to the fullest! I have continued to lead our Ladies’ Bible Studies and write. We completed a life-changing study by Andrew Wommack, “Spirit, Soul, and Body. Life changing, that’s what the study of God’s Word is about, right? My writing has shifted from poetry to blogs on my website (rebabailes.com). I hope you have read some and have benefited. If so, they are accomplishing my mission.

As for the rest of the bunch, I can hardly keep up with activities but I will try to name a few.

Andrea and Jared went on a mission trip to Brazil. A mission trip was a long-term goal of theirs. So, they jumped right into one of the most dangerous places they could go, the Amazon! Yes, they returned unscathed with testimonies of an incredible experience. Most importantly, winning souls for Christ! A successful and fulfilling mission indeed! We even got a taxidermied piranha. I named him Marco. 😊

With work, school, and play for the rest of the Bailes Clan the activities, and unexpected events continue. For those who don’t know, NWAR was struck by a tornado in May. Several of our family members were significantly impacted but thank God, all were safe. Through all of the damage to our families’ homes, only one broken finger resulted. Although our oldest granddaughter, Haley, and her husband Ry’s home (of less than one year) sustained substantial damage, Haley saw her husband rise to the occasion. He was a servant to their neighbors. They have camping gear that includes a coffee pot and alternatives to electricity. He was up bright and early each morning serving coffee from the tailgate of their truck. Something that most of us think we can’t live without and can’t make without electricity! They had coworkers, friends, and neighbors with whom he worked hand in hand to work through the destruction. Haley dealt with the insurance company and all of the business side of the disaster. What a team! The rest of our family and community experienced help from numerous sources, strengthening relationships with neighbors and strangers like no other event I know of. Rogers and Bentonville will never look the same but thank God, the storm was used to serve His good purpose. Realizing lives are most important, loving neighbors, acts of kindness, and building relationships. He takes what was meant for bad and turns it into good.                                           

In August Adrianna (our youngest grandchild) and I flew to Albuquerque, NM. She enjoyed many new experiences (like her first flight) to a place she had hoped to go. We lived there when her dad, Steven, was 8 and 9  years old. It was David’s last duty station before retiring. Adrianna and I stayed with our dear friends Bob and Joanna and were treated like family members. Joanna chauffeured and helped us visit all of the places on our list. And Bob treated us out to some fine meals. We even had Dairy Queen desserts for dinner a couple of times!

With our other children, their spouses, and GRANDS, we have an occasional get-together for games, dinner, and holidays. Cherished moments for us. They all have school, jobs, friends, and life in the fast lane. And yes, some are walking through some of the toughest times life can offer. We know that they are carried through by our Savior. We pray and we trust. We believe and we hope. The very reason we celebrate this season and the reason we have hope for us all.

We also had loved ones pass over, as many of you have, David’s dear Uncle Ralph and my Aunt Roberta. More reason for this hope I speak of so we don’t say goodbye. We say see you later on the other side. But until then they will certainly be missed.

And I quote last year’s letter, “They say we live in “uncertain times”. David and I say we stand on the “certainty” of the almighty God being all that we could ever need and more than we could ever ask for. This makes our hearts full of gratitude for this incredible gift of His birth, the Christ Child that we honor by making it all about Him!” We pray this is how you will spend your Christmas Season, making it all about Him! For God so loved the world that He gave His only son… John 3:16. We love you too! Merry Christmas to all!

And I will end with this…we had our presidential elections! Again, God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace for America. David says, “Can I get an Amen?”

From our home to yours,

Reba and David