Christmas
Letter 2014
It
is Christmas 2014 – and WOW! We have
been very blessed! King Jesus has filled
our lives with His presence and He continues to make Himself known to the world
and us. As we wind down this year filled
with earthly struggles and threats of war and terror, He is still on the throne
and He is the victor! Though we have
suffered through the loss of loved ones near and far, He is faithful to comfort
and bring peace.
As
we face racial and social issues in the United States and the media bombards
our television screens with fear mongering reports of hate and impending
dangers, we can take comfort that King Jesus knows the truth and has everything
under control.
It
seems that we live in a perpetual state of political rhetoric and bashing of
our government and our leaders, but God told us that if we are people who are
called by His name and we turn from our wicked ways and look to Him, we will
hear from Heaven and He will heal our land.
Halleluiah! He is, indeed, still
on the throne. We will praise Him!!
We
will praise Him for the wonderful things He has done for us in 2014!
(Ben - 6; Asher - 8; Ari - 23 months; Ajay - 3; and Caleb - 22 months)
Mickey
and Betty Gail are still amazed as He guides us deeper and deeper into a love
for church planting. We continue to put
one foot in front of the other and follow the plan that He has prepared before
us at Compass Church. We dearly love the
people with whom we get to do life, one on one and also as a corporate
body. We are so grateful for the
opportunity to work with Compass staff and the way God has lead us together for
such a time as this. Over the past five
years, we have been blessed to see Compass grow in spiritual depth and also in
number. As we close the year, we are
coming off of a two-month sabbatical that Compass generously arranged for
us. We are now “refueled” and ready to
see what He has planned for us next in the journey.
Aaron
and Kelly Parks have certainly had an eventful year, as well. Being parents to our two oldest
grandchildren, Asher (8) and Ben (soon to be 7), and our youngest grandson,
Caleb (soon to be 2) is the most important job they have, as far as we are
concerned. However, they have also been
busy in career and life. Aaron accepted
a new role with Fellowship Bible NWA to lead their Children’s Ministry at their
new campus in Fayetteville. This meant a
move during the summer. They sold their
home of about 10 years and moved from the neighborhood they loved to their new
home in Fayetteville. It has been a
transition for the whole family, but they love living in their bigger home on a
wooded 2-½ acre lot and near their church campus site. During all of this transition, Kelly did a
KickStarter campaign in which she raised enough money to complete a new
album. It will be on iTunes, possibly by
the time you read this! Although we are
a little prejudice, we think this is her best work – both in writing and in
performance – to date! Unshakable God is
the title and lead song. Get your
Kleenex box ready!!
Asher
and Ben are at a new school and doing so well.
They have made new friends and are excelling in academics. Asher is in GT and seems to really enjoy
having extra challenges. Ben is reading
so well and seems to be gifted in many areas.
We were playing a game just a few days ago when Ben was challenged to
spell the word “azalea” BACKWARDS. Yep,
he did it like a champ (and remember – he is 6 years old)! Asher still loves anything video and
Minecraft is his favorite game, by far.
He also loves, Italian dressing, pickles, and Takis. Ben likes people. He enjoys throwing balls and jumping and
running. He also likes video games, but
“needs people” too.
Caleb
is a chunk of pure sweetness. His language is exploding and he is repeating
everything. He loves his momma, his
blanket, and his thumb. AND cars! He has
stolen our hearts.
Chase
and Lacey have persevered through this year in the Himalayas with Team
Everest. They have opened a coffee shop
and seen it serve their community as God has provided. They have been able to offer employment to
the people with whom they live, love, and reach. Circle Street Coffee is a Christian presence
in a place where Christians have not been before. Here, they can meet with people to talk about
Jesus and show others His love.
Sometimes days are difficult living in a third world country, but God
has blessed them according to His purpose. Chase is grounded in the Tibetan language and
Lacey has learned it as well. Both speak
enough Nepali to get them around their city.
In September they traveled to the US for a furlough and support raising
stint. We have been able to spend a
great amount of time with them and their children, Ajay (almost 4) and Ari
(almost 2).
Ajay
loves anything that moves. He loves
little Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars the most.
He is loud and active – and we wouldn’t have it any other way. He loves to hear a good story and will spin
one of his own if you will sit and listen.
His bright eyes and big ears don’t miss anything! Ari is our only little girl. She loves cuddling a baby doll and rocking in
her momma’s rocking chair. She doesn’t
hesitate to climb to the top of anything and jump off into her daddy’s
arms. She is very verbal and actually
speaks with big words, often in context.
Ari has “Missy Prissy” ways and will woo with her womanly wiles, even at
23 months. She will bat her eyelids and
flash a smile when she need to – grabbing your heart.
Mimi
(Mary Jane) is still alive and kicking, even though she stated about six months
ago that she probably had about two months left…she hung on and got to see
Chase and Lacey and their family! She has good days and rough days but enjoys
her children, grandchildren and great-grand children when she gets to be with
them. She loves her church and to
connect with people when she can go. She
is still a lot of fun and full of life at almost 90. We all enjoy living in the same house and
getting to eat her cornbread and beans together!
We
pray that in the coming days and months each of you will realize the love and
goodness of the Father and experience the relationship that He most wants to
share with you. Happiest of days and merriest
of Christmases to you all!
With
our Love,
Mickey
and Betty Gail Jones
