Happy New Year!

In the beginning of December, we had the privilege of joining with one of the local pastors who is allowing us to use his building 6 days a week for a Merriam House of Prayer. We asked him if we could pray over the building before we started to renovate part of it. He not only said yes, but he helped lead us as we prayed over the building. The Lord has blessed us with provisions this month so that we can start renovating the building in January, with prayer and worship meetings to begin in February.

During the last three weeks of December, we took one of our two 3 week Sabbaths, where we encourage others to go to local churches or the Messanic synagoue where we have been taking classes. It's a season of investing time, money, and energy into the body of Christ in our city.

At the end of December, we brought in the new year with our second annual three day retreat. It was a great time of fellowshipping after the break, worshipping the Lord, clarifying the vision and encouraging us for what is in store for this next year.

On a personal note:
Paul, Tom (his brother) and Harrison went to Dallas, TX to spend time with Jason (their older brother). God did a wonderful work in their hearts while they were there.
Lauren went to visit Art's (her late husband) family in Chicago. She had a wonderful time with them and is thankful God has still kept them in her life. She also went home to Florida to spend some time with her family. She enjoyed spending individual time with all of them.

Paul had a wonderful birthday and Christmas this month! He got his dream of having a motorcycle, and we found an economical Harley Davidson. It has been fun to see him so joyful. We thought it would be fun to dress up for Christmas with our Harley shirts and matching camouflage pants at the Blake family Christmas. That time was full of love, laughter and long meaningful talks.

P.S. Below is the picture of the month: Paul, Tom and Mark in the hot tub in the middle of a snow storm!