Lamentations 3:22-23, LSB

"The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness."

Greetings, friends, in the joy of the light of Jesus! God has been so gracious to us as He has used both the many blessings of 2025 and its trials to lead us even more into immense gratitude for His love for us in the gospel. We went to the Ark Encounter in KY with my parents and a niece and nephew in April, and to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Museum for the first time as a family in September. These experiences impressed on us anew the immense blessing of the shelter of Jesus, our Ark from the wrath of God. As we read about the many immigrants that have come to America from some of the most shattered countries, the contrast of their lives of terror to the peace and opportunity they sought in our country was another picture of the upheaval we will ultimately face without the assured peace of God through our Mediator Jesus, who is our Promised Land. When Michael had to “retire” for over 40 days this fall due to the government shutdown, our faith was tested, but we could rest in God’s perfect plan for us, and we are so grateful that He met all our needs and blessed us with caring friends and some special bonding time together! We closed out this Christmas season with another reiteration of the Ark as we visited Sight and Sound in Lancaster, PA with Michael’s parents for the “Noah” production. Rachel has begun publishing songs this fall from poems written in the past as well as freshly formed words that are flowing out of these meditations. If interested, see artist name “Songs of Dawn” on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube (www.youtube.com/@SongsofDawn) or any other music platform you might use.

May this season of lights remind all of you or give you new awareness of the true light, Jesus, who is the only one illuminating our purpose and glorious destiny in the eternal pleasure of God.

Love,

Michael, Rachel, Timothy (10, 5th grade), Hannah Joy (9 on Jan 3rd, 3rd grade)