Family Letter by Debra

Dear ladies,

Snow, snow, and more snow! This winter has accumulated more snow for us then any prior winters since 2002, our first winter here. As snow accumulates on the surfaces around us daily we begin to see its life cycle. Over time, accumulated snow changes, adding layers upon layers, packing under pressure and ultimately melting, but have you studied an individual snow flake? Snowflakes take on a variety of shapes. Among these shapes are platelets, needles, columns and feathery ice crystals. Without many snowflakes there would not be an accumulation of snow. I stopped to think for just a moment, considering the importance of the snowflake in the accumulation of the snow layers, but also my importance in the accumulation of souls in the kingdom of God. Lord, help me to stand still and consider your wondrous works.

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. Job 37:5-14.

Praise the Lord; we only needed to cancel services once as a result of the ice and snow that fell during the night and into the early morning, not giving the highway administration time to clear roads before the accumulation of snow continued. This year Biblické Baptistické Shromáždění Brno (Bible Baptist Church of Brno) is focusing on evangelism. In January, we encouraged members to write their salvation testimony. We are currently creating usable tracts from their stories that soon should be ready for printing. In February, we have encouraged everyone to memorize the "Roman Road". We have been memorizing it individually and as a group. In March it will be about learning to give to other mission works and in April, we will continue the "Bibles in the park" ministry, encouraging members to help us in Brno and to do the same in their villages.

Our grandchildren are like snowflakes, each unique and each playing an important part in our family. They are such encouragement to us. We love to hear stories of their reading skills, learn new activities like bowling and riding the school bus. We would love to see them in their Christmas play performances, musical programs and of course their beautiful smiles, but for now we praise the Lord for the ability to see them through the many means of media available to us.

David is doing great in school, but takes every opportunity to ask if he can have a ''snow "day. It is hard to believe that he is finishing his 3rd quarter of the 11th grade. We have David scheduled to take the "SAT" in June. If he scores well, we will be one step closer to having the requirements for his college application. He would like to go the College of the Ozarks, where his brother currently attends.

Jeff was in the hospital this week to have his hand repaired. No! Not because he fell on the ice and snow, but he finally got the courage to seek a plastic surgeon about repairing the damaged "trigger finger" caused by another surgeon during corrective surgery. I was not able to visit with him in the hospital because all of the hospitals in Brno are on "lock-out" meaning no visitors until the flu epidemic is lifted in Brno. Jeff told me about a funny thing he read on the bulletin board at the hospital. It said, ''please refrain from bringing your own food from home to the hospital with you, because the hospital carefully plans and provides nutritional meals (white rolls and cheese) for you, Ha Ha Ha. Jeff thought he would take a chance with the health concerns after finding a pizza restaurant's menu on the bulletin board that would deliver to the hospital, placed a delivery order for pizza and enjoyed.

As for me, all my doctor visits are finished and I am back to normal, well as normal as I am able to be. Jeff is very careful with me when we are out. He does not want me to fall again, especially not on the ice or piles of snow. I told him this morning as we headed to his rehabilitation appointment, that I love my boots, but I will sure be glad to put them back into the closet for next winter's snowy days.

As for now "stand still", and consider the wondrous works of God.

Love and prayers,

Debra