The Promise of New Life

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Paul tells us this in II Corinthians 5:17. That kind of news deserves a celebration that lasts and lasts. With the promise of a fresh start, how do you want to begin it? Every New Year people make resolutions - from exercising to journaling and everything in between, but what about what Christ has already provided for us each new day?
How about beginning your new year with the good news of Jesus. He is the firstborn over all creation. Our Christmas celebration includes awareness and acknowledgment that our spiritual birth comes through Jesus. In him was life and light for the world! So take time today to welcome Jesus into your life, you will never regret it! Happy New Year!

January 5th finds us warm in our cozy house in Pella. We are continuing to raise support for Victory Ministries in Alaska and think we are at 60-70%. Praise God from whom all blessing flow! In the last several months we have been preparing to move to our new home and mission location. Here is what we have been up to:

 * Sold 3 vehicles and bought a F250 Super Duty crewcab.
* Bought a topper from Craig's list for the truck, and no, it does not match and no, we are not going to have
   it painted. Silly us!
* Had a big sale and got rid of tons of stuff!
* Bought a 16 foot V nose trailer to haul our belongings to AK. It it doesn't fit it is not going!
* Given furniture to our kids in Wisconsin and Nebraska.
* Taken things to store at my mom's house.

We hope to be fully supported by the end of Liam's school year and be on the road by June 1st.
Our oldest son is getting married March 23rd in Nebraska and we are looking forward to that celebration of love and unity.

Let us tell you how Victory Ministries is everywhere!

* Debbie's minister (from the church she grew up in) spent time at Victory during his military stay at
   Elmendorf during the Korean War.
* Cody's fiancee's family's church in Scotts Bluff, NE supports the McAlary family who are already at
   Victory.
* Chris' mom, Carolyn went to her ladies group (which she hadn't been to in a year) and was sharing about
   our family and where we are going and one of the ladies said she had spoken at a conference at Victory.
   Carolyn said she wasn't going to go that day but felt she was suppose to!

The Lord is surely impressive upon us and we give Him all the praise and thanksgiving!

Blessing to all - Chris and Debbie

Morgan, Liam, Cody, Brian, Aurelie, and Caitlin