| As we begin this New Year, we are rejoicing and are so grateful to the Lord for the blessings of 2006 and for the many ways we could see His hand guiding us through a year of many changes and momentous
occasions. At this point, we can honestly say we are no longer “in transition” and are settled in our home and in our new lives here in the States. With our new jobs, various out-of-town trips, getting our house ready for holiday guests, rehearsals and Christmas performances with the
Schola Cantorum of
Texas, and church activities, our monthly newsletter was put on hold for a while. Even though the newsletters may not get out as frequently this next year, we do want to keep in touch with you to share news about our work,
ministry, and family and to share prayer requests with you.
We hope that each one of you have celebrated a blessed Christmas. For those of you who were missing a loved one in your family circle during this holiday, we pray God’s comfort and peace. Nancy’s maternal grandmother went to be with the Lord on October 2. We miss her presence but thank the Lord that we were able to be with her shortly before she died and that the whole family was able to provide the music for her
funeral service. For the very first time, we were able to host our families in our home for the holidays. Bruce’s father, his sister and her family, as well as Daniel, Sara, & Luke stayed with us for the Thanksgiving holiday. |
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We all attended the annual Muskrat Family Reunion which was held in a community center in Hurst, Texas. It was a wonderful time to renew contact with aunts, uncles, cousins — and meet new little cousins. There were over 65 present for the reunion. Nancy’s parents flew to Ft. Worth to spend Christmas with us — it was their first commercial flight together in their 57 years of marriage. Nancy’s sister and her family drove in from
California, and all of our children were with us to celebrate Christmas. It was a very memorable time. The best gift we received this Christmas was the news that we are going to be grandparents again! Daniel and Sara are expecting their second child in July.
Other highlights during these past three months were Bruce’s ordination service on October 15 at our home church in Joplin, Missouri; participating in homecoming activities and seeing friends at both
Baylor and Texas Christian
University; representing the B.
H. Carroll Theological Institute and seeing friends at the annual meeting of the
Baptist General Convention of
Texas; joining the Agape Baptist Church of Ft. Worth; participating in special choir programs at First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro where our son Andy is
organist and choir director; and speaking in several churches during the seasonal emphasis for the
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International
Missions.
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bmuskrat (at) gmail.com