Dear Family & Friends,

As we look back over 2020, God has given us many reasons to REJOICE!  Here are a few highlights…

 “The new house” has become our home.

Living in Lancaster County has been peaceful and restful. We love the view of the farm fields out our back window and the clip-clopping of a horse & buggy rolling past our street.  Many evenings we take pictures of the vibrant sunsets that fill the sky.  It’s fascinating to watch the Amish & Mennonite farmers plant & harvest by hand.  Produce stands overflow with abundance that is inexpensive & beautiful, and there are dozens of local orchards.  Steve planted a large garden for us, so we’ve eaten lots of fresh fruit & veggies this year.  A bonus for our tastebuds but a negative for our waistlines is several family owned bakeries nearby that specialize in “made from scratch” donuts and other pastries.

This year at Bethany Grace Fellowship has been encouraging and healing.

Worshiping on Sunday mornings, praying together on Wednesday nights, and sharing life with our home group has been such a blessing.   Steve feels honored and humbled to serve with the church staff, the Elders and Care Team.  Pam of course loves connecting with the ladies’ through Bible studies and fellowship activities.  Justin serves in the AV ministry and has learned the new sound board as well as details for live-streaming the service.   Katelyn moderated our services on YouTube this spring and started assisting with children’s ministry this fall.  They both enjoy youth group and have made several friends there.

Our “children” have become adults.

—Josh & Alaina moved from their 1^st apartment to their 1^st home in September and celebrated their 1^st anniversary in October.  We’ve been able to see them every 2-3 months with us taking turns going back & forth between PA & VA. Watching them grow in their love for each other and in their careers is a joy!

—Amanda turned 21 in March. While the spring shutdown was hard in many ways, we had the unexpected bonus of having both she & Pam’s Dad live with us for 3 months.  Amanda moved back to Charlottesville in June, worked in home health care, and began her Senior year at UVA in the School of Nursing.  Pam drove down to visit her one weekend each month, and Amanda came home at Thanksgiving til January.  Listening to her describe what she is learning in the hospital and observing her compassion for others warms our hearts!

–Justin & Katelyn started working at Shady Maple Market (a large grocery store & smorgasbord a mile from the house) this summer and in the fall got their driver’s licenses.   It’s been challenging to switch high schools, but we’re proud of how they worked hard with online classes in the spring and in person for the fall.  We even had the bonus of getting to cheer with their marching band at several home games.  Justin is a Senior, turns 18 in Jan., and is doing well in with game design & computer programming.  Katelyn is a Junior, turned 18 in Nov. and is taking Vet Science this semester (in which she hopes to major).

Our extended family is now closer.

Since Steve’s family is now just 45 min. west of us, and Pam’s family is 1 hr & 15 min east of us, we’ve shared many holidays, birthdays, and even spur of the moment get-togethers.  The cousins create their own adventures, and Pam meets up for lunch with her sister, sister in law, or Dad each month.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

 In many ways 2020 has been a year of uncertainty with COVID shutdowns, racial unrest,  economic downturns, and election upheaval.  Many of you have faced sickness, the loss of a loved one, job changes, disappointments and pain.  The rest of Psalm 46 continues with the truths we cling to…” Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall…The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  

May you know and share our Savior’s Peace & Joy & Comfort this Christmas and into 2021.

Love in Christ,

Steve & Pam, Amanda, Justin, and Katelyn