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 ana's Christmas letter and links to music and pictures from 2010! 2010 Christmas Letter
by Lana Elder Hope you're having a great holiday! We're getting ready for Christmas here at the farmhouse where Eric grew up. We moved back in May and are loving life in the country (our new address is at the bottom of this letter). The kids made a snowman Tuesday by the barn, so we braved the cold yesterday morning to send you a quick picture of the family. Karis (19) is home for a few weeks from her sophomore year at Liberty University in Virginia. She loves everything about school...her classes, her dorm, her teachers, her friends, the people who serve food at the restaurants...everything! She's been posting a picture every day at school on a Facebook page called "365 of Liberty." You can look it up on Facebook and click "Like" if you'd like to follow along and keep up with all she's doing. Lucas (18) finished up his senior year of homeschooling this year and will be heading off to Hillsong International Leadership College in January in Sydney, Australia. He's especially excited about learning how to write worship songs, as Hillsong puts out a lot of great contemporary worship music that is used in churches today. He's been playing a lot of classical songs on the piano lately, and we recorded some of them a few weeks ago. Here's a link where you can listen and order a copy on CD if you'd like, and help him get to Australia! Makari (16) turned 16 in September and is driving now. She loves singing and acting, and is hoping to star in a movie anytime, anywhere if you have any ideas or connections! She's loving her hip-hop dance class on Monday nights, and loves doing art projects as well. Her favorite memories from the year were having her favorite band, Fickles Lot, come and give her a personal concert here at the farm for her birthday, and going to the Cornerstone Music Festival. Josiah (12) has been a big help around the house this year, stepping up to soon take over Lucas's role as the next eldest son at home. He loves playing both outside and inside, whether shooting a BB gun, fighting his brothers with homemade bellagarth swords, or playing video games on the Wii. He's become an avid reader (and if you know of any great books or series of books for a twelve-year old, let us know). He's loves learning all-around, whether it's Latin, taking swimming lessons or playing the piano. Bo (10) loves life on the farm as well, especially zipping down the zip line from the second story of the barn to the tree in the yard, or swinging from the rope that hangs from the top of the barn. He's picked up on his reading this year and is almost finished reading the longest book he's ever read, the 870 page "Order of the Phoenix." And like Josiah, he loves swimming, sword fighting, video games, and playing the piano. Kaleo (7) is still a princess, having painted her room with pink swirls and a princess trellis wall. Her favorite things this year were being in the Nutcracker Ballet this month with her dance studio and taking art lessons at the YMCA. She also loves holding our new bunny "Snuggles," which we acquired this summer, and the cat we found at the farm when we moved here. The last of our gerbils died a few weeks ago, but our dog, Bell (8), is still going strong. We've really enjoyed living in the country, the first time for the kids and me, and about 30 years since Eric's lived out here. We've spent a lot of time renovating the house this year, planting a big garden, taking long walks in the country, watching the sunsets in the evening, and the stars come out at night. We continue to homeschool the kids and do the Internet ministry, which you can read more about at www.theranch.org. Although we wish we could have been in Bethlehem that first Christmas morning, we remember the words of Jesus to Thomas, who got to touch Jesus's hands and side after His resurrection: "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing!" (John 3:29, The Message). We pray that God fills your hearts with hope and faith again this Christmas! Love, P.S. By the way, here's our new address: 25615 E 3000 North Rd, Chenoa, IL 61726, and here are some more pictures from the year if you'd like to take a look! |
