Merry Christmas!

It's been a long while since I've written an entry here. I guess the saying, "no news is good news" applies in this instance. It's been a very busy last couple of months, though nothing compares to the 3 crazy weeks I spent in Manila after Typhoon Ondoy slammed through the city. Aside from the cycle of working and recovering from the night shift, I've continued to slowly but surely prepare myself for the Philippines next year. As you know, my plan is to move there full time as soon as I reach full support in order to serve at the Shalom Christian Birthing Clinic. My first newsletter went out this week to a limited mailing list. I hope to send out my first full newsletter shortly after the new year arrives. If you would like to receive this letter or would like to be added to my mailing list, please e-mail me or leave me a comment. Included in this letter will be my brand new, hot off the press prayer card! :)

Seeing that it's Christmas Eve today, I'm reminded of the whole reason I am on this earth: to glorify and honor the mighty Savior who chose to enter the world 2000 years ago in the form of a little baby born to lowly parents. It's easy to forget the majesty and honor this Savior demands and deserves when we consider He was born in a manger likely contaminated with the drool of the stable animals it served. And yet how much more filth did He carry when He took our place on the cross?

I'd like to believe that Mary was similar to many of the mothers that Shalom Christian Birthing Clinic serves: young, frightened, overwhelmed with the thought of the fragile life entrusted to her, and unsure of how to provide in a life of poverty. Scriptures don't say whether a Bethlehemite midwife attended the birth or if Joseph uneasily served the purpose. However, these sure make interesting thoughts to ponder!

My prayer for myself and for all I know is that the anticipation we feel for Christmas gifts and time with family dims in comparison to our anticipation for Christ: not just for His return, but for His working in our lives in order to more fully glorify Himself.

Merry Christmas! And in the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us every one."