Greetings family and friends! Happy 2004!

We can't believe that we are in our 13th year (from last July 4th till July 4th, 2004) in the Northwest! I think that's the record for us! Nothing's the same! Every year brings its challenges and growing times! To God we are grateful!

Jeramie Joy is still "growing and learning" in her library job as Assistant Page in the King County Library System, Redmond Regional Library. She started there in August 2002 and has new challenges every day.

Jason is at UPS (night job) but doing his own entrepreneurial things on the web as well. He has vision and hope for success there. He finally made one of three big decisions. He bought a new 2003 Chevy S10 truck like the one below, except his is Indigo Blue. You have to write and ask him what the other two are. Email Address

Winn has had some awesome experiences in 2003, once in a lifetime kind. They have been life-changing for him. Some of his experiences are shared on Winn's Blog! One exciting experience was spending two days with Eugene Peterson, [pictured below] the author of The Message.

Winn also entered a new DMin [Doctor of Ministry] program in August 2003 at George Fox University Seminary, Portland, OR [a couple of his friends asked if they will have to call him "doctor, doctor" ]. Much of the program includes an extreme amount of reading, writing papers, and weekly online interaction with those in the cohort and the professor (they can see each other and talk to each other—pretty cool!!!!). They also have to respond to their reading online and to others' comments as well. Winn always feels a "little" behind, but is enjoying the challenge! It is a 3-year program (the last year being the time he writes his thesis/dissertation)! He has to go to classes in Portland or somewhere 3 times plus attend some other seminars. It deals with Leadership in the Emerging Church.

Winn is also doing a Bible Study (two times a week, most weeks) from the comfort of his office over the Net with a group in Florida. They can see him, and they talk to teach other. Cool stuff! They express that they are learning and growing so much in the few weeks they've been doing this as compared to all the years they attended church. They're motivated to study and Winn's encouraging them to apply and use what they're learning - with and for others.

I went to Dallas, TX with my sister last summer (2003) to a Mary Kay Seminar. What a spread! My only complaint was the "Dallas heat" (and waiting in lines outside in the heat for the buses which transported us). Also, my sister was sick when we left, so that wasn't pleasant, especially for her. She still made it (somehow) to several times she was honored. We went one day early to be able to take the tours of the Corporate Offices and the Manufacturing Plant. Check out my websites at Improving Your Image or Mary Kay®.

This school year I was given the opportunity to "job share" with the gal I "subbed for" last Spring while she was gone on maternity leave. She only wanted to teach part-time this school year, so they made a way for us to each teach .6 (3 classes each) of Middle School Reading (some "Developmental Reading" and some "Supported Reading"). I also do two hours of Title One IA (Instructional Asst) each day, which helped me keep my "seniority" there, though they may be phasing out IAs. However, with all that, I'm still part-time, but feel like I'm there most of the time anyway. I try to take all the workshops and computer tech classes that I can (for supplemental hours). I do an after-school activity (called X-Room or Homework Room) for 1.5 hours on most Tuesdays. Middle school kids are always challenging. You have to either love them or teach another level. There's no middle ground.

Jeramie and I try to plan one Wednesday afternoon a month to do something together (mother-daughter time).

The guys have their "male bonding times" usually over computer issues, watching certain TV programs and discussing them, or while eating out.

We pray that the new year brings challenges for growth, relationships renewed, love, peace and joy from our wonderful God in this time when we could be gripped by fear instead. God is faithful! Let us also be faithful to Him!

Love,