The Lord gave us an encouraging start to the year. It wasn't high attendance or brilliant weather. It was just a refreshing day of ministry. A special blessing was having a young girl walk to church last night arriving about 20 minutes into the service. We haven't seen her family in attendance recently but it was a blessing to have her back with us. Please pray for her family to return as well. We miss seeing them in our services.

Katie and the kids are back in school today. I know she would appreciate your prayers as they start back up. Her pregnancy is going very well. She had some back pain this past week but that has subsided.

Our weather has been very soggy. In the last several weeks, the UK has been hit with the worst storms for over 20 years. Winds and rain have been the norm about every other day. Unfortunately the precipitation has been rain instead of snow. :( But, with the temperatures in the United States just now, I prefer rain.

Thanks for your part in our ministry. We are excited about what God is already doing in 2014.

Benson and I had a fun father/son outing yesterday. I've always enjoyed finding agates. I didn't realize until this past year that Scotland has agates. I thought some of the kids that visit our site would enjoy seeing some of these semi precious stones. I don't think I'll ever get over the glory of this aspect  of God's creation. The first two pictures are of the same agate. I broke it open.

The Lord gave us a very fun evening at our family film night. We showed the BJU Unusual Films, "The Printing." (Praise God for men and womene who continue to serve Him despite persecution.) We had good attendance and a fun time as we played some table games afterwards. Thanks for praying for our evening.

The Lord gave us a great evening. We used a different room which gave us a lot more space. It is the same room that we used for the evangelistic meeting. The kids did a great job with their carol. Everyone participated well and we had good attendance. I preached on  Isaiah 9:6 on the Names of Jesus. Twice it says in that verse "...unto us...."  Praise God that Jesus is a personal gift.

We wish you a very merry Christmas. Thanks for your prayers for our ministry.

We enjoyed seeing some wintry showers yesterday. Unfortunately the temps at our altitude are a bit too warm yet. The Pentland hills near us received a pretty coat of snow which I enjoyed seeing as I walked this morning.

God gave us a good day yesterday. It wasn't record attendance but there was a sweet spirit and it was good attendance. I'm very thankful for those God has brought into our ministry.

It was good to have Mark Hikin with us last night. They discharged him from the hospital yesterday. He has still got a complicated health need. Please pray for God's continued healing and protection.

The weather is going to get interesting again tomorrow. We've had one storm after another recently. They are calling for storm force winds tomorrow. So, we will see how that affects our service tomorrow night. How's that Christmas song go? "Outside the winds are blowing and friends are bawling, "boo hoo." ....something like that... :) I'd rather sing the other version. 

We're looking forward to the day tomorrow as we have our last Sunday before Christmas. We have one more children's choir practice before their ministry at the Christmas Eve Carol Service. They have worked hard during our choir practices and we've enjoyed our time together.

We are having very interesting weather lately. Wet and very windy has been our norm for the last week or so. That continues through the weekend. Thankfully from my perspective we have increased opportunities for some snow showers in our future. :) We (I) wouldn't mind seeing some snow flakes around Christmas time. It looks like the winds will die down in time for our carol service on Christmas Eve.

Mark Hikin had a bit of encouragement today. The Dr.'s are allowing him to go home during the day. That is a blessing as he can be with his family. (It is difficult to get them up to the hospital.) Please continue to pray for God's grace in shrinking this abscess on his appendix.

Please continue praying for Mark. He is still in the hospital with an abscess from his ruptured appendix. They can't drain it yet because it is too risky. He's been in a lot of pain and has to daily wait for decisions about what they are going to do. Meanwhile, his family is missing him at home.  He is also their transportation. With Christmas coming they would really like to see him out of the hospital, but they also want what is best for his health. Thanks for taking this need to the Lord.

I heard that very question today from a man who has lived 18 months with cancer. He was told when diagnosed that he has two years. Please pray for God to meet the spiritual and physical need that he has. He envied my faith but I told him that he could come to faith in God as well. I gave him a John and Romans and a track about accepting Jesus as his personal Savior. He knew what I was talking about when I mentioned being born again. He used to watch a television preacher who God used to bring many to Christ. Perhaps that seed sown back then will bring a harvest before it is too late.

Aren't you glad that we have a book that is authoritative and that mankind has never and will never disprove? They have their theories but they will be proven false at the judgment seat of Christ. My heart goes out to this "hopeless" world. They have thrown God out of everything and they wonder why so many are committing suicide and turning to drink. I could tell you of 4 suicides that I have heard about within 7 miles of our home. (That is in the last two weeks.) 20 people a week are dying from alcohol in Scotland. (Those are the documented cases of death from alcohol.)

Our world needs the light. Please pray for God's bright Light to open the eyes of a sin darkened world. We are looking forward to sharing the Light on Christmas Eve. I've put out flyers the last two days. Please pray for a good attendance and a great evening.

update on Mark: He has another scan today to see if the abscess has shrunk. If so, he may be allowed to go home with an oral antibiotic. Thanks for praying for him.

The ladies had a great time last night. There was an excellent turnout and Adele's Bible study was very well presented. I thought you'd enjoy seeing some pictures. Hopefully you aren't hungry. If so you may want to eat something before seeing these delicious pictures. I'll also include one from Logan's recent birthday. 

Please continue to pray for Mark Hikin. The abscess is shrinking with the antibiotics. They have said that they may not need to remove his appendix but just treat this abscess. Please pray that the doctors make wise decisions and for God's continued grace for Mark and his family. I told him that many of your were praying and he appreciates your prayers very much.

We just had sweet encouragement from the Lord. The delivery man rang the doorbell just a moment ago. He had two identical size boxes from two different churches. They were full of wonderful things for our family and are now waiting for Christmas morning. Tears came to my eyes as I looked inside them and rejoiced in the love of God's people. What is inside if fun and the kid's are going to go nuts. But, the love contained in those gifts is even more wonderful.