Cambodian Sunset

And from a New Mexico sunset to one from half-way around the world... Tim left us for Cambodiaon January 3, and as I am posting this, he should be in the air and on his way home on January 23.

In winter's grip

Winter has had us in its grip. Above is a photo of the record-setting two foot snowfall in Rio Rancho which caused Ben and Elsa to miss their flight to Texas and forfeit a few days with the Johnson clan. We all hunkered down at Chris' parents' house and waited out the storm.

Christmas flew past!

Well, the time together flew by much too quickly (at least for me!) Above you'll see us on a bright, sunny Christmas Eve morning (Ben, Elsa, Tim, Chris, Dave). Marilyn was our photographer! We really enjoyed our time with the kids, and enjoyed singing and playing together at church.

Christmas is coming!

Well, the Christmas cards are in the mail and the Homeschool Chorus Concert is later this week. Christmas must be coming! The guys are due home next weekend, and Elsa a week later, and all the Hanson clan are congregating in New Mexico this year. What fun and excitement!

If you are checking out this page for the first time, news appears here from most recent at the top to the older near the bottom. If you want to read further back, just click on the Archive links in the right side bar below, and you can get more than a year of family updates. And feel free to leave comments-- I *love* to know people are sharing our photos and family news!

Also, there are some links in the right side bar you can follow: one is to my other blog page, where I ahve great intentions of posting about books and classical education and whatnot. I am ambitious in theory anyway...

As we begin gathering in and celebrating the season I'll try to post more photos here. What a joyous season! May the Lord richly bless you all and your families as we remember the birth of a baby who would change not just the world, but eternity!

Promised Pictures of the Promising Couple

Here, as promised, are Ben and Elsa shortly after becoming engaged on November 22 in Chicago. (Pictures courtesy of the Johnsons-- Thanks Chris and Donna!)

Aren't they cute?! For 23 years, we have been praying for whomever would be Ben's spouse. We have prayed for her family, for her protection, for her faith, for the Lord to prepare them for each other and to be a godly family. And we are so pleased to know we were praying fro Elsa all that time!

Here are Ben and the Johnson girls (l-r: Mariel, Bethany and Elsa)