Happy New Year! How did you celebrate the entry of 2014? With a party? With the family in the comfort of your home?

We welcomed in the New Year playing Uno using an ironing board as a table and then drinking sparkling juice out of paper cups at midnight at a motel in Holdrege, Neb. My parents have seen enough years start and don’t stay up until midnight anymore.

We were in my hometown the week after Christmas to be part of a wedding reception for my brother. Although it was a great family time, the cold and snow reminded us why we prefer Orlando’s winter weather.

Now we’re back home. Michael is at the University of Central Florida and Bethany is at Trevecca Nazarene University. They have both started their new semesters, and we’re both back at work. In addition to our ongoing roles, Anne Marie and I are tackling two major projects.

We continue to work on the next training events to help our fellow Cru staff members become better writers, and Anne Marie met with two staff members here at our headquarters to coach them in writing. This is the result of Anne Marie’s six years of developing Writing For Life. I’m glad that our magazine team benefits from the training and that this gives us a chance to work together to help others become better communicators.

We’re also working to meet with friends in Florida to talk about our ministry with Cru. We are praying that about 20 more families will join our team of ministry partners.

Please pray for us as we tackle both of these projects. Specifically,
• Please ask God to give us wisdom as we set the dates for the upcoming training, plan the conference contents and invite people from across the United States.
• Ask God to help us connect with people, whom He is calling to join our ministry team.
• Continue to pray for Bethany and Michael—especially that they will develop strong, beneficial relationships with people around them on their respective campuses.

Thanks for your prayers, generosity and role in our lives in this new year.