January Update...

Happy New Year, everyone! The year of change has ended, and so begins the year of...uh...I don't know what to call it. We seem to have settled in quite well here in California. There were, and I percieve that there still may be, some unforseen bumps in the road, but ultimately God has been absolutely and truly awesome in every aspect of our transition back to the States from Korea. We still have many fond memories of our time there, and we still miss all of those we left behind there, students and co-workers alike; but we are excited for what this year holds for us and our new church family here in Martinez.

Speaking of unforseen bumps, the new year started off on a somewhat negative note with the radiator in our little truck giving up the ghost. But with a little help from a church member, a little elbow grease, and about $130, she was back up and running in no time. At the very least, it happened to the truck, which I know I'm able to work on without having to take it to a mechanic. If it had been the Cadillac, we'd have been in some pretty hot water, what with all the gizmos and gadgets it has under the hood. Also, it presented a good opportunity for this man from our church and I to spend a little bit of time together. So, all in all, we'll chalk it up as a good experience.

We are about half-way through our first year of homeschooling. Dulcy and the kids are hitting their stride, so to speak, and getting a lot accomplished. She took the kids to the library downtown (only about a 15-20 minute walk from our house) one day last week to work on a report on George Washington Carver. Dulcy told me that the librarian said she couldn't remember the last time a parent brought their child to the library to work on homework. That's kind of sad, I suppose, as there is so much more in the experience of going to the library than the mere acquisition of knowledge. Everyone's grades are doing well, although we can't say the we agree 100% with how some of their work has been evaluated by ABeka. I guess that comes with the territory, though. Keep praying that Dulcy and the kids will continue to do a good job in accomplishing this task that was set before them by factors over which they had no control. And please also pray that there will be some way for the kids to return to a traditional school setting next year. Whether that means a teaching job for me, or a step-up in salary, or whatever means God chooses to use, please join us in praying towards that end.

Our church members have been taking a lot of hits lately. Pastor Rushing's father just passed away. Our head deacon's son-in-law passed away last month. Yet another church member's mother passed away last month. Another member had to go under the knife on Sunday for a growth on the back of her neck that has been causing her severe headaches. Another deacon's step-father is not doing well physically, and another member will be having hip-replacement surgery this Friday. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the evil one is at work, but He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. Please pray that our church flourishes under this time of difficulty and spiritual oppression. But even during these trials, we had a visitor on Sunday that said she has been listening to the podcast that Pastor sends out, and has decided to come. So, God is at work, too! Pray that we will remain faithful and ready to be used by Him as He works.

The past holidays have presented a number of opportunities for fellowship. We had a game night on New Year's Eve that was a success. We had about 20 people there altogether, and we all stayed until about 1:30am. We just had another game night after the evening service Sunday, as many of our members didn't have to report to work on Monday because of MLK Day. And those aren't even counting the Christmas get-togethers that were had, and the youth activities. Fellowship is something that I believe to be especially important in the forming of strong bonds between the brethren. So, please pray that more of these opportunities will present themselves and that members would continue to join in the fellowship.

Well, that's about it, I think. As we've always said, we absolutely covet your prayers for us, and hope that you will share your requests with us, too, so that we may pray on your behalf.

In His Service in Northern California,
Sam, Dulcy, Michael, David, and Katherine Healey.
Mark 10:45