Greetings from Huntsville, Alabama!
Graduation
We graduated on the 16th, Chris with a BA in Computer Science and Vocational Ministry and Casey with a BA in English. Though we have really enjoyed our time at Harding, it is such a blessing to finally be done after working so long and hard. We've never known such freedom! We praise God for bringing us together at Harding, and we are so grateful to our parents for giving us such an amazing opportunity. Looking back at all the memories, God really has been good to us.
Maggie's College
Speaking of God being good to us, right before we graduated, a young married couple, Brad and Kate Hill, came to us wanting to help with our mission plans. They offered to pay for one credit hour of Maggie's college for each month that we are on the field. College education for our children has been a big concern for us, and, through Brad and Kate, God has again provided for us.
Our New House
The weekend before graduation, we had a garage sale and sold most of our things, especially furniture. On the 17th, we packed up everything in our car and Casey's sister, Lesley's, car and drove to Huntsville. The Central Church of Christ in Huntsville already had set up a little house for us to live in, so we just came right to it and began moving in. This church has been so good to us, and we already feel like a part of the family. We are very thankful to be here and feel God's hand in this move. Our first Sunday here, a young Vietnamese girl, Anna, was baptized. Praise God!
Thomas Wedding
On the 22nd of December, we drove up to the small town of Harrisburg, Illinois to attend our good friends' wedding. Nathan Thomas and Laura Holt (now Thomas) are some friends we have made fairly recently, but who have grown very dear to us. They are seriously considering joining us in going to Cambodia. Please be praying for all of us as we dream about the future and our place in God's mission.
Christmas
This year was the first year that we have been able to have Christmas with just our family. We have only had two Christmases together, one of which we went to Chris' family, and the other to Casey's. This Christmas we celebrated first with just the three of us and then had Christmas breakfast with Casey's family.
Our New Website
Toward the end of December, Caleb Bell wrote us an email saying that he and his wife Lindsey would like to pay for our first year of web hosting. Thanks to Caleb and Lindsey, we now have a brand new website that you can visit at allisonmission.com. While you are there, please be sure and sign our guest book or contact us in some way to let us know you dropped by.
We would love to hear from any of you, please reply to this email and let us know how you're doing. If you'd rather leave a message on our website, call us, or even come visit us, we would love it. We appreciate each of you and the relationship we have with you. God bless you and your families and Happy New Year!
