2003 Christmas Letter

Dear Friends:

Christmas 2002

What a roller coaster of a year this has been! And how important to remember that our God is a God of new beginnings!

Christmas ’02 found our family together for the first time since the fall of ’97 – right after Dave and Maia were married. Since Chris and Melodie both living with us in Calgary, we were able to drive, together, all the way to Atlanta, where we could join Dave and Maia, along with Bren and Jace, to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. We arrived back in Calgary on January 2nd.

Dave (who turned 30 a couple of weeks ago!!!) and Maia are now in their 4th year in Sugar Hill, just north of Atlanta. Dave continues to work for Pfizer Pharmaceutical there. Maia has been working at Egleston Children’s Hospital at Emory University 3 years, and has a new position in the ER. They welcomed a new little boy into their family, Joel David (May 15) – a little brother for Bren and Jace, their 2½ year-old twins. In their spare time (??!!??), both Dave and Maia have been working toward Master of Counseling degrees. We had the joy of spending a week with them when Joel was just a month old. What a great time we had playing with Bren and Jace, taking them to our date restaurant (On The Border), to the playground, and especially to the Water Park!

Chris continued to develop his career in web design, as Sketchboy Productions. (www.thesketchpad.net.) One site he designed (www.sk8palace.com) won as the best skate park site in the US! At the end of August, he moved to Abbotsford, where he continues to hone his skills, and make use of his artistic abilities. He’s been attending Northview Com-munity Church since moving to the Lower Mainland, and is one of the featured singers in their annual “Night Before Christmas” event. With 14 productions over a week and a half, it’s quite the experience – way beyond a Christmas Pageant. In addition, he’s been on Atkins, and has lost over 55 lb.

With Melodie’s move to Calgary, she became involved with South Meadows Community Church, a relatively new Salvation Army church plant. This has been an excellent experience for her, as she was preparing to enter The Salvation Army’s College for Officers Training in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in September. She’s really enjoying the ministry opportunities this is giving her, and most of her classes. In ’05, she will be ordained as a Salvation Army Officer, hoping to eventually serve overseas once again.

Joel David Routly

For us, this has been another year of tremendous transition. After 22 years of ministry, the Lord has led Phil into the investment industry, with the plan to open an Edward Jones Investments office in Langley in March ‘04. So far, he’s completed two Canadian Securities courses, has written four exams, and is beginning the insurance training aspects of becoming an Investment Advisor. It certainly is stretching, but he is thoroughly enjoying it.

As Elsie continues to seek her place of employment, the Lord is clarifying her love for children and her desire to see them grow well both physically and spiritually. Waiting on God’s direction in His time is a challenge. Our move to a new home and with all its challenges and changes has filled most of her time. The renewing old friendships and beginning of new ones has been great.

Leaving Calgary was a very difficult decision, as it meant leaving behind friends at several churches (Hawkwood, Foothills Alliance, Berkshire and South Meadows), Calgary Choral, and Ranch-lands Playcare where Elsie had worked for 2½ years. With our arrival in the lower mainland, we found a warm welcome at North Langley Community Church, and have been enjoying our time there. The worship is dynamic, and we are really blessed through participating in a small group. Phil was able to teach a spiritual gifts class at a ROOTS disciple-ship day. It has been a pleasure to renew friendships we’ve had since living in Langley in the late ‘90s, as well as to meet many new friends. Prayers and support never go unappreciated!

What an incredible year! God bless, Merry Christmas, and may 2004 be a year of God’s grace! Now, let’s just settle down for a while…

Phil and Elsie Routly

Add comment December 14th, 2003 Phil