2004 Christmas Letter

Dear Friends:

January brought forward what was truly a year of new beginnings!

Christmas ’03 found Elsie, Phil, and Chris in Langley, Melodie in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Dave and Maia, with their three boys, Bren, Jace and Joel in Atlanta. This year, we all gather in Atlanta, and are we ever looking forward to it!

Dave (who is now 31) and Maia are now in their 5th year in Sugar Hill, just north of Atlanta. Dave has been working his way through his practicum and internship, and will soon have his Master of Counseling degree, with an emphasis on marriage and family counseling. Maia has continued to work at Egleston Children’s Hospital at Emory University, mostly on weekends. Their youngest son, Joel, is 19 months old, the little brother for Bren and Jace, their 3½ year-old twins. And, there’s another one on the way. In January, Bryce Gray Stewart will arrive. They did have their hands full, and now… We haven’t seen them since June ’02, and can’t wait to see them this month.

Chris continues to develop his career in web design, as Sketchboy Productions. (www.thesketchpad.net). He has also expanded his expertise into video production, as animator for “George W. Bushisms,” a DVD focusing on Dubya’s many mispronunciations and flubs. It’s available through Chris’ website. In September, he moved in with some more friends, and was able to take his cat, Sushi, with him. He’s attending Northview Community Church, and once again is one of the featured singers in their annual “Night Before Christmas” event. With 16 productions over a week and a half, it takes a lot out of him, but he really enjoys it. Thanks to Dr. Atkins, he’s been very successful at taking off, and keeping off, the weight.

Melodie is well into her second year at The Salvation Army’s College for Officers Training in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Over the summer, she served in Labrador City – another interesting experience, and in March, she will be going to Zambia for three weeks. In June ’05, she will be ordained as a Salvation Army Officer, and expects to serve somewhere in Canada for a few years – BC’s Lower Mainland would be okay with us! In the future, she’s still hoping to serve overseas once again.

We keep wondering when “tremendous transition” will come to an end! A year ago, Phil was finishing his studies to open an Edward Jones Investment office. He began market research in the Willoughby area of Langley, and opened his business in March. When June rolled around, he was asked to take over an existing office in Aldergrove – just 3 minutes from where we live. Since then, it has been an incredible opportunity to serve people by helping them develop plans for retirement, education, etc.

In January, Elsie began to work at Noah’s Ark Day Care, a Christian ministry in Brookswood. Five days a week, she’s able to get her kid-fix! Since she can’t hug her own grandchildren because of the distance, at least she can hug others! Elsie’s responsibilities are mostly with the infants and toddlers. Noah’s Ark is operated by New Beginnings, a ministry that provides containers filled with donated items for various missions around the world.

Returning to the Langley area was a very difficult decision. We left behind many great friends, but since moving back, we’ve been able to both renew old friendships and begin new ones. We worshipped for our first year here at North Langley Community Church, and were able to participate in a small group there. With Phil taking over an office in Aldergrove, we thought it would be better to get to know more people in this community. Since September, we’re been attending Northview, where Chris goes, and again participate in a care group.

We are now traveling down a road that had never occurred to us. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways, at the same time as He has been challenging and stretching us. In many ways, our inspiration has been the life of Joseph in Exodus, a servant of God in all circumstances, whom God used mightily, serving the needs of those around him, to God’s glory.

May it be with us!

Have a wonderful Christmas, and a remarkable 2005!

Phil and Elsie Routly

Add comment December 12th, 2004 Phil