As we slurp down some eggnog and snack on confections,
We take a few moments to share this year’s reflections.
We’ve seized opportunities, taken in the sights.
Here are just a few of 2018’s highlights:
From Brazil, we hosted the Souza clan
And worshiped together at Nashville’s WinterJam.
In Portuguese and English our families did pray.
Then David turned twelve on Valentine’s Day.
With Isaac’s fourth in June, Stephen’s fifteenth in July,
Levi’s tenth in December, the time really flew by!
This year instead of gifts, we chose six trips to Dollywood
The memories we’ve had there have been jolly good.
We flew up to Alaska and rented an RV
For the Iditarod Trail, and a few hikes in Denali,
Kenai Fjords, Valdez, and down Homer Spit.
For a bbq lunch, we stopped at Turnagain Arm Pit.
We drove alongside the Trans-Alaskan pipeline
And panned for gold at Independence Mine.
We witnessed volcanoes along the Ring of Fire,
Beholding God’s beauty, we never did tire.
To the largest national park, Wrangell St Elias —
No matter the place, the time seemed to fly by us!
We walked upon glaciers and visited the North Pole,
Now we’re only one state away from our 50-state goal!
This year our family business has grown to include
Curriculum for missions and advent ornaments, too!
We released Truth Traveler, a new copy book
With art and poetry – and unveiled a new website look.
Other highlights this year? “Sign of Love” in the fall
And for the first time ever, Stephen played basketball
A new hobby – raising chickens, among other things.
That brings us to Christmas and the True Gift that it brings.
Long ago in a stable a baby was born
A Gift to a world all broken and torn.
He came to this earth to rescue mankind
He healed broken hearts, gave sight to the blind.
He loved and He challenged. He taught and forgave.
He died and then rose to life the third day.
This baby was born to die on Calvary
God’s own Son, His Gift to all humanity.
This time of year, our hearts we uplift:
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Merry Christmas!
Gary, Brandy, Stephen, David, Levi, and Isaac Ferrell
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6