2011 Year in Review

Dear Family and Friends,

As we approached Thanksgiving again this year, we took some time to look back over the year and count our blessings from the Lord.

The big news of the year is that the Lord blessed us with another little one just after Christmas–Elijah Christian.  He is growing fast, and we are finding it hard to believe that he is crawling already and will be walking very soon. He is a ready smiler, and very few things are more precious than his bright little grin.

Faith Anna continues to grow too! She loves books and being a “mommy” to all her dolls and stuffed animals. She cooks for them, feeds them, potty trains them (!), reads to them, prays with them, and puts them down for naps.  She’s working on her first memory verse, and on occasion, we can hear her saying cheerfully to one of her dolls, “All we like sheep have gone astray …” (Isaiah 53:6).

We are thankful that Faith loves to pray (although her words are still unintelligible to us).  We rarely finish a meal without Faith insisting that we join hands and pray three of four times.  We pray that she will grow to be like her name-sake, Anna in the Temple serving God with fasting and prayers night and day (Luke 2:37).

We love our children dearly and pray that as they continue to mature, they will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

Evelyn’s days are filled mainly with taking care of Faith and Elijah. From reading books, singing songs, coloring pictures, “helping” Mommy with chores, playing with toys, to cuddling, Faith and Elijah keep her very busy! During their nap times, she catches up on chores, paperwork, ministry related things, cooking, etc. In between, she still participates in church music with the piano and the harp and in discipleship and outreach. The Lord is gradually shifting her focus to the ministry of raising two precious little children for His glory. Life is definitely not boring!

We’ve also had the privilege to open up our home for hospitality. Over the year, we have had many hospitality evenings with dinner and fellowship with different families from the church, neighbors, and other individuals that we have met.

I (Stephen) continued to work thirty hours per week at ThrillingAudio.com most of the year.  The part-time hours enable me to spend more time on ministry.  We are thankful for God’s provision through such good employment.  I am thankful to have a great boss (my older brother, Jonathan) and co-workers.

I have continued to teach Family School at Fellowship Baptist.  This year we studied the books of Esther, Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah.  This October concluded a 7 year study of the Old Testament.  Currently we are doing a high level overview and review of the Old Testament and looking forward to diving into the Gospels next Spring.

Other ministry highlights of the year include a Chinese New Year party in February. This outreach was focused mainly on the Chinese students who are here for studies. In addition to amazing food, Evelyn’s father, Bill Chu, presented a message on the history of Chinese characters and the Gospel. More details and pictures can be found on our blog.

Thank you all for your love and prayers.  Each day that passes, we are more confident that faithful is our God who called us, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).  May God bless you all!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Stephen, Evelyn, Faith & Elijah Wesco