I am emailing our Christmas letters this year, since with all our supporters from being overseas we have hundreds to send out! I have had many bounce back...wrong emails apparently! So while I still have many to send (I am sending them in batches) I thought I would post it here for those of you who may be interested! And if you are on our supporters list, but have a new email..let us know! Thanks!!
Hello everyone! Merry Christmas! We hope this letter finds you all enjoying this wonderful time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior! Our family is celebrating in a more traditional way this year! Last year we were in Malawi, Africa during the Christmas season. We were living there doing missions work. It was 95 degrees and sunny, there was very little commercialism, and we were al by ourselves! Though we loved the simplicity of the holiday, we missed our friends and family very much, so we are very happy to be able to spend the holiday with them this year! This year finds us in Troy, NY (near Albany) working at a wonderful little church here. For those who may not know, in April we came home from Malawi after breaking ties with Acts 3 Ministries. We stayed with Shawn’s parents for a few months, had several speaking engagements as missionary speakers, and eventually found ourselves candidating at Green Hills Alliance Church. It was small – on the verge of closing – but we are up to the challenge and are enjoying the people and the area. (I – Heather – DO NOT like winter, but am dealing! ) We live in a nice area of the city in the top of a charming little brownstone. My brother in law says it reminds him of the Cosby Show from the outside! God provided fro us in amazing ways yet again as we did not have any furniture or anything to furnish our own place. Our stuff is from the shipping container that never went is still in Georgia, and the rest is in Malawi! Though we lack a year, there is plenty of room to play at the church, and some neat parks nearby. We are close to the library, a farmer’s market, and Little Italy – with some of the best Italian food ever! Come visit – it will be tight quarters, but lots of fun! So what about Malawi? Well we take each day and try to live in obedience to God. I don’t pretend to know all His plans anymore – I am just learning to enjoy all the different adventures and opportunities He gives! We continue to home school. John is in 6th grade, and started youth group this year! (I am feeling very old!) Anna is in 3rd grade, and Andrew is doing a combo of Kindergarten and 1st. RJ likes to think he’s in school, but his primary teachers are the Little Einstein kids and Backyardigans! When we first got back from Africa we were able to spend lots of time with family and friends. We started in Savannah with some of our closest friends – the Thomas family! We got to see both of our church families in that area – the Grace Church and the Port Wentworth CMA Church. We got to see Shawn’s good friend and mentor, Terry and Ruth Smith, as we made our way up the coast. When we finally made it all the way up North we were able to spend a few days with all of our parents and siblings (Except Dan and Heidi in Idaho…sniff, sniff! ) We even spent some time in East Hampton with my sister Sommer and her family so Shawn could speak at their church. We spent to weeks in Kinsman, OH visiting our church family there and feeling very loved on! We were just getting back and feeling out of place and unsure of so much! It was wonderful to be able to spend a couple weeks with people who love us and know us so well! It was healing for us as well as the kids who got to go to VBS there and enjoy old friends! We were asked to speak at Delta Lake for Family Camp and Senior High Camp and absolutely loved that experience! It was the high light of the summer as we hung out with good friends (shout out to the Schuerholzes and Joneses!) and family! The kids got to know some second cousins and had a blast with them! IT was a wonderful time of spiritual renewal and fun!While the kids had their annual Cousin Camp with Shawn’s parents, Shawn and I were able to go to Canada to a friend’s cabin for a week of relaxation and prayer! (Thanks so much, McLaughlins!) Then we got together with Shawn’s extended family again for a celebration of Grandma Boda’s 95th birthday! It was great to be reminded of the wonderful heritage we have! We know that our family would not have survived this year with all it’s transitions and difficulties without your prayers and love. We felt like we had finally gotten settle in Malawi after 8 months just to pick up and have to transition back to the States again! There have been a lot of things that you have prayed for this year…Andrew’s foot surgery in Malawi, our ministry there and for protection when we had to go against leaders in Islam and witchcraft! You prayed as we had to make the decision to come back to the States, and as we worked though all these issues and emotions! You prayed as we floundered around this summer trying to figure out what was next! And you have been praying (again) as we adjust to life in another new place! Shawn and I thank you for your love and compassion to us, and as parents we thanks you, especially, for keeping our children uplifted – you are all so special to us! If you want to keep up with our lives (or see more pics besides the ones I am sending with this letter) you can check out our blog spot: http://www.malawiwally.blogspot.com/ . Or, if you are “Facebookers” you can look us up – we each have a page! Our other info:Home number: (518) 326- 1817, Cell: (607) 279-2244Address: 154 3rd Street, Troy, NY 12180Email: shawnheather96@yahoo.comGod bless you all this season! Shawn, Heather, John, Anna, Andrew, and RJ Wallace
