From my family to yours...

Another year is dawning, Dear Master, let it be,

In working or in waiting, Another year for Thee.

Another year of progress, Another year of praise,

Another year of proving, Thy presence all the days.

Frances Havergal, 1874

      As the new year dawns, we welcome the opportunity to review and reflect on this past year while preparing for the coming year.

      On December 28, 2006 Billy’s parents celebrated their 50^th anniversary – such a testimony to their children, grandchildren, and now, great grandchild.

      Life remains full and fulfilling.  On Mondays, fifteen homeschool families with 30+ children convene at our home for what Amy and Kaylynn bluntly refer to as “Mass Mayhem” – also known as the co-op.  This consists of the mothers teaching different age-appropriate classes in science, history, literature, etc.  Michael, Joshua and Clara have enjoyed several dissections this year, much to the chagrin of their older siblings, who are less than amused by the sight of sheep organs lying around the kitchen in plastic bags.

      Clara is now seven, and has entered the first grade.  She is enjoying her first year of basketball, and still loves piano lessons with Ms. Judy Causey.  Most days, after finishing her school work, she can be found drawing, coloring, or playing outside with her brothers.

      Michael and Joshua (now ten and eight) spent the summer months in casts, Joshua in a leg cast and Michael an arm.  Not slowing them down a bit, the casts accompanied them to Boys’ Missions Camp in June (with Dad), and served them well as they swam, climbed rock walls, and rode horses.  They continued to enjoy another year of softball, basketball, and piano, however, the highlight of their school year was the father/son campout in nearby Gloster, Mississippi, where they shot guns, played lethal games of  tug-of-war, rode four-wheelers, and fell out of trees (well, maybe just Michael did the falling).  Michael was even able to go on a mission trip to Mexico with Linda, Joy, and Katherine.

      Andrew continues to remain healthy and happy and is hoping for a new wheelchair this year.  After seven years, the old chair is causing much suffering for anyone who even attempts to push it in a straight line.  He still enjoys visits from his therapists through the new City of Central school system.

      Katherine writes: After long months of school, summer finally arrived, and with it, TIA (Teens in Action) camp.  The next week, I attended the Louisiana Baptist All-State Youth Choir, or LBASYC (la-BA-sic), for short.  The whole tour to Texas consisted of eating, sleeping, and driving, with a little sleep on the side – oh and singing.  Then I went back to camp, but this time as a “Wrangler in Training.”  Getting up before six was the only drawback during those two weeks.  Between my two wrangling weeks, I went to my aunt’s VBS in Texas.  Here, I was able to regain lost sleep, and greatly enjoyed “growing roots” to my cousin’s game cube.  We did emerge every now and again for volleyball and food.  Two weeks later, I suddenly found myself with no social life outside of school due to math, piano, debate, apologetics, Latin, history, writing, literature, chemistry, and choir.  I eventually adapted, though riding my horse every day was becoming less and less common.  During the Thanksgiving holidays, I went on a mission trip to Reynosa, Mexico.

      Joy writes: Let's see, I (Joy) am supposed to give a summary of my year.  I guess our amazingly awesome vacation was the best.  Ten people taking a road trip in a motor home; it doesn't get much better than that.  I really did enjoy the relaxing family time that we got to spend together before the whirlwind of summer caught us.  Early in the summer, Katherine and I all got to participate in the Louisiana Baptist All State Youth Choir.  A little advice, though: never go on a choir tour with a sore throat – I had lost my voice completely by the third day of practice.  Most of my summer, however, was spent working at camp as a counselor.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, and of course I learned a lot.  It was really neat to see God working there; even in the lives of 1^st graders.  I’m a junior in school this year and it's been the busiest year yet.  Among our other subjects, Mom and Dad somehow tricked Katherine and me into doing debate.  I'm still not sure how…don't tell, but I'm actually beginning to like it.  My favorite subject is still piano.  I turned 17 this year!  No curfew on my license, but since October I've only stayed our past 11 once.  Unfortunately, I am still directionally challenged, and though no one believes me, I think I'm getting a little bit better.  OK, maybe a tiny bit better.  Moving on…well never mind, I'm done.  Someone else's turn!

      Kaylynn writes: At the beginning of this year, I settled into a daily routine of working when I'd rather be sleeping, sleeping when I ought to have been studying, and studying when the rest of the world is either working or sleeping.  Now, 12 months and, miraculously enough, 26 credits later...my year ends in much the same way it began.  Merry Christmas, everyone.

      Amy writes: With only two tests standing between me and my BA, I’m looking forward to a spring semester without demanding online classes, 50+ papers, or calculus.  I would still like to attend seminary, but am putting that off until the fall so that I can spend a semester putting my business degree to work at Delta.  For 12 weeks this summer I worked at the Judson Baptist Retreat Center as an intern and watched in awe as God changed lives, especially during the week of our 7^th and 8^th grade girls’ camp.  Kaylynn, Joy, the other counselors, and I shared things God had taught us with the 45 girls He brought that week, and we witnessed His Spirit work in their lives.  This year, I’ve learned that my family really can be my best friends –the amazing time we had crammed into a motor home for two weeks cemented that in my mind.  From rigged games of “I Spy” and hours of “Scooby-Doo”, to hiking back up a mountain to recover Joy’s video camera; I treasured every moment of that trip and thank God for my nine best friends.

      Billy and I continue to be amazed at God’s goodness!  This summer we were somehow able to coordinate ten schedules and take a 2 week family vacation out west, something we had talked and dreamed of doing for the past 12 years.  We realized with the girls getting older and schedules getting harder to coordinate, it was now or never.

      We viewed 4500 miles of God’s creation including the Redwoods, Sequoias, Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, Yosemite and Yellowstone.  We learned why buffalo are almost extinct now (they’re not all that bright).  But the highlight of the trip had to be Mom rolling herself up in the window (we have video to prove it!).

      We know it was God’s grace that we were able to spend 2 weeks together in a motor home and not only not kill each other, but really enjoy each other.  We made some precious memories.

      But then again, it is God’s grace that sustains us each day and empowers us to seek His best for our lives and the lives of others.  May God’s grace sustain and empower you and yours this coming year.

The Clarks!

Merry Christmas - your friendship is priceless.