sending our christmas letter on 12seconds.tv

Now for the blooper reel

on 12seconds.tv

Some of you will be getting an email or paper copy as well, but I thought I would put it on here for anyone that cared

Here it is . . .

Continually thankful for your influence in our lives, we wanted to share this past year’s happenings with you. We would say that this year’s experience was centered on Micah 6:8 (NIV) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Let’s start with Walk Humbly . . . God has definitely shown us what is good this past year.  So many blessings. . . we are humbled by the overwhelming love and provision that God has shown us.  Our family continues to grow both in numbers and in age, and it looks like there will be another boy joining the crew in March, 2009.  Elliana (almost 5) and Kya (3 ½) have both had a wonderful transition to Countryside Montessori Academy. Elliana is often seen bringing home more and more advanced books, and Kya is surprising us all the time with his increased assortment of skills and knowledge. It really is a joy to see them love learning ☺. Dakota (1 ½ ) is loving his dedicated Mommy time and enjoys making us laugh each day; he’s a little ham.

Continuing now to Love Mercy. . . Ang took a wonderfully risky leap of faith this year. . . and I couldn’t be more proud of her transition.  She resigned as a mental health therapist from St. Mary’s College in May, so that she could be home with the kids. Such hard work. . . with very little credit. . . but we both feel much better about our “new” system of things. Ted also took a leap this year with establishing greenLockers as an official non-profit organization. There’s a possibility that it’ll be in 20 schools this year . . . just crazy!! . . . but I guess when God wants to provide for the poor – he finds a way, and we feel humbled to be a part of God’s mercy to others.
-     Mercy sure is interesting isn’t it?. . . never is it fair, but God keeps giving it to us. . . and in turn we can share it with others. I have ventured into the blogosphere this past year (www.tedbryant.org) – and it has proven to be an incredible daily tool to show others God’s mercy – feel free to check it out sometime – there is much more about India, greenLockers, my random ranting, Bethel College, and our family on there.

Now to Do Justly. . . . justice has taken a new place in our hearts this year, for starters . . . our next child is named Dane Justice Bryant. In addition, I am venturing to India in a few days with a team from our church (including Angela’s father) to pioneer efforts in discerning how we can partner with International Justice Mission (http://www.ijm.org) to facilitate the end of child slavery and prostitution in the state of Tamil Nadu. God always seems to be up to something . . . hopefully we will be still enough to hear God’s will for our lives.  We look forward to the adventure of 2009. May you feel God’s abundant love all around you this Christmas season!