Books I Read in 2020, Vol. II

 

UNCOMMON TYPE: Some Stories
Tom Hanks

From the publisher: “ A collection of 17 wonderful short stories showing that two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor. These stories are surprising, intelligent, heart-warming, and, for the millions and millions of Tom Hanks fans, an absolute must-have.”

From me: This was a pleasant read indeed, though it contained more foul language than I’ve ever heard Hanks utter on the screen. Most of the stories are more slice-of-life than actual beginning-middle-end narratives, but they are a fine display of the actor’s powers of observation.

Page 56/Sentence 5: After ten days of reshoots in Budapest, they had only the surfing scenes yet to do.

IF THE CHURCH WERE CHRISTIAN: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus
Philip Gulley

“Gulley’s vision of Christianity is grounded, gripping, and filled with uncommon sense. He is building bridges instead of boundaries, and such wisdom is surely needed now.”

I found the chapter titles and the values they revealed (“Jesus Would Be a Model for Living Rather Than an Object of Worship”, “Reconciliation Would Be Valued Over Judgment”) to be intriguing, so I electronically borrowed this from the library and became instantly confused when I read the introduction and first chapter. Gulley makes it clear that he doesn’t believe in the historical accuracy of the gospel accounts in the Bible - that Jesus probably didn’t say the things the writers said he said - and that he doesn’t even regard Jesus as deity. So why would he even care about following Jesus’ values...and how can he even determine what those values are...and how can the Quakers accept him as a pastor? The more I read, the more I wondered why the author even considers himself a Christian.

56/5: What is it about religion that makes otherwise kind people forsake the obvious good to uphold doctrines that have long lost their meaning?

ANOTHER MAN’S MOCCASINS: A Walt Longmire Mystery
Craig Johnson

“ The 4th Longmire novel delivers more of the taut prose, engrossing characters, beautiful Wyoming setting, and satisfying depth that reviewers have been hailing since The Cold Dish.”

I have no idea whether I would keep reading these novels if not for having thoroughly enjoyed the TV series. Don’t get me wrong, I like the books...I really do...but I just can’t tell whether I like them for themselves or because they take my mind back to the TV characters, even when the book characters do things that I’m pretty sure the TV characters would never do. Ah well. Ours is not to reason why. Ours is but to read and report.

56/5: I stopped saying anything.

DELIGHTING IN THE TRINITY: An Introduction to the Christian Faith
Michael Reeves

“ This brief and winsome book presents an introduction to the Christian faith that is rooted in the triune God. Reeves takes cues from preachers and teachers down through the ages, setting key doctrines of creation, the person and work of Christ, and life in the Spirit into a simple framework of the Christian life.”

I read this to be able to participate in a book discussion group hosted by Pastor Brad Dewing at my church (Valley Christian Church). All I had to do was read the “Introduction,” and I knew this was a really good decision. Can’t count how many times I said “I’ve never thought about it like that before!” while reading this book.

56/5: For when Jesus sends us, he is allowing us to share the missional, generous, outgoing shape of God’s own life.

DAVE BARRY’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO GUYS: A Fairly Short Story
Dave Barry

“For thousands of years, women have asked themselves: What is the deal with guys, anyway? What are they thinking? The answer, of course, is: virtually nothing. Deep down inside, guys are extremely shallow. But that has not stopped Dave Barry from writing an entire book about them.”

I really needed this book to be able to relax while reading Reconstructing the Gospel (below). Dave Barry writes the way I try to, often making me chuckle and sometimes even eliciting an actual guffaw.

56/5: Let’s say a guy named Roger is attracted to a woman named Elaine.

RECONSTRUCTING THE GOSPEL: Finding Freedom from Slaveholder Religion
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

“Reconstructing the Gospel is an attempt to work through the problem of sin and culture infecting the presentation and living out of the gospel. A gospel that justifies slavery, racism and oppression of the poor and marginalized is not the same gospel that Jesus was presenting.”

I got the ebook version of this for free from InterVarsity Press in an attempt to educate myself on the issue of racism as part of my response to the killing of George Floyd. I picked it because of the title, thinking, “I don’t think the gospel SHOULD be reconstructed. what the sam hill is this guy talking about. Truth be told, I’m still not real sure what he’s talking about. (Sorry.)

56/5: No, I can’t dip into the DPAC and get my Christmas-spirit fix in ninety minutes any more.

WOMEN IN MINISTRY: Four Views
Edited by Bonnidell Clouse and Robert G. Clouse

“Should women teach men? Should they exercise authority over men? What about ordaining women? Even those who agree that Scripture must determine our answers do not agree on what it teaches. And too often, differing sides have not been willing to listen to one another. Here in one volume are the views of four deeply-committed evangelicals that focus the discussion on the issues.”

I chose this book to educate myself on the different schools of thought about women in positions of church leadership because of its format of a main paper by a proponent of a particular view, followed by shorter critiques by three people who adhere to three different views...with each of the four people getting their turn to present their views and pick at the others’. The main take-away? It takes a lot of nit-picking in the original language to come up with a firm conviction on the topic...and each of the four thinks they’re right and the others are wrong. SO...there doesn’t seem to be much room for dogmatism.

56/5: If the Scriptures have been completely and correctly understood from the beginning and that understanding has been transmitted, it would seem that there would be little or no need for further biblical or theological study.

THE PRINCESS DIARIST
Carrie Fisher

“When Carrie Fisher discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved—plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naiveté, and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Before her passing, her fame as an author, actress, and pop-culture icon was indisputable, but in 1977, Carrie Fisher was just a teenager with an all-consuming crush on her costar, Harrison Ford.”

Fisher’s reputation for brutal honesty and sailor-friendly language is well-earned, but this was a welcome respite from all the weighty reading I had been doing this third of the year. I have to admit, though, that some of her observations about her affair with Ford were far deeper and wiser than you’d expect from a 19-year-old:

With him, love was easier done than said
Instead of taking you to heart, he would take you to bed
And you take what he has to offer lying down
You’re getting more involved while he’s still getting around

It’s all a matter of touch and go
‘Cause he’s one for all and all for show
But after all was said and almost done
I was playing for keeps and he was playing for fun

56/5: The fact that Harrison and I had rolled around in the backseat during our return to London didn’t necessarily mean that it was a prologue for a more elaborate event.

I AM C-3PO: The Inside Story
Anthony Daniels

“Daniels tells a riveting, humorous, and often moving tale of life on (and off) the sets of all nine Star Wars movies, giving fascinating new insights into that galaxy far, far away.”

Perhaps obviously, I kind of unavoidably drifted to this memoir while finishing up The Princess Diarist, and I couldn’t be happier. Daniels’ eye for detail befits a droid and his storytelling made me feel like we were sitting around an Ewok’s fire recalling all the joys, surprises, and pains of having spent a lifetime inside a gold-colored suit.

56/5: He’s shot with Roman Polanski and Stanley Kubrick.

Books I Read in 2020, Vol. I

 

BOSSYPANTS
Tina Fey

From the publisher: “Everything you would hope for from this book - it’s impossible to put down, you will laugh until you cry, you will wish it were longer, you can’t wait to hand it to every friend you have - is true.” (Los Angeles Times)

From me: I had this on my list at the library, then saw it at the little free library in front of Culver’s and said, “Bingo!” While there are a few instances of PG-13 and R-rated language, it is thoroughly hilarious. I embarrassed myself in the lunchroom a few times by guffawing loudly in the midst of my El Parian leftovers.

Page 56/Sentence 5: I met HRW the next evening at his off-campus apartment.

PRAYER: Does It Make Any Difference?
Philip Yancey

“In his most powerful book since What’s So Amazing About Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey probes the very heartbeat - the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect - of our relationship with God.”

I don’t know that I would use the word “powerful” to describe this. I found it, though challenging in a few places, to be mostly encouraging and reassuring. It is good to hear a profound thinker have the same kind of questions and doubts and disappointments and desires about prayer as me. The most significant walkaway for me was switching from prayer as a never-ending shopping list to being a restful time of relationship with my father in heaven, who loves me indescribably.

56/5: He later wrote about them in his book Knowing the Face of God, and I will simply quote him: Silently gazing into a friend’s eyes may seem purer, and certainly more romantic, than mere talk.

THE WISDOM OF GOD: Seeing Jesus in the Psalms & Wisdom Books
Nancy Guthrie

“This 10-week study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon mines the Wisdom Literature not only for wise principles for living, but also for the wise person these books point to through their drama, poetry, proverb, and song - Jesus”

This was the resource for our adult Bible study class on Sunday mornings this winter. Guthrie did an excellent job of not only helping us understand the Old Testament books in their context, but also seeing how Jesus was right when he said that all of the books of the OT spoke of him.

56/5: In this challenge between God and Job, what would define a “win” for Satan?

KINDNESS GOES UNPUNISHED: A Walt Longmire Mystery
Craig Johnson

“For 24 years, Walt Longmire has been the sheriff in Wyoming’s Absaroka County, where his wit and charm have helped him solve many crimes. Even that can’t prepare him for the savage attack on his daughter, Cady, a Philadelphia lawyer who has unwittingly become embroiled in a political cover-up.”

This is the third book in the Longmire series, which I started reading because of the Longmire TV series. Unlike the first two, this one would be R-rated, mostly for language, if it were faithfully rendered on-screen. Still, the plot never gets bogged down and we get more of the great relationship between Walt and his friend, Standing Bear.

56/5: She saluted ever so slightly with her glass and downed the wine in one smooth swig like a longshoreman.

ILLUSTRATED LIFE OF JESUS: Pocket Reference Edition
Herschel H. Hobbs

“See the places Jesus walked, preached, and ministered. Weaving the Gospel writers’ varied perspectives into one seamless narrative, best-selling author Herschel Hobbs offers a unique angle on Jesus’ life, teachings, sacrificial death, and resurrection.”

While there aren’t as many illustrations as I was expecting in a book with this title, and it’s basically a recounting of what I’ve already read in the four Gospels, Hobbs does manage to explain some things about life as Jesus experienced it that helps breathe a new energy into some of the parables and events. His explanation of how one part of the Sermon on the Mount leads to the next and so on was a revelation for me.

56/5: John the Baptist’s ministry was on the decline.

Books I Read in 2019, Vol. III

 

SCHULZ AND PEANUTS: A Biography
David Michaelis

From the publisher: “Charles Schulz’s cartoons have a profound depth and resonance that touched the soul of modern America. The author now explains why. The brilliance of the Peanuts gang is rooted in the life and emotions of its creator. With great research and sensitivity, Michaelis takes us on a wondrous journey through the worlds of Charlie Brown and Charles Schulz.”

From me: I was surprised to actually learn some things I didn’t know by reading this thick book. (Definition of “thick”: This tome is the reason I only got through four books in this four-month period.) Some of the personal revelations that found their way into the comic strip were semi-amazing, including Schulz clearly (once you know the behind-the-scenes story) admitting to switching his affections from his first wife to others along the way to his second wife. Mind blown.

Page 56/Sentence 5: Years later, he would remember his teacher’s astonishment as she stood behind him, marveling that “Charles,” alone among his classmates, had taught himself to evoke ice not as a glittering surface but as a solid mass.

WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working
Craig Groeschel

“Journey with author and pastor Craig Groeschel as he shares a Christ-centered philosophy, on everything from money to scheduling to purity, that will help you break out of the normal rut and live according to the rhythms of God’s grace and the truth of his Word.”

I truly enjoyed reading this. Yes, I am weird in my own way, and found myself secretly smug at being able to say “I know” about some of the chapters. But then there were those sections that held a mirror up to my face and made me realize I’m way more normal than I’d like to think. The challenge, as always, is to take those sections to heart and let the Lord keep working on me.

56/5: The white clouds seemed to be painted across the deep-blue sky.

A CHANGE OF HEART: A Harmony Novel
Philip Gulley

“Join Quaker Sam Gardner in his fifth year as pastor of Harmony Friends Meeting, where members must face the fragility of life, realize the resilience of family, and embrace the human ability to forgive.”

This book is more fun than the publisher’s description above might make you think. But in the same breath, there IS plenty of thought-provoking truth to be had here, too: “She isn’t the type to say ‘I told you so’ and rub it in, though she did have a self-satisfied smile that set him on edge.” Okay...that’s more funny than profound, but trust me, Gulley has some things to say about the human condition within his tale.

56/5: Instead, people gathered in the church basement, in the bosom of family and friends, eating chicken and noodles, profoundly grateful for having dodged death’s bullet.

ADORNING THE DARK: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making
Andrew Peterson

“Andrew Peterson believes that God calls us to proclaim the gospel and the coming kingdom using whatever gifts are at our disposal. This book is both a memoir of [his] journey and a handbook for anyone interested in imitating the way the Creator interacts with his creation, written in the hope that his story will provide encouragement to others stumbling along in pursuit of a calling to adorn the dark with the light of Christ.”

Having gained a sizable appreciation for Peterson from reading The Wingfeather Saga, I eagerly dove into this memoir-ish meditation. It’s full of useful insights like “If you don’t know what a lock-in is, then be grateful. It’s an all-nighter for a church youth group and is one of the things that is wrong with the world,” (HAHA!) but also liberally populated with self-effacement and drop-jaw beauty. THIS IS NOT JUST FOR CREATIVE TYPES. Or rather, Andrew would tell you that we are ALL creative...you know...like our Father.

56/5: I framed the drawing and hung it on the wall by the front door, in a place where I’d see it every time I left the house.

Roth Family Christmas Epistle 2019

What a loverly year...

For the past 6 years, Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Dewey have spent the overwhelming majority of Thursday nights in Saint Paul pouring out our love on Anawynn Haug while Papa and Mama enjoy an evening out...most of the time together and most of the time at the dance class Papa teaches. We are so appreciative of this time and for the love of this sharp-as-a-tack little girl.

A tremendous bit-o-news for us this year was when Curtis and Abbey let us know that Grandchild Number Five was on the way. Ivy June Roth is due to see the light of day in March 2020. It was a deep, deep joy to spend a few days with them between Christmas and New Year.

Grandson Maverick has left California and is temporarily in Southern Ohio while daddy Johnathan transitions from active duty in the Air Force to the reserves and a civilian job. We were able to enjoy two days together in Alexandria, Ohio with them because of Denise and Kevin Hull hosting Thanksgiving at their church building again. Probable big news in the works for Shonda and family...that has to wait until next year.

Can’t believe that Jesse Stanley turned EIGHT this year and that “little” brother, Thomas will soon be six. Congratulations to Jesse for braving the top bunk on a couple overnighters with Grandma and Grandpa!

Our second-greatest blessing in life is being grandparents to this growing group of love bugs...made possible only because of the first-greatest blessing of being parents to their parents. 

And the actual greatest blessing of all, that so surpasses everything else that it doesn’t get numbered with these joys, is being loved by Jesus. 

Our prayer as the new year begins is that all of us in this family, and all of you in yours, “may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19)

Books I Read in 2019, Vol. II

 

THE MONSTER IN THE HOLLOWS: The Wingfeather Saga Book Three
Andrew Peterson 

From the publisher: “Join the Wingfeathers on a new adventure filled with mystery, betrayal, and sneakery in a land of tasty fruits. There’s a monster in the Hollows and the truth lurks in the shadows.”

From me: It’s a little misleading for the publisher to say “on a new adventure” because this really is a continuation of the epic tale woven in the first two books in the series that the author promises to end in the next one. This quarter of the saga goes much deeper than the first two. There’s a real sense that a person could learn more about life on Earth by understanding life in Aerwiar.

Page 56/Sentence 5: We ran.

GEORGE LUCAS: A Life 
Brian Jay Jones

“The author of the bestselling biography Jim Henson delivers a long-awaited, revelatory look into the life and times of the man who created Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Indiana Jones.”

Having deeply appreciated Jones’ bio of Jim Henson, I was thrilled to find this book. And for the most part, I was not disappointed. It’s certainly well-researched and informational and I love that the author was never buffaloed by Lucas’ nonsense about having had nine-movies’ worth of story from the very beginning. One curious sentence still has me guessing, though. Jones describes Lucas at one point as standing off to the side, hands deeply shoved in his pockets, and scratching his beard. Nice trick!

56/5: “I had all that young enthusiasm, and I was too busy to get into drugs,” he said.

THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD: Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence 
Brother Lawrence

“At the age of 18, Brother Lawrence underwent a life-changing experience...[that] gave him an overwhelming sense of the knowledge and love of God. This slim record of his mind and heart was first published in 1692, a year after his death. In M. Beaufort’s words, ‘these writings will prove very useful to souls who are pressing forward to perfection by the practice of the presence of God’.”

I found this while browsing through the library. I had heard about the book and Brother Lawrence many, many times, but had never read this, so I figured it was about time. Having been written in the 17th century, it is certainly a different kind of reading experience, and it requires concentration, but in the end, the effort is worth it. The book encouraged me to not only devote more effort to spending time with my Lord, but also to not make a big deal about it when I don’t.

56/5: I consider myself as the most wretched of men, full of sores and corruption, and who has committed all sorts of crimes against his King; touched with a sensible regret I confess to Him all my wickedness, I ask His forgiveness, I abandon myself in His hands, that He may do what he pleases with me.

THE WARDEN AND THE WOLF KING: The Wingfeather Saga Book Four 
Andrew Peterson 

“Sea dragons lurk in the waters. Wicked Stranders crawl through the burrows. Ridgerunners and trolls prowl the land. Cloven haunt the forest. Monsters and Fangs and villains lie between the children and their only hope of victory  -  in the epic conclusion of The Wingfeather Saga.”

It’s hard for me to write anything here: 1) Fear of giving away any of the many surprising turns in the book; 2) My words can only fall far short of describing the mixture of emotions I experienced as Peterson brought this tale to an absolutely perfect conclusion...while still pointing forward in the spirit of hope for what happens next in the lives of the characters.

56/5: He knew that the other Fangs could hear as well as he - the Bat Fangs even better, perhaps.

PRAY BIG: Learn to Pray Like an Apostle 
Alistair Begg 

“Do you struggle with prayer? In this short book, Alistair Begg combines warmth, clarity, humor, and practicality as he examines Paul’s prayers for the Ephesian church to show ordinary Christians how to pray like an apostle  - why to pray and what to say.”

I’m a fan of Alistair Begg’s solid, conservative Bible teaching in the Truth for Life podcast/radio program, so when I found out about this book, I ordered it immediately. And I liked this book so much, I immediately started quoting it in my inspirational blog, Truth Is.... Look for those posts to show up starting in October.

56/5: It will be there exactly as God has planned, ready to be entered into on the day when God, who is shielding you on your journey, gets you to that destination.

ALMOST THE TRUTH: The Blog Archive 2016-2018 
Dewey Roth 

“The continuing saga of a twisted mind. Here's 3-years' worth of blog posts from AlmostTheTruth.blogspot.com.”

I’m not really so self-absorbed that I gain pleasure from reading my own book. But I DID need to read it through to make sure the print-on-demand process is working properly. That, and gosh, I’m funny.

56/5: The show itself was stuffed full of the weird and goofy things that make Minnesota and its overwhelmingly Scandihoovian residents...how shall we say it...unique.

SCARY CLOSE: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy 
Donald Miller

“Donald Miller built a career emphasizing the funny and smart bits of his personality. But when ‘playing a role’ turned into an identity crisis, it was impossible to find true intimacy. Don met a few guides who taught him the only way to connect with others was to be completely honest about who he really was. But in an age when we are our own publicity agents, would he be willing to impress fewer people in order to connect with more?”

I’m pretty sure I can’t recommend this more than it deserves. Are you an introvert who puts on a public persona when wanting to be accepted by others? Read this book. Are you an extrovert who thrives on the approval of all those people you gain energy from by interacting with? Read this book.

56/5: I’m talking about the fact I’d rather be alone or with a close friend than have to make small talk at a party.

Books I Read in 2019, Vol. I

 

IN SUCH GOOD COMPANY: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox
Carol Burnett 

From the publisher: “Carol pulls back the curtain on the twenty-five-time Emmy Award-winning show (The Carol Burnett Show) that made entertainment history, and she reminisces about the outrageously funny and tender moments that made working on the series as much fun as watching it.”

From me: This is my kind of book; short chapters, backstage/insider info...like a DVD special features treasure trove, but written down. My only “complaint” would be when Ms Burnett recaps some of the longer sketches and movie parodies they did on the show. These tend to get a little tedious and don’t really provide any new information. But other than that, it was really nice to read about the tomfoolery (or rather, TIMfoolery...as in Tim Conway) and tenderness that made her show so special.

Page 56/Sentence 5: He said he was a fan of our show, but he kept asking, “Why can’t there be funnier endings to the skits?”.

PAUL SIMON: The Life
Robert Hilburn

“A tantalizing look into the mind and writing process of the man who is arguably the finest craftsman of the American popular song since the Gershwin brothers, this book will delight any Paul Simon fan or student of popular culture. (Linda Ronstadt)”

I didn’t really mean to read a memoir and a biography back to back, but this book almost literally jumped off the library shelf at me. I’m so glad I checked it out...and checked it out. While it certainly focuses on Simon, it also serves as an in-depth study of the tumultuous relationship that was/is Simon & Garfunkel.

56/5: Tom might have liked “He Was My Brother” for the Pilgrims, but he would never have signed us because of that.

THE RAGE AGAINST GOD: How Atheism Led Me to Faith
Peter Hitchens

“Peter Hitchens, brother of prominent atheist Christopher Hitchens, chronicles his personal journey through disbelief into a committed Christian faith.... With first-hand insight into the blurring of the line between politics and the Church, Hitchens reveals the reasons why an honest assessment of Atheism cannot sustain disbelief in God.”

If the author did all the revealing and chronicling as promised in the dust jacket blurb, I must have been sleeping while I read it. There’s a few chapters of personal history and a whole lot of political analysis involving Lenin and Stalin and many names I’d never heard of before. It seems that he returned to faith because of a feeling he got while sitting in an old church building. I totally missed any kind of reasoned, step-by-step, “this is why I am a believer.”

56/5: I still clearly recall the sultry afternoon in August 1960 when HMS Vanguard, our last battleship, was towed to the breakers, where she was to be turned into washing machines and razor blades.

NORTH! OR BE EATEN: The Wingfeather Saga Book Two
Andrew Peterson

“Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they’re really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them.”

Having enjoyed Book One (read my comments on that by clicking HERE), I was happy to be loaned the second volume and am hoping Book Three isn’t far behind. This is full of daring escapes, secret identities, and familial love.

56/5: He skidded to a stop at the edge of the rushing water.

THE CASE FOR JESUS: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ
Brant Pitre

“This book will show that recent discoveries in New Testament scholarship as well as neglected evidence from ancient manuscripts and the early church fathers together have the potential to pull the rug out from under a century of skepticism toward the traditional Gospels. Above all, Pitre shows how the divine claims of Jesus of Nazareth can only be understood by putting them in their ancient Jewish context.”

I know the publisher’s description (above) sounds kind of academic and dry, but this is really a better reading experience than it sounds like. Most of the eggheady intelligentsia stuff is relegated to footnotes. Pitre does a great job at keeping it interesting and keeping it true to the facts. He admits when something is only a best guess, but also doesn’t put up with sloppy logic by the naysayers.

56/5: In order to answer them, we will have to look carefully at the relevant internal and external evidence on the lost gospels.

Roth Family Christmas Epistle 2018

 

Anawynn’s Mama and Papa, Kelly Jo and Dustin Haug, celebrated her 5th birthday and marveled at her transition from preschool to kindergarten. Kelly Jo stopped nannying and started working at Dustin’s school as a proctor for students making up tests or who need a calmer environment, etc., however, she continues to be available as a doula, helping couples through the birth process (www.uffdadoula.com). Dustin will start 2019 in a new position at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists: cutting back teaching to half-time and becoming a co-administrator/principal.

Curtis and Abbey Roth celebrated their 3rd anniversary May 2nd, then made the move to New York City May 15th. They feel absolutely at home with their church family and absolutely assured that this move was in the center of God’s plans for their lives. They were able to fly back home to Minnesota for seven days to be able to spend Christmas with both the Roth and Lindstrom families. Hooray!

Maverick’s Mommy and Daddy, Shonda and Johnathan Hall celebrated his second birthday and are pretty happy living life in the Air Force and in a well-equipped RV.

Jesse and Thomas’ Mommy and Daddy, Angel and Phillip Stanley, can hardly believe that Jesse is now in 1st grade and Thomas is in preschool. The whole Stanley clan had to say goodbye to Emma, one of their two cats, but it was a good teachable moment. Jesse celebrated Christmas Eve by noticing his first loose tooth.

While Dewey is ending this year in Job Transition Mode (having been laid off from his technical writing position since the end of June), he is still glowing from his first-ever gig as Santa. It was three hours filled with joy and laughter, and he’s already penciled-in for two dates in 2019. Debbie racked up a lot of accomplishments this year. Her book, DRENCHED: Only Hope in the Storm, was finished, published, launched with a couple fun events, and is now available through Amazon, BarnesAndNoble.com, Redemption Press, and by contacting her directly. She passed another decade milestone birthday in September, and December 4th became 20 years cancer-free!

Life is a series of challenges and blessings. Friends and family are the hugs that help us get through the challenges and celebrate the blessings. And through it all, God is amazing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!