Christmas 2001

From Don:

"For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). May a fresh awareness of the significance of these words bring you great joy during this season.

In addition to these Christmas greetings, here are two family photos taken in our home on December 18 instead of a regular SpiritualDisciplines.org newsletter. That's Winston Churchill peeking over my shoulder in one of the pictures.

Early in January I plan to send out the usual newsletter, including "A Third Ten Ways to Improve Your Church's Worship Service." I expect this to conclude the "Ten Ways" series of articles on worship and have hopes of the collection of them being published later in the year.

For my friends in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I'm to be interviewed about Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health on KCBI radio New Year's Day at 8:40 a.m. I have asked if they could guarantee that at least one person would be listening at that time on that day, but I've heard no reply!

From Caffy:

Dear Friends,

The Whitneys are praising God as we are reminded of the Lord's goodness to us. This has been a year of joy of growing together as a family.

Laurelen is turning eight December 26th and is becoming a beautiful young girl. She is so full of life. She seems to excel in reading as continues 3rd grade homeschool studies with Caffy. She has an extensive library. It's amazing how books multiply like rabbits around here. Her Dad has become very adventurous in hunting for children's books in used bookstores all over the country. She is taking ballet and loves every minute of practicing plies.

I fill my days with homeschooling and holding the fort down while Don teaches and travels often during the year. I have been painting murals in homes as well as in model homes and businesses. I also taught Spiritual Disciplines at the seminary one evening a week in the fall for the Student Wives Diploma Program.

I lost my dad this past July after he suffered a long illness. This Christmas will be very different without his smile and laughter.

Don has on-going opportunities to preach and teach around the country from coast to coast. After teaching at Midwestern for 6 years, he will be on a half-sabbatical starting in January. He will be writing a new book for NavPress on Simplify Your Spiritual Life.

Don has a yearning for living in the country and owning a tractor someday. The maintenance crew at the seminary has promised to let him drive their tractor in the meantime.

Don and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary January 8th. Time passes so quickly. Laurelen keeps us young and hopping.

Blessings to you all,
The Whitneys