12 Gifts from God in 2024
2. Three Deaf World Disciple Training Schools (DTS): 1st ever in South Africa, 2nd for Brazil and Jamaica just finishing their lecture phrase! Thankful for Carole being able to teach in each country's DTS and Dan being able to spend 2 weeks with Jamaica this year.
3. Jamaica DTS having three outreach teams going out and sharing Jesus. We are so excited as this is the first time ever for a YWAM Deaf DTS to have more than one outreach team! Since they have the large number of staff and students, this DTS could do it. They will be sharing Jesus in The Gambia (West Africa), Mexico and Jamaica! Click here to see a fun video revealing outreach teams and locations!
4. First Deaf World Gathering in Philippines during the YWAM together conference. We are grateful for each of our amazing partners all around the world. It brought us joy as we went deeper and further with each of them in 2024 via regular Zoom connections.
5. Creating, filming and releasing our first ever YWAM Deaf World Sign Language Video Newsletter. To watch our video update and sign up for future ones, go to www.ywamdeafworld.org and scroll down to the bottom.
6. Our family transitioning from the YWAM Montego Bay base in Jamaica to creating a home base in Mercer, PA. Each of us went through the journey of surrender as we uprooted our family tree, trusting our gracious God to plant us into a different set of soil for us to grow. Valor experienced the beautiful colors of Fall as well as the raking of leaves and jumping into huge piles of them for the first time. Then there was the snow! We have had three or four small snows, and the kids have been outside each time experiencing building a snowman, sledding, making snow angels and having a family snowball fight! We are grateful for new experiences.
7. Settling into homeschooling as a family. The opportunity to be with and invest into our kiddos all day everyday has been amazing. The children are thriving as learners as they have Daddy, myself and Grandma McClelland educating them daily. The amazing community of homeschool families, old friends and new that we have made this year in the area has helped us develop a rich, educational environment for Olive and Valor.
8. Surrounded by the amazing body of believers, churches and mission committees in Mercer that believe, support and love our family. We have had such great opportunities to speak and fellowship with many churches and believers in the Mercer area. In addition, we had the privilege of traveling this summer and fall to see friends and family in many other states. We are so loved, and we feel it!
9. Spending Thanksgiving with the Ruiz Family in Chicago. My dad being able to spend the holiday with us for the week in his own home, rather than in the hospital, was a huge blessing. Seeing two out of three siblings and their families during this time added to our joy. The kids experienced an amazing home- cooked meal by Nicole, their aunt, and participated in so many fun activities such as Climbing Zone, Ball Factory and a hotel swimming pool party! Although my dad is back in the hospital, fighting an infection, he is being taken care of by doctors and his joyful self. I, Carole, am so thankful for my mom, brother and sister and aunts and uncles who are loving and supporting my dad in Chicago and being able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with them.
10. Christmas with the Grandma and Grandpa McClelland. The memories created as we celebrated this Christmas season has been unforgettable! The highlights included: hanging decorations and putting up our "fake", but 3D, Christmas tree for the first time in 5 years, baking cookies and delivering them to neighbors and friends, making Christmas crafts, playing Christmas trivia games, singing Christmas songs and making homemade Christmas presents for each other. Grandpa and Grandma also treated us to a Holiday Pops concert at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra!
11. The Generosity and Faithfulness of God. He loved us so much, and desired the relationship with us restored, that He sent his one and only Son to earth to show us the way back to Himself. He was willing to experience separation with Jesus for a time in order to offer us the Hope through Christ for relationship with Him. He is faithful through every season and has been faithful this year to our family.
12. The Humility and Surrender of Jesus. Jesus lived in heaven, in perfect unity with God the Father and Holy Spirit, but surrendered all of heaven to save us from our sins as He humbled himself to come as a baby born in a manger. The willingness of Mary and Joseph to receive the call with servant hearts to become parents of God's son, Jesus, also inspires and challenges us to a life of obedience and humility. Thank you, Jesus, for your humble birth and being the reason to celebrate this Christmas season.
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