Dear friends and partners,

Merry, Merry Christmas to you!  As I write you this beautiful morning, I have a fire in the fireplace, coffee in hand, and you on my heart! I pray that 2018 has been a year of answered prayer in your life and that this Christmas season is full of hope and wonder!

One December, not too many years ago, our family was in the midst of a very busy and very exciting season. My oldest son, Tanner, was a senior in high school and his football team was making an epic run through the playoffs. They had an incredible team and saw many victories right through to the State Championship game on December 19^th. We had not had time to buy one Christmas gift or put up a single decoration, we were having a blast. Our entire family was enjoying this journey and it was so fun right up until that last game. We lost. Badly. After the game was over, we were disappointed, tired, and hungry. So were the thousand other fans! We had several cars in our caravan. When leaving the restaurant, we realized that one of my nieces who was about 5 at the time was not with us. We searched frantically for several minutes. She was not there. She was lost.

It all turned out okay, she had gotten in another car and we didn’t realize it, but for a few moments, time stood still. We were frantic. We were scared. We didn’t know where to look. Someone was lost, and that someone was one of ours.

The wonderful families we have the privilege of serving know that sinking feeling. Often times the season of life they are in is a good season full of life and adventure. And then there is that moment of discovering that their teenage son is sexually active. Life happening all around them when the truth about an abortion 15 years ago stumbles out of a broken young woman. Or a 13-year-old young lady has texted nude photos of herself or an 8-year-old has been exposed to pornography. Or a college student is questioning their faith. Or a 15-year-old, just a babe herself, will be a momma in a few short months. Or… fill in the blank.

They are frantic. They are scared. They don’t know where to look. Someone is lost and that someone is one of their own.

That is why our ministry exists; to deliver calm to the frantic and peace to the scared. And when they do not know where to look, we do, and we remind them.

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

Thank you for another year of your faithful prayers and support. We simply could not do what the Lord us called us to do without you. Because of you, we continue to speak life, hope and love to a lost generation. What would they do with you?

You will never know my love and admiration for you and all that you mean to those we serve.  Thank you again and may you have the merriest of Christmases!

All my love,

 

 

 

 

*Please consider sending a special tax-deductible yearend gift.  There is so much more to do and we can’t do it without you. We appreciate your support so much.

Buy Candy’s book Rescue here! 

You can swim confidently into the murky waters of parenting teens! Rescue offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical applications. Working with a group of young “Lifeguards” throughout the book, Candy Gibbs gives struggling parents the life preservers they need to rescue teens from a drowning culture. With Biblical insights and Candy’s own creative techniques, Rescue is the “Noah’s Ark” of parenting books, ensuring that today’s teens will carry on a legacy of godliness to generations to come. Find out more!