Dear Family and Friends,   Wow another year has come and gone – time flies when you are having. J  It has been a year of extremes – we have had to say many good-byes – Rick’s father passed away April.  It was hard to say good-bye but good knowing he is resting in the arms of Jesus. Shortly thereafter we moved across country and had tearful good-byes with many very dear friends that we love, and have meant so much to us over the years. As we started our new life in Oregon we had opportunity to say hello to old friends (from my life 23 years ago in Portland), new friends, and the newest addition to our family.  Charlotte Kitri Fraley was born on April 20, 2006 and has been a joy to us all.  She has quite the personality and is definitely a first born - independent and wants to experience everything.  She now has three teeth, sits, crawls, stands up, walks around furniture, waves at you and says the basics – mama (when she is hungry or upset), dada (when she is having fun) and baba. Pure genius. J   Pam and Kevin took a position over the summer, as interim Youth Pastor for Kevin’s home church in Alaska.  At the end of the summer they were hired on full time.  It was very sad to see them move.  We miss them terribly.  We are working very hard to stay in communication with that new Grandbaby of ours as well.  I want her to know her Grandma and Grandpa’s voices.  We regularly talk to her on the phone (as she tries to eat it) but she does know our voices.  I have been given the opportunity to go for a 5 day visit in January.  I am so excited.  In late October, Pam and Kevin called and let us know that our second grandbaby is due to make his or her appearance in the middle of June.  We are very excited.

December 21, 2006   Jeff and Elaine are doing well.  They bought their first house in January and have spent considerable time transforming it into a lovely home.  Jeff graduated from Portland State University in June with a degree in Organismal Biology.  He spent the summer working for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at the coast and had a great time.  Elaine is diligently working on becoming a certified lab technician.  As always, she is doing amazing in school.  They are very busy with a young marrieds group at church and are on the rotation to work with the toddlers at church.  They keep very busy but still find time for us. We are so blessed to be living close.  It’s a dream come true for me.   Rick and I are settling in to our life here in Oregon.  Jobs are going well – what a praise!!!  We are enjoying our church and small group, both have been a real blessing.   The other night we were reading the book by Anne Graham called “Just Give Me Jesus” - Rick and I believe that this book is anointed by God.  It has been one of the most powerful books we have ever read.  The book takes you through the life of Christ, the new insights and revelations have been mind boggling.  We were reading about the first trials of Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas, the High Priests who ultimately sentenced Him to death.  She was talking about the responsibility of the High Priest to offer sacrifices for the atonement for the sins of the nation of Israel and how they had drifted far from the role and office as outlined in Exodus.  While reading this it dawned on us that it was the High Priests that offered Jesus as a sacrifice.  How cool is that?  The ultimate and final sacrifice for the atonement of our sins came from the High Priest according to Jewish law.  I am so amazed by the detail of God’s plan. Little did Annas and Caiaphas know that by crucifying Jesus they were offering the final sacrifice not only for the Nation of Israel but for the whole world! So powerful!! I just wanted to give you some thoughts to ponder this Christmas season.    We love you all and wish you a blessed Christmas and New Year.