Greetings from our family to yours!
2023 has been a year of time together with loved ones, travel, and most of all our growing in our understanding that Jesus is everything. He is the only thing that matters. If we have Him, we don’t need anything else. We know that if everything is stripped away but we have a relationship with Christ, that is enough. Our hope is not that in trusting Jesus we get all these good things in the world, it means that it does not matter if we lose all things in the world, all of which pale in comparison to “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (from the Bible in Philippians 3:8). Nothing compares. Nothing.
Carl— It was such a gift to see family back east this summer and spend time with our kids. I thank the Lord for that and increased ministry in and among the church this year. While the world seems to be in chaos, I rejoice in the greatest gift of all — eternal life which is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. John 17:3
(You can hear sermons here: https://www.gracechurchsr.com/)
Kerstin—I have so enjoyed time with loved ones! Continuing to pray about what art/illustration projects God has for me in the future, I work on commissions (you can see my work at https://kerstinfletcher.com/, on FB, or Instagram) between keeping up with our grown children and serving the women of Grace Church of Santa Rosa. My favorite Bible verses remain 1 Peter 1:8-9: Though you have not seen [Jesus], you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Hanna—Hanna had a great but very busy year juggling 3 jobs. On her off days she enjoys traveling to go snowboarding, to Hawaii, to Disney World, or wakeboarding with her boyfriend Andrew. She also likes outdoor activities, the gym, and all things health-focused. She is learning to trust the Lord with His timing and plan. Her favorite Bible passage is Psalm 32. “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance….Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.”
Paul & Maggie Bartholow—My husband Paul and I had a wonderful year filled with many blessings, with some highlights being the opportunity to take a footsteps of Paul trip, spend some time in New Jersey on the beach with my family, take my mom on a work trip to Nashville, and continuing to serve and grow close to many at our home church in Pleasanton. A Bible passage that has encouraged me this year is Galatians 5:16-25, an admonition to live by the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law….If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
Lily—Lily is continuing her studies as a junior at Chico State University, now studying marketing as well as pursuing a sales certificate and a minor in graphic design. She has been working as a graphic specialist in an environmental design department at the university. Lily also enjoys thrifting, cooking, photography, floral design, car shows, and trying out Chico’s many coffee shops. She likes this Bible verse from Psalm 130:5: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.
Trey—Trey has been busy with school at Santa Rosa Junior College (as a high school senior) and work at Snoopy’s Home Ice. He also enjoys working out, snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding, dirt biking, and hanging out with friends.
May this Christmas season draw you to seek Christ. If you trust in Him, may you grow in your faith knowing for sure and for certain that nothing compares to knowing Him.
Because of Christ, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2024!
The Fletcher Family
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
