Christmas 2016

And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2 tells us about Anna. Finding out about the Christ-child made her give thanks and tell others. May the news of Christ fill you with such great joy that you give thanks for all that the Lord has given us and that joy spills out in your words to tell others of His great gift.

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Becky is helping with kindergarten at Trinity this year and still taking sports photos on weekends. I spent the year building 23,000 square feet at St. Luke's (Equipping the Saints). After finishing in October, Becky and I got away to visit Phil in Fort Lauderdale and a week in the Keys! One mishap was a broken toe in the New Smyrna surf earlier in the year but I was able to fit some golf in this year. Dad, Uncle Ozzie and I made it to a Cardinal's pre-season game. We enjoy plenty of other activity with Mom & Dad as well and were able to see everyone in the family this year!

We are blessed. The Lord gave us a full year in 2016. We hosted two Korean students in January. Becky fitted eyeglasses in Honduras at the Children of Love Foundation. Niece Ruth graduated. Niece Hannah and Bryan were married in Kentucky. Niece Ashton and Max were married in Iowa. We had a great visit to Lake Okoboji camping with Mom and Dad Arp. Then a little white water rafting in North Carolina. Hurricane Matthew stopped in to visit too!

Anthony is a sophomore at University of Florida majoring in Computer Science. He works audio visual at the student union and just purchased a motorcycle.

Natalie is enjoying calculating retirement benefits at Aon. She also helps with Youth & College ministry and is dating AJ Leupold.

After Mallory finished her Master's Degree, Jake and Mallory moved to Austin, TX where Jake teaches math and Mallory develops ad campaigns for the state of Texas. They seem to love Austin!