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Christmas Update

Family News

Greetings!

It is my joy to announce several wonderful additions to our family this year! Each of the married children had a baby this year! That means Mom and Dad went from 5 grandchildren to 9 in one year! Remembering birthdays is soon to become a full-time job! 🙂

With many joyful additions came many opportunities for my parents to travel. Those locations included Texas helping David and Priscilla with electrical work on their new home. Toronto, Canada, visiting a new grandbaby! (See more details below) Texas for several weeks throughout the year visiting new grandchildren. Chicago to welcome yet another addition, and most recently a trip to Virginia to spend Thanksgiving with Jennifer’s Family!

Dad continues to work with AECOM. It has been such a blessing to have some flexibility allowing him to work at a distance as they travel. In between the various times of travel Mom, Dad, and Matthew have been diligently working at the farm cleaning and organizing. It is looking better and better each time I come home!

Another special milestone this year was the official retirement of Dad as Principal and Mom as Teacher of Gloria Dei Academy. A special celebration was had to honor the 30+ years Mom has home-educated us with Dad acting as Principal.

It has been a unique experience to have several siblings leaving the nest and beginning their own. It is a blessing that the Lord allows us to be together when He does. Time changes things!

Adam & Valerie made the move to Big Sandy, TX early this year. Adam continues to serve in the IT department for IBLP. Valerie is a full-time stay at home Mom. It was fun to spend some time with her this year! Abigail (3) is a joyful little girl with much capacity for learning! She loves to figure things out! A precious addition to the family was born July 3rd! Timothy Isaac, weighed 9lbs. and was 21.5 inches long. He rolled over for the first time recently and has grown to a whopping 20lbs!

Derrick & Jennifer were married in June of last year. What a blessing Jennifer is to our family! Her enthusiasm for the Lord and joy she brings into everyday life are a wonderful gift. In September, Derrick and Jennifer welcomed their first child into the world, a beautiful baby girl! She is such a treasure! She has so many wonderfully cute expressions! Derrick and Jennifer are moving to Virginia the first part of the year. Derrick will be working with Jennifer’s family on their farm. We will miss them greatly, but hope to visit them often!

Rachelle and Joseph have been married for 7 years now. It’s incredible how fast time flies! Serena Grace (5, soon to be 6!) has a sweet tender heart. She lost her first tooth this year! I, the proud Auntie, got to pull it out for her! 🙂 Nehemiah is growing up quickly, he is now 4 years old and is quite the acrobat. It’s fun to watch him grow and mature. He is a joyful little fellow! Their home was blessed with a special bundle arriving April 5. Hannah Evangeline Elizabeth. 8lbs. 4 oz. She is a smiley little girl and a special treasure!

David and Priscilla, now married for almost 5 years, also made the move to Big Sandy, TX. They purchased a home near the campus and have fixed it up quite nicely. Several of us had the chance to help with this project which built some good memories! Paul (3) is a sweet little guy. His athletic capabilities are beyond any other child I know. He already knows how to play volleyball, football, & throw a Frisbee etc. It’s pretty impressive. Davia (2) enjoys playing with her big brother. She loves people. Has a great smile and wonderful big blue eyes! I think she’s pretty cute! 🙂 A new addition, Phillip Andrew, joined the family on October 19th, weighing 9lbs. 7oz. 22 inches long! He is such a special blessing and I can’t wait to spend more time with him! He has changed so much already!

Sarah, I continue to work down in Florida in Prison Ministry. It has been a privilege and a blessing to be a part of the ministry and see lives changed. It has been a tremendous learning experience. I think I learn equally much, if not more than the inmates I am working with! I have also had the opportunity to give violin lessons to a couple of young people in the area. It’s fun to reinvest what I have received. I am so grateful to get to be home for Christmas this year and spend a month with my family over this Christmas season!

Samuel has been working down in Texas with IBLP as an Administrative Assistant & Communications Coordinator. He is a great guy! I so enjoy time I get to spend talking with or working with him. He makes difficult tasks enjoyable. He traveled the US again this year working with a team including David and Priscilla, to encourage families. He coordinated a large inventory of book sales at four regional conferences. He is a jack of all trades. If you need a job done, you just call Sam! He joyfully helps with any task that needs to be done!

Lydia is serving on staff at In the Gap in Oklahoma City. She is doing graphic design for them. She is gifted in this area, and loves working with the children! She is an energy-giver and cares deeply for those that she ministers too! She had the opportunity this year to go on a missions trip to St. Lucia. She fell in love with the people there, and even though she doesn’t enjoy warm climates, had a wonderful time of ministry. 🙂

Rebecca, continues to serve as David’s right-hand lady in the office. Working conference registration for the annual conferences, meal tickets, working with hotels to get discounted rates for families who come to the conferences. This year she also took on the responsibility of Stage Manager. It was a fun challenge for her. She did a good job! She loves organizing people to get a task accomplished.

Matthew graduated from Gloria Dei Academy this year and has been a huge blessing helping Mom and Dad tidy up the farm. Matthew is very skilled and has a servant’s attitude. One of his projects that he did this year was to rebuild an old-style window replacing various pieces of wood. He has been faithful here at home and I look forward to watching what God has in store for him. He continues to practice piano diligently and has a real gift for music.

That’s a little bit from the Waller household this year! We hope that your household is blessed!

Thank you for reading!

Sarah

(for the Waller family)

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Derrick & Jenny – Wedding Live Stream

Derrick & Jenny, Family News

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Wedding Ceremony Begins at 11:00 AM Eastern Time on Saturday, June 27th.

Thank You!

To all who joined us for the live wedding stream on Saturday! It was a great success, and we are thrilled for Derrick and Jenny as they enter this new chapter in their lives together.

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From Our Home to Yours

Family News

Merry Christmas from the Waller Family!!!

Image02 We have so much to be grateful to the Lord for this year. Here are just a few of the updates from each of the members of our family.

Mom and Dad celebrated 40 years of marriage this November! It is a special blessing to have parents that have held true to their word, love, and commitment to each other.

They celebrated by returning to the place they met for the very first time. God brought them over 1,500 miles to meet each other in a small Christian retreat center in Washington State. I’m grateful to my parents for so much! I owe so much to them!

Adam & ValerieAdam and his wife, Valerie, continue to be involved in ministry. Adam’s computer expertise continues to be a blessing to everyone he serves! A beautiful baby girl was born to them September 6th, 2013.

Abigail Renee Waller has been delightful! She loves to climb up and down stairs and is especially intrigued by electronic devices 🙂 . She seems to be pretty quick at finding new settings and features on any cell phone she can get her hands on 🙂 . You can visit their website: www.joyfullservice.com

DerrickDerrick continues to farm on the home front, as well as the many other acres he rents and owns. He has around 50 head of cattle that he raises for beef.

Derrick was the main driver for a 9 week, 12,000 mile road trip that he and three of the other guys in our family took. Their main goal was to encourage other families as they gathered to fellowship around the Word of God. They put on many miles and seemed not only to encourage those they connected with, but were also very encouraged themselves. We live in a hurting world. I think many of us can agree with that. It is especially important during these times that we can be encouraged through God’s Word.

Rachelle & JosephRachelle and her husband, Joseph, continue to raise their two children in Toronto, Canada. It is special every time we get to have a visit with them! The children grow so quickly!

Serena Grace will be four years old in January. She is very full of life with an amazing intellectual capability. She loves to play at the park especially when it includes a splash park! She is also learning to ride her bicycle and does very well.

Nehemiah & Serena Grace Nehemiah turned two this fall. He has a smile that is irresistible. His strength and muscle control is incredible. One day, I saw him in action as he was playing at the park. With a shovel of sand in one hand, he began to climb on the jungle-gym-train. First he stepped on the back of a train using no hands, just balancing, as he placed one foot almost waist high and slowly climbed the back of the train. What coordination! He loves to play! Both Nehemiah and Serena Grace run very fast!

David & PriscillaDavid and Priscilla continue to maintain a very full schedule in ministry. They love to open their home and have shown much hospitality as various ones of us travel through the Chicago area. Paul continues to grow and is full of energy! He is now 21 months and immensely enjoys playing with balls! His understanding of sports is incredible. He’ll pick up a volleyball and want you to lift him up so he can toss it over the net. Same with basketball. How does a child who is not even two know that stuff?

On November 12, 2014, he was very excited, along with his parents, to welcome the newest addition of the family, a baby sister, Davia [deh-VEE-uh] Lynn Waller. She is a beautiful baby at just 6 weeks old. Both mommy and baby are doing very well. You can visit their website: www.davidlovespriscilla.com

SarahSarah, the writer of this article, had the privilege this past year and a half of serving in a prison ministry that is taking place in Central Florida. God is doing a tremendous work and it has been exciting to be a part of it.

One inmate was in tears as I shared with her the promise from God’s Word that, as a child of God, He would never leave or forsake her. Many times I take for granted the precious promises of God’s Word that some have never heard or have not taken for themselves.

Though outwardly they cannot experience many of the freedoms I enjoy, many of them are freer on the inside than people I see walking around in the “free-world”. Some of the most Godly, strong Christians I know are behind the walls of that prison!

SamuelSamuel is an energy giver! He is a tremendous uncle to his nieces and nephews! Samuel served on staff at In The Gap for two years!

He was a tremendous aid to the team as they taught character in classrooms and after-school Bible Clubs in the public schools of Oklahoma City.

He is an amazing “go-to-person” for just about anything. He’ll find a way to help! This summer, when our family purchased a 15 passenger van, we discovered it had some pretty serious undercarriage and front end damage. Samuel spent hours replacing necessary parts and making it a vehicle we are able to use!

LydiaLydia is growing in her abilities with graphic arts. She is now serving at a ministry in that capacity. She also spent time at In The Gap and served on their graphics team, helping keep people updated on the work happening in that very important harvest field.

Lydia has a heart for the lost. She loves to talk one-on-one with people and lead that conversation towards the Lord. Just the other day I overheard her talking with a girl. “Do you know who Jesus is?” What an important question! Lydia accompanied Samuel as they helped lead programs for children across the country in three different locations this year.

RebeccaRebecca is a dynamic young lady with lots of talent! She was at home for several months this year, but has recently joined David in the office at the ministry where he is serving.

She is a tremendous asset to the ministry. She is very diligent and organized and seems to be a perfect fit! She continues to grow in her skills of piano playing. It is fun to listen and watch her play.

MatthewMatthew is quickly becoming one of the tallest members of the family. He has been a huge blessing cutting fire wood, washing dishes, singing, and helping out in various other ways around the farm.

He is a very cheerful guy. He is very good at striking up conversations with people he hasn’t met before. He took the 9 week trek along with the others. It was a neat experience to travel around the country and get to meet many new people.

He has especially grown in his singing ability these past few years. As the four brothers traveled along, they were able to practice singing together. Matthew has a beautiful baritone voice and added a very nice touch to the quartet.

Thank you for being a part of our family through your support, love, and prayers! I realize it has been a long time since we have posted anything on the website and wanted to take some time and update you on each member of the family. May God bless you and give you a Joyful Christmas, realizing that He is the GREATEST GIFT ever given! Merry Christmas!

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A New Grandchild!

Family News, Rachelle & Joseph

Joseph and Rachelle are overjoyed to announce, with gratitude to the LORD, the birth of their son, Nehemiah Andrew Veh. Nehemiah was born on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 4:17 in the morning. He weighed a healthy 8 lbs, 2 oz and measured 20.25 inches long. Serena Grace is excited and is adjusting to her role as “big” sister. Rachelle is recovering well. The whole family senses God’s manifold blessings.

Nehemiah means “God is our comfort”. Andrew means “a man of valor” . The Armenian name Veh is very rich in meaning — its synonyms include “sublime, majestic, elevated, superior, grand, noble, generous, and heavenly”.

The names were also chosen to honor the memory of Joseph’s beloved brother, whom the LORD called home earlier this year.

Please pray that God would give Joseph and Rachelle the grace and wisdom to raise little Nehemiah up to be a noble man of valor through whom the LORD accomplishes great things!

 

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Wedding Updates – Adam & Valerie

Adam & Valerie, Family News

Valerie and I are thrilled to see the final details coming together for our wedding on March 3rd, 2012! It is hard to believe that it is less than a week away.  🙂  We have set up a new website for our wedding, and have posted additional wedding details at this location.

Adam & Valerie’s Website: www.joyfullservice.com

 

In addition to specifics with the wedding location and RSVP form, we are also excited to provide a live video stream of the wedding ceremony on March 3rd. (On Adam & Valerie’s website)

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David & Priscilla – Engaged!

David & Priscilla, Family News

David & Priscilla ~ Engaged November 16th, 2011

It is my joy to announce the engagement of my brother David to Priscilla Keller of Jacksonville, Florida. David met Priscilla about four years ago while working at IBLP, and has had the opportunity to get to know Priscilla during her times working at IBLP over the past several years. In September of this year, David sensed the Lord’s direction to begin a courtship relationship with Priscilla and contacted her father.

With the enthusiastic support and full blessing of both sets of parents, David and Priscilla began a courtship which quickly blossomed into an engagement on November 16th. They are making plans for a Florida wedding on February 4th, 2012.

Our entire family is thrilled to see the Lord’s work in bringing David and Priscilla together, and look forward to taking part in their wedding in February. For pictures and more details on the story, visit David and Priscilla’s wedding Web site at http://davidlovespriscilla.com/

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Engagement Pictures

Adam & Valerie, Family News

Adam & Valerie - Engaged on November 5th, 2011

The Lord answered prayer in giving us a beautiful day on Saturday to take some engagement pictures. Rachel Johnson, a friend of ours, did a great job taking these photos at Cantigny Park. We were very thankful for the warmer weather and lingering fall colors to capture this special season in our lives. Enjoy the pictures!

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Adam & Valerie – Engaged!

Adam & Valerie, Family News

Saturday afternoon, November 5th, 2011, marked a very special milestone in a beautiful story that God has been putting together. With the full blessing of both of our parents, and the clear leading of the Lord in our deepening relationship, I asked Valerie Mueller to be my wife.

Our family first met the Muellers when we moved to Illinois nearly twenty years ago. As another large Christian homeschooling family, we had a lot in common and enjoyed getting together from time to time.

Valerie and I were both involved in different areas of ministry with IBLP in subsequent years, and it was probably about seven years ago that Valerie began to stand out with more significance. Although we never really had the opportunity to work together closely, I admired her love for the Lord, joyful spirit, and desire to serve others.

Last October, shortly after my arrival in South Korea, I began praying more seriously about the potential of beginning a courtship relationship with Valerie. After returning to the States in July, I called Valerie’s father in August to share with him my interest in Valerie.

Mr. and Mrs. Mueller were thrilled, as were my parents, to see the Lord’s apparent leading in this area. After a few days of prayerful consideration and discussion, Mr. and Mrs. Mueller shared with Valerie my desire to begin a relationship. She was delighted to hear of my interest, and our hearts were quickly knit together as we officially began our courtship on September 10th.

We have rejoiced to see the Lord’s hand so evident in leading us together! From the full support of our families, to the parallel vision and calling in life, we can only step back and say that God has done a miracle! For many years we had both been trusting the Lord to bring His best at the right time, but never did we imagine how fully the Lord would answer that prayer!

Valerie and I look forward to sharing the story in more detail in the days to come, but we wanted to publicly announce our engagement so that you can rejoice with us in God’s goodness! Right now we are looking at March 3rd for a wedding date, and we will post further details on our Web site as plans are confirmed.

“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

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A Joyous Capstone

Adam's Updates, Family News, South Korea

Nine months have quickly passed in Korea and Mongolia, and in our final week in Korea we had the great joy of seeing the culmination of thousands of hours of work by our Korean staff over more than two years as they worked to complete a full Korean translation of the Basic Seminar.

Attending a Basic Seminar in Orange County, CA as a young man in his late twenties, Mr. Hwang saw the great spiritual value that this seminar could bring to the people of Korea. It was there that he first had the vision of translating this seminar into the Korean language. Now, exactly twenty years later, Mr. Hwang had the joy of seeing this dream become reality.

Of course no “seminar” can truly change a life, but the Word of God is powerful, and when Biblical principles are understood and applied to daily life, the blessing of the Lord brings a joy and peace that carries us through the storms and uncertainties of life. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 that when we build our life around the truths of Scripture, we are like a wise man that built his house upon a rock. (See Matthew 7:24-27)

Over 100 Koreans attended this first seminar, and many encouraging testimonies were shared by the attendees. Mrs. Ha was in tears as she shared with my parents how happy she was to hear the seminar in the Korean language. I talked with one girl who had previously heard the seminar in English, and asked for her impression. “It is really different.” she told me, “When I listened to the seminar in English, I had to translate everything in my mind, but now the message goes in deeply.”

Among the attendees I was thrilled to see the senior pastor and two others from the church in Jeju Island that Mr. Moon and I had gotten to know during our memorable visit last January. They enjoyed the seminar very much, and hope to host one at their church in December.

May the Lord bless the seeds of truth that have been sown in the hearts of the attendees, and may the application of God’s Word bring great blessing to their lives and families.

 

 

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Updates from Mongolia

Family News, Mongolia

A long-awaited day!

In March we had the privilege of doing something that I have long-wanted to do! We helped with getting the place ready. As the flow of people began to increase I helped with registration as best I could with my limited ability in Mongolian. Part way through the first session I walked into an auditorium where nearly 200 people were seated, listening attentively to the message of a seminar that has greatly influenced and impacted our family’s life.

This is the third Mongolian Basic Seminar that has been shown now. What a blessing to see a people group that I love, listening so attentively to the Seminar in their own language!

One of the neat stories that came out of this week was from a couple who recently had begun coming to church. They came to the seminar and there decided that they were going to burn and destroy their idols! It is amazing to think of the reality of some of these things here in Mongolia. Praise the Lord for working in many lives during the week!

As the attendees were leaving after the last session there were “thank you’s” that came from many. One staff person noted that by the end of the Seminar there were more smiles on the faces of the attendees than at the beginning.

The following week, though it was much smaller, we were able to hold the same seminar for English speakers, most of which were Koreans. Our whole family was able to attend the Seminar as well, which was a blessing as I have not been through the whole Seminar for a few years.

Basic Seminar Follow-Up Course

Following the Basic Seminars my Dad began teaching a seven-week, condensed, follow-up course to the Basic Seminar. With so much information and many practical truths shared in the 32 hours of the Basic Seminar, it is helpful to be reminded of the truths shared in the Basic Seminar at a slower pace, as well as being able to ask questions. With about 45 people in attendance, my Dad shares on a principle for one night, sharing on a new principle each week. Many sit and hungrily listen to the life-changing truths that are shared; many of them taking notes as my Dad goes through the power-points. And, if he goes to fast for them to take down what is on the slide, they let him know so that he can slow down or go back to the slide he was on so they can copy it down. They are hungry for the principles of God’s Word! We have had several that have shared testimonies for the group, of what God has done in their life through applying these Basic Principles of life.

Trainings at the Ulaanbaatar MK School

We have gotten to participate in some trainings, as well, while we have been here. One of the on-going trainings that Samuel and I have been involved in is for the UBMK (Ulaanbaatar Missionary Kids) School. It is a school for Korean missionary children whose parents are serving in Mongolia. We have the opportunity to speak into the lives of 60+ children and teenagers. The leadership have been very gracious and hospitable. It is a nice way to continue our connection with the Koreans even as we are here in Mongolia.

A Final Class for Some College Seniors

The opportunity was given to Samuel and I to teach the final class for a group of College Seniors. There teacher, a Korean lady, had invested in their lives in the previous 15 class times and wanted us to give them a challenge as they go out into the world. There major is English, which allowed us to teach them in English without translation.

What a privilege and exciting opportunity! Samuel and I planned what we would teach and arrived at the University. God’s ways are so much different than our ways! Samuel and I walked into the University, only one of us a graduate from high school (though Samuel is very close, graduating this year!) going to teach a class of students who were going to be graduating from College! It was a special opportunity though as we shared about the importance and impact of the choices that we make.

One of the illustrations we used was of a block tower. Each block in the tower represents a choice that we make. If we choose to make right choices we will have a solid tower, however if we make wrong choices, our “towers” will not stand when the pressure comes. After completing the building of a good tower we tried the tower with a couple of tests. The final test was having 170lbs. of weight placed on the tower-in the form of Samuel :-). As Samuel stood on the tower he was challenging the students with the question of, if little choices really matter. Does it really matter if I steal money? Even two dollars worth? As the students sat there and watched, some agreed that that would not be a problem. Each block however represents one choice. When Samuel was ready, I pulled one of the blocks from the tower he was standing on. The tower fell to the floor and Samuel, having much practice, came down and safely landed on his feet. But, the tower was ruined! Did one choice really matter?

As we were nearing the end of the class time, we asked if any one had any questions. A young man in the back row raised his hand, “How can we rebuild the tower once it has fallen down?” “I wasn’t listening to that part could you tell it again?” We were able to explain to the class how when we do what is wrong, we can make it right by going back to the one we hurt and asking for their forgiveness. What a blessing to know that the message we were sharing had reached this young man’s heart. And that he, a young man probably in his twenties, was willing to raise his hand and ask that question in front of all his classmates.

Fun on a Mountain!

With only twelve short weeks here, we decided that we should take advantage of the free Saturday we had and take a climb up Script Hill. I really don’t enjoy hiking, but today I was actually one of the ones suggesting we go.

Rebecca prepared some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and some chocolate chip cookies to bring with us on our hike. We got ready to go and walked down to where we could get a bus that would take us within about three-quarters of a mile from the foot of the mountain. We could have taken another bus from that point, but we just walked instead.

Script Hill is a steep shorter climb and we made it up in about 20min. We ate our lunch at the top of the mountain, before hiking further up the real mountain. It was a lot of fun and I actually really enjoyed the hike. We got to climb up some steep parts and got to take a lot of nice pictures. It was a special time of building memories and of walking through memories from the past. At the top we each ate our second cookie and sang a couple of songs in Mongolian before heading back down the mountain and returning home.

Trip to Turtle Rock

A driver was called and before too long we were on our way! After driving for about an hour and a half we arrived and were able to climb “Turtle Rock”. Adam came to Mongolia for a 12 day visit and was able to join us for this special trip, which included each of us getting to ride Mongolian horses as well as camels! Below are some pictures!

Thank you for your prayers for us!

In Christ,

Sarah Waller

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