December 2024

​Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, hope you and your families have had a wonderful time. We have had flooding which reduced the temperature quite a lot, we were hoping for snow, but its Thailand, maybe next year. Calvin and Abby opened presents on Christmas morning, Calvin got Legos, Abby got Duplos, they both got some cool books, I got some tools, and Fang got an automatic massage machine and a couple stainless steel pans with metal handles she can put in the oven too if she needs to. Calvin also got a Ukulele which i have been teaching myself so i can teach him. I already figured out how to play Amazing Grace, so I think we can do this. His fingers are really small but I think he will get used to it. We had a wonderful Christmas together. Before we came downstairs we read the Christmas story from Luke, and talked a little bit about it. We always did that when I was a kid, and I recommend it. It can be easy to loose sight of the reason for the season. 

On a negative note, We were notified that we have to wait 12 more months til we know if my petition for Fang is approved. This throws off our plans, and it means we will have to buy a ticket for Abby as well. Guess we underestimated how much time this can take. You can donate to our travel fund, and that will help us with the extra ticket when the time comes. We trust that it is for the best, and that God has better things planned for us. Perhaps we will celebrate Christmas in America next year. 

Christmas tree history sign
I got everything ready to make the sign, and then found out the transfer paper I was going to use to transfer the images to wood were way old and no good anymore. So I bought some more and they just arrived and appear to be good. I have the perfect sized board and will be able to make a sign that will hang next to the tree explaining the meaning of the Christmas tree. I figure I will continue the habit and make signs and ornaments that help explain things during different seasons. I like using holidays as a means for sharing the gospel. It really becomes a thought provoking thing when everywhere they go and see a Christmas tree, they are reminded of the meaning. 

I may make signs like this in the shop for sale as well. I am highly considering making things to sell online as a way to jumpstart the 3rd business. This will help me by reducing the number of things i have to make in bulk, because my customer base is bigger. I have long planned on making small things so this works well. 

Christmas book revision and expansion
Working on expanding the Christmas book. Until its done, i just use the pages as a slideshow in class, so its currently useful. Really had planned on having this done, but I have been really busy. Nonetheless, I've had lots of good conversations this Christmas season, more than normal. 

Reformation hymnal 
Have been working on the reformation hymnal a little bit everyday, So far the list is massive, and I am not sure how I will ever get it done. Pray for wisdom so that I know how to work towards completing this massive project. 

Renew shop branding
I think I have finally decided on branding for the shop, I want to call it Renew, because the whole theme of the shop are things that have been made new, and of course the gospel message in that is that we need to be made new. From trash to treasure. "Born again home decor", I'm sure we will have fun with the slogans. It won't be too long before I start making things to sell on a regular. Pray for me that I will know how to do this. If we do it right, we will be able to employ other believers, and this will become an additional mission field for us. 

Thankyou again for everyone who supports us and I really do hope you have a great new year, in Him we can do all things for his names sake.