Grammer

Dear Friends in Christ,

Last month, we shared with you how a careless camper started a forest fire that burned over 15,000 acres across the mountains in front of our house. The loss of vegetation has created another threat for our area-flash floods. For the past week, sandbags & “wattles” (long straw tubes) have been available for the “danger” zones. There are 3 levels and we are considered to be in the third and lowest level.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Many of you have asked for more information about the radio station project in Thorne Bay, Alaska. The location is on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Some of you have been following the news! Several of you have called or e-mailed to find out how we are doing with the forest fire in Flagstaff. It started around 11:30 A.M. on Father’s Day and by 4:00 the news was reporting that over 4,000 acres were burning. That was 5 days ago and the latest report was 15,000 acres with expectations that it will be well over 20,000 before it’s over. 1,000 firemen from around the state are working on it and may well be at it for the next couple of weeks. They are estimating that they have it 40% under control but it is still burning in some very rough terrain and difficult to access it.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Did you miss us? Instead of writing our monthly letter last month, we were on the road, driving back to New York and then on to Pennsylvania. We were in two churches each Sunday and then another church for Wednesday night prayer meeting for the entire month of May. It has been a long time since we’ve seen some of you folks and we tried to visit as many of our churches as possible during our time in the east.

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
We just had a visit from a young Navajo man who is actively involved in training teachers to work with children.  He trains young teens and then gets them immediately involved in VBS and Bible Clubs in various churches on the Reservation.  He was telling us how the teens are now coming to him to find how they can be used.  This man’s parents were former students of ours many years ago.  What an encouragement it was to see the next generation carrying on the work of the ministry.   As we visited, he was quite reserved, until he began to talk of his work and then his enthusiasm was very evident.  It was a blessing to see his love for our Lord.  We did not personally train him, but had a part in it through his parents; just as you also had a part in it by helping us stay on the field with your prayers and gifts.  Thank you.

March 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,

A recent headline in our local paper stated that we have only one major city in the US that surpasses our snowfall this year to date. We have had 118” on snow already with more predicted this week-end and snow can fall into mid-May. We are not complaining much, as this is our main water source, living in “high-mountain desert”. However, on one occasion, when the Highway from Phoenix to Flagstaff was closed down due to the road conditions, Sam had to spend the night with one of our missionaries in Camp Verde until the road was opened the next day. Enjoyed the visit and thankful for God’s provision.

February 2010
Dear Friends in Christ,

On November 30, our son-in-law, Nathan Carmichael was injured on the job when a tree they were bringing down hit him. We left 2 days later with the Drs.’ opinion that though the injuries were quite serious, it was nothing he wouldn’t recover from. However, it wasn’t long after that, he developed pneumonia and spent 3 weeks on a ventilator fighting for his life. Janet returned to North Carolina for 4 weeks to help Chris be free to be at his side as much as needed.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Last month’s letter was late due to our traveling. This month’s letter will be early-due to travel. Janet, our family secretary, is heading for North Carolina to be with the Carmichael family. Our daughters have been taking turns staying and helping them, but need to get back home to family and responsibilities. Now it’s Janet’s turn to help out. The goal is to help maintain a normal daily routine for the kids (12, 14 & 16) and to hold and pray with them during the evening hours when they may feel a bit overwhelmed with all that’s going on.

Dear Friends in Christ,

I had hoped to get this letter out to you last week. However, we were traveling and our laptop wasn’t up to the task. I guess it’s time to start saving up for a laptop that is more capable and reliable.

Each year, during the holiday season, we like to spend a few days with some of our kids and grandkids. This year, we were once again in North Carolina and able to see 3 of our daughters and their husbands and 8 grandkids! We had 3 days together and everyone seemed to be having a great time together and filled with thankful hearts.

Dear Friends in Christ,

It was the fall of 1972 when we packed up our family and headed for the southwestern US. It has become our home now and it’s hard to believe that it has been over 37 years. We’ve seen trials and triumphs over the years and have found our God to be faithful through them all. Our calendar isn’t as full as when we were younger, but we feel that our labor is more productive as the years increase. It seems that more often the Indian people come to us than we travel to them. Our plan is to continue to serve as long as He gives us service to do.