2015 Family Update!

Dear Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas from the Pruett Family! The joy of the season can be captured in Anna's exclamation from the back seat of our mini-van, “Look! Lights! They are getting ready for Christmas!” She loves that people all over our little city are coming together to decorate for Christmas.

Our family in the light of the candle on the first Sunday of Advent

Looking back over 2015, some of it was good and some of it was very difficult. We are so thankful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He was with us through it all. We can see His hand at work in our lives in so many ways. Among other things, we were able to travel to the San Antonio, Texas, area in June for a family reunion with the descendants of Elizabeth's great grandparents Lawrence and Marjorie Moore. The year was also full of many other family get-together with extended family on both Zachary and Elizabeth's sides of the family, and our relationships in our church family have continued to deepen.

Zachary's work has undergone several changes in the last twelve months. He was content with his job and wasn't looking for another. Still, he was blessed to receive a job offer from Mertz Manufacturing to work in their IT department. He is now their Network Administrator. Mertz and the people there have been such a blessing to us. It is exciting for Zachary to be doing the computer work he loves all the time instead of being divided in several directions. In his spare time, Zachary takes the family to the zoo and has developed an interest in golf. He can be found practicing his swing in all weather and during all hours of the day. Anna and John have both picked up the sport with him and have a blast with their miniature plastic clubs.

Elizabeth's year was full of chasing after John, reading with Anna, and playing with them both. John prefers peekaboo and can now find his nose. Anna enjoys painting, pretending to be anything from a duck to a bear, and baking. This was the gingerbread year. Two gingerbread homes and a church with stained glass windows were decorated this Christmas season, and the year isn't over yet! Elizabeth's involvement at church and in several genealogy/lineage societies keeps her active in the community. She is tweaking her family tree, discovering new ancestors, and finding photographs of old ones. A whim and her desire to be a lifelong learner led Elizabeth to begin studying Swedish – the language spoken by her most recent immigrant, John Peterson [1843-1907].

Anna Christine is 3 ½ and growing into a little lady. She enjoys listening to her Mommy (and others) read to her even more than her Mommy enjoys reading to her – which is saying a lot! Anna began the new homeschool preschool program from My Father's World in July, and the entire family is blessed by it. We knew as a family that we wanted a gentle academic beginning that encouraged a love of learning with a foundation rooted in God's Word. “All Aboard the Animal Train” is exactly that program. Each unit focuses on a color, animal and biblical character trait and is full of great book suggestions, activities, and games. Anna is learning to memorize Bible verses and, more importantly, to treat others with God's love, kindness, patience, etc. Anna brings us and her grandparents so much joy. We are privileged to live near family, and Anna spends frequent quality time with all four of her grandparents.

John William is our climber. He started walking at 11 months, and now, at not quite 1 ½, his mobility amazes and intimidates us. John tries to get into everything. He is bold, determined, and fast. His almost fearless approach to life has earned him many bumps and bruises, but he bounces back amazingly well. Thankfully, he is a good sleeper because getting anything done with him on the loose is a challenge. John is sweet and affectionate. His hugs are long, his welcoming smile and “Hi!” are enthusiastic, and his good-bye wave is endearing. It is hard to say “no” to his outstretched arms. His favorite toy is his set of golf clubs, and he practices his swing daily just like his daddy. John uses a few choice words to great effect with some highly communicative grunts and squeals and the occasional “what did he just say?” phrase that makes our heads turn.

2016 promises to be a big year with family milestones and travel, so please pray that our steps would be ordered by the Lord and that we would be safe and sane as we travel great distances with our little ones. Thank you all for your friendship!

With Love,

Zachary, Elizabeth, Anna, and John Pruett

Merry Christmas!