Merry Christmas!!!

You know, a Christmas letter is quite the daunting task. I mean! To come up with all the memorable events of the past year??! *okay. breathe. you can do this*  They've gotta be good ones, right? Well... truth be told, no one will really know if you missed THE MOST memorable... right? :-) Hmmm....*i'll come back tomorrow after i scour my journals. i kid.*

Here'goes!

Jonathan Paul

    This year has been one of taking chances for Jon. He has applied for position advancement in his company and is well regarded there. Besides his regular tasks, he often is assisting and teaching others how to use tools and run machines! His boss doesn't want to let him transfer to any other departments. :-) At least not yet.
     He has  put his genius to work here at our home *whiiich we affectionately call Honey Tree Hill.*. His foresight is incredible; a complete gift from the Lord! We were faced with finding a new heat source this winter as our natural gas line sprung a leak. It was minor and no one was hurt. *thumbs up* However, before it could be repaired Winter came and over-ran Fall with 16 inches of snow in 24 hours. *  thanks winter, we love you too.* Our natural gas line is our source of heating, cooking, and hot water. Thankfully, over the past year Jon has been working on installing a wood stove which is connected to a water line connected to beautiful radiators in our house. We are in the process of re-wiring the kitchen for an electric range, and eventually we'll have something for hot water- Jon has ideas that I don't understand. His work at home has been revolving mainly around winterizing our home.  *I highly encourage you to ask him what the Lord has been teaching him....its fascinating and marvelous... and I can't recap it here.*



Erin Elisabeth Joy

      My year has mainly revolved around two things. Loving the simplicity of homemaking and finding an incredible amount of emotional healing. OH yes, and Goats. I do work outside the home as well. I am an RN and am currently being trained in to a Transitional Care Unit here in town. It is a great opportunity to learn new skills! I really appreciate the job being so close to home and the hours will be great! *and yes, the pay check too. that's always a plus!*
     I've been dealing with hurts in my life and processing through them with a professional counselor. THE BEST thing I've ever done. When my mom told me that years ago, I didn't believe her. *sorry, mom* When emotional hurts and baggage are taken care of, there is so much freedom to discover who God made you to be and to walk out the calling he has for you. Not to mention the wonderful physical manifestations of "cleaning house" are incredible! So much more to that story...keep in touch!
     Goats... goats...goats! I'm in love with my little herd. We have always wanted a four legged animal to clear out the under brush of our woods while at the same time producing a commodity. We found an opportunity we couldn't pass up and got three beautiful goats: two nanny's and a billy. Because we're now expecting the arrival of baby goats (or kids) we needed to acquire a male goat with no capabilities of reproduction to keep our billy company when separated. So- four! We will begin milking our nanny's about 8 weeks after they kid. New experiences all around, but we're looking forward to it! Part of our "Goat Tale" includes cooperative farming. Our good friends dove into this adventure with us and we split costs and produce equally. More or less, we've started living in a modern community with this family. What a blessing! Our little herd has been nothing but a blessing all around!

Levi Justice

    This little dude is 5! Yes, 5! He is very talkative and active. He has started enjoying earning small pay for his chores and I really enjoy having a "tag-a-long"! He and our Billy Goat are of the same caliber and have fun with each other! Levi is also the only one in our family who can fully interpret Nathan's language as they are close buddies. They share a room and neither one likes to sleep without the other close by.
     Levi has found a new love: LEGOS. Yes. My brain literally does a mini freak out session every time I think of the potential mess. However, Levi has done a fantastic job of keeping them confined to a small table in our living room.We also recently put in a  "Toy Library" which decreases the clutter, and for whatever reason keeps the Legos where they belong.

     One of the major events for Levi this year was accepting Jesus in to his life!  What a great honor it was to be with him when this happened. I'm so proud, that even at 4 1/2 he realized he had a need for Jesus to help him and save him.



Nathan Melchizedek

     Mr Talk-A-Lot.  I've got two of them! The boys are so good for each other. As much as Nathan is a talker, he is very content to play by himself. He always wants to show us things, though. :-) He is very much 2 years old and fascinated by the world around him. Everything is "look, mama!" and "wasch (watch)!" I think my favorite age is this one. So far, anyway. The whole world has just opened up to him, and everything is new.
     This week was one of firsts for Nathan. He began to say "you too!", meaning, "I love you!" while he leans in for a hug. Its precious. No, really. :-) He also just started pointing to parts of his face and calling them by their names. Adorable. He is becoming increasing interested in potty-training. I don't know whether to cheer or cry, or both.
     Nathan is also in to cars and airplanes just like his big brother. This summer we spent some time at our local small airport watching the planes take off and land. That also inspired Jon to take Levi to the airshow in Blaine. BIG hit! Nathan was too young to really enjoy it, therefore didn't go. But, taking cues from Levi, every other word out of his mouth this summer was "Payne! Payne!" Sweet, sweet boy!

Amakalin Jubilee

     This one is our bundle of joy. We are bathed in smiles every.single.morning. And, of course we love it! She is generous with her joyful heart and lightens the atmosphere always.
     She came this summer with some coaxing, but came! When she arrived we asked that she be weighed twice- as a joke, sort of...- because her cheeks were so enormous and well, anyone with those cheeks can't weigh just 81/2 pounds! Those precious cheeks get lots of raspberries!
     Her big brothers have adored her from day 1. The first time Nathan held her at the hospital I attempted to adjust her position and he pulled her away quickly and said "No! MINE!" Thus the love has continued. Levi is the perfect big brother. Always doting on her and concerned for her welfare. He couldn't be more proud!!!






This year has been full. I mean- jam packed! I haven't even written about our ministry! We have loved just about every single second. Sure- the hard things aren't quite as lovable, but they've all been worth it. If there is a small portion of scripture that sums up our past year is would be this:

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be matureand complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
~James 1:2-5

This year we've had the immense privilege of soaking and taking in the Word of God and having every day applications for it. I deeply wish I could recount every instance where we've had a question and a verse comes to mind with the very answer we needed- and most times did not expect. The Word of the Lord has been an extreme comfort to us and has proven over and over again the Lord's faithfulness to those who call on him in any circumstance! 

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
~John 20:31

We pray with all sincerity that you will discover the faithfulness of God in your life. In a season of reflection and celebration I hope you can see that the Lord has been good to you regardless of the outward appearance of each circumstance. 

All our love and best wishes!!!

Jonathan, Erin, Levi, Nathan, & Amakalin Selin

ps-Jon approves this message. ;-)