Christmas Letter

Hey people. Here's an electronic version of my Christmas letter. Enjoy!

December 2008
Greetings!

Hello again from Josh and Brie. 2008 could be called “The Year of Change” for the Browns. I’ve decided to run-down our lives this year chronologically:

January: Josh was working part-time from home for Northstar Financial Services and part-time at church, as well as taking seminary classes. I was still teaching K-6 music at two elementary schools.

February: We discovered that I was pregnant! I put in my resignation at school, since I have always planned on staying home once we had kids.

March: Josh was ordained as a pastor by our church. This didn’t change his duties much, except now he’s allowed to baptize, and Uncle Sam treats us a little differently now. In this picture the pastors and deacons are praying over him at the ordination ceremony .

April: I had my last two programs as a music teacher. I wasn’t too sad to be done with that aspect of teaching!

May: We had our ultrasound and discovered we’d be having a baby boy. How awesome to see his tiny body squirming around inside me! Also in May, I taught a summer school computer class for three weeks, and Josh quit his Northstar job. It really didn’t work well with all the summer trips he’d be taking, so he said goodbye to that chapter of his life.

June: Josh took another trip to Mexico with five high school and college students. Many thanks to those of you who prayed! They were able to put up a tent for a house-church to meet in, pass out 3747 gospels, and assist in leading 47 people to Christ.

July: All of my brothers and sisters and many aunts, uncles, and cousins traveled to Bancroft for a Headlee reunion at my parents’ farm. We don’t see them very often, so it was wonderful to catch up. Also in July, Josh spent three weeks at Super Summer, the camp we take our youth to. I wasn’t able to go because of some pregnancy complications, so I spent the time visiting some cousins and watching a lot of movies.

August: We took a vacation to Rapid City to spend a week with the Browns. The extended family got together while we were there, and that was a lot of fun. Also in August, Josh found out he’d be moving to full-time at the church. We immediately began house-hunting and soon made an offer.

September: Josh began his new job as head Student Ministries Pastor on September 1st. We moved into our new house on September 12th, within three weeks of finding it. But we had to move quickly, because our baby, due October 6th, came two weeks early. We welcomed Micah Dennis Brown into the world on September 23rd at 12:26 p.m. He weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces and was 22 inches long. Everything about his delivery went really well, and other than a short bout with jaundice, he’s been extremely healthy. This picture was taken when he was 8 weeks old.

October: I don’t remember October. I didn’t get much sleep that month…

November: We celebrated Thanksgiving in Rapid City this year. Micah spent pretty much the whole time in someone’s arms—mostly Grandma’s.

December: This month we have settled into a routine as a family. Josh is enjoying his job, although it keeps him very busy. I’m enjoying staying home. Micah keeps me busy, and I’ve also been attending some mothers’ groups and helping out with youth small groups at church. Micah likes to sleep, look around, make cute noises, and stand (with help, of course). It’s been so fun to watch him develop and grow. We love being parents! If you’d like to get updates and see pictures and videos of Micah, check out our blog: brownliving.blogspot.com

After such a crazy year, we’re looking forward to 2009. We feel like we’ve finally settled in here in Bellevue, so hopefully there won’t be any job changes or new houses for us this year. We’re looking forward to having Josh’s brother Matt come live in Omaha to attend Grace University in January—he’ll be Micah’s only aunt or uncle that lives within 500 miles of us! We’re also looking forward to getting another niece or nephew. My brother Eric and his wife Elizabeth are expecting their second baby in May.

Hopefully this letter finds you well. We pray that your Christmas season would be full of great memories and reflection on who Jesus is and why He came for you. Come see us if you’re in our neck of the woods!

Merry Christmas!

Brie, Josh, and Micah


P.S. Email me if you want our new address! brie-brown@hotmail.com