God has done so many good things through the ministry and now we just wanted to share a little of the family things that have happened over the year. It has been a good year.
In May we drove to Moline, Illinois and spent a few days with Bill’s family. There’s a small church near Bill’s Mom, Karen’s house, we went to for mother’s day with her and Bill’s sister, Kelly. Another blessing during that weekend was that Bill’s Uncle Jim and Aunt Rosanne where there at the same time so we were able to visit with them as well. It was also nice to be able to spend time with Bill’s brother, Dave and our niece Madilynn.
Towards the end of May we drove over to New Mexico where our niece, Hannah’s, graduation party was held before she headed out for Kentucky to work with a Hot Air Balloon Company for the summer! It was Great to spend time with Julia’s side of the family during that visit as well.
A couple of months later we ended up driving back to New Mexico suddenly as Julia’s Dad, Bill went into emergency surgery because of a large cyst on his liver that had ruptured. God orchestrated everything perfectly and directed his path from procedures at a hospital in Santa Fe to a trip in the ambulance to Albuquerque for further procedures there. We arrived while he was in Albuquerque and was able to help Julia’s Mom, Jan, for the week as her Dad went through surgery and then with the transition back home to Santa Fe. After Bill was settled in Santa Fe Bill O. headed back to Kansas City and Julia was blessed with the ablility to stay another week help with recovery. We are so grateful to God that Julia’s Dad is fully recovered now and in good health!
During the summer we got to see our niece, Hannah, in action with the hot air balloon company, at a festival in Kansas City. We also got to see our cousins, Bill & Betty Foster, who came out from Texas to visit family.
In October, Bill’s mom, brother, niece and a couple of friends drove out to Kansas City from Illinois. Karen and Madilynn were able to enjoy the GX inner city outreach with us. Then we were treated to a Kansas City Chiefs game against the Saints. There were fans from both sides in our group but the Chiefs prevailed!
This December we were in a friends wedding out in Mexico’s countryside. We then drove along the Mexican side of the border between Del Rio and Eagle Pass, Texas towards Piedras Negras, MX. Bill was be able to work on some meetings for the Spring outreach in Piedras Negras while we were there as we made many great connections with the Mexican people in that area. Afterwards we drove to Weslaco, TX and had an early Christmas with Julia’s grandmother, Julia Slaughter (Mommy Slaughter), Julia’s 101 year old grandmother! It was a wonderful visit! We then made our way to Santa Fe, NM for Christmas with Julia’s family.
Luke 1:27-31
"The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus."
We would ask that everyone shall take out your bibles and read the whole of these scriptures. Consider the Faith of Mary. That she heard the message of God. She obeyed God’s message to her and she followed through with HIS commands. It is essential that we take time for HIM, be still and listen. Because God’s promises are true for us just like they were for Mary.
This has been a very blessed year and we want to thank everyone of you for supporting Otterness Missions. Julia and I pray you all have a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!