All of a sudden it seems like the weather has gotten a bit nippy—at least for me (Scott). Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I’m no longer on the equator. I took an unexpected trip to Omaha this week to help care for my dad. He has been facing some health challenges, and it became clear that it was important to work as a family to help with his care.
Thankfully, we are seeing improvements in his health, but we are also faced with the need to make longer term planning. Dad believes it is time for him to move to an assisted care facility, and we, his children, agree. Today we chose a location, and this weekend we’ll be moving many of his belongings. On Monday we plan to transition him from hospital care to his new residence. We expect him to continue to gain strength and health in his new environment. These have been difficult days, but God has proved very faithful, and we are full of hope for a successful adjustment for Dad in the coming weeks. Please pray for the challenges our family is walking through.
I (Kristi) am still in Quito finishing classes before Christmas vacation. Then I will join Scott and we’ll get to celebrate Christmas with our kids and grandchildren.
It took most of the first quarter of the school year to get back into the routine of being back in the classroom but I’m so thankful for my 22 6th graders who keep life anything but boring. We just finished spiritual emphasis week in elementary where we looked at the life of Joseph and how God was a game changer in his life and how he also wants to do the same for us. We are getting ready for our Christmas program next week. As always, our schedules are changed upside down these days before Christmas but we still try to find time to continue with our regular classes. Please pray especially that my kids show kindness and respect to their classmates and please pray for me as I continue to challenge them in this area. | 
