What we did this year...

January: God provided us with a van (through Missionary Motors) after ours was totaled the week before Christmas.

February: We celebrated Jackson's 8th birthday with a blizzard!

March: Matt visited supporters and family in California (on his 35th birthday).

April: Matt had his first gallery showing at the Arts Incubator, and Karen's "grandma" joined Facebook for a very fun, very lively April Fool's Day.

May: Karen realized how lucky she was to be the kind of mom who can chaperone field trips and throw class parties, even with 30 2nd grade girls singing (read: wailing) Justin Bieber songs.

June: We celebrated 12 years of perfectly imperfect wedded bliss, rededicating our family to serving God overseas.

July: Our first extended-family vacation! A week in North Carolina with Karen's family and visiting dear friends and supporters along the way! An extra bonus: the discovery that Karen is capable of baking banana bread.

August: A brilliant surprise visit from an Irish friend! Katharina spent three weeks in Kansas City training for a job back in Dublin. We also celebrated Asher's 2nd birthday and Karen's 30-ish birthday!

September: Matt & Karen attended the Sentralized Conference for missional church planters.

October: Ella turned 5 and we travelled to pert'near-Canada-Minnesota to share with a new supporting church, also visiting extended family and GEM friends.

November: Spent Thanksgiving with Matt's family in Wisconsin.

December: Matt had the honour of overseeing a"Blesschristenication" (baby dedication) for wee Claire, the delightful daughter of family friends.

Most asked question: "So, when do you leave?"
Happiest day: July 2nd, when we saw the ocean again.
Hardest month: October
Miles travelled (outside of KC): 8,000 by land; 4,000 by air

We continue to be so thankful for you: our faithful support team, who have been praying for us for years and investing in God's work in us and through us in Ireland.

Thank you for praying for us this year...

• for lifting up our ministry with artists and with our church here in Kansas City...
• for praying for our not-yet-believing friends, our Irish coworkers, and GEM colleagues in Ireland...
• for ministering to us through your friendship, encouragement and wisdom.... 

We almost literally cannot wait to "take you with us" back to Ireland. So pack your suitcases, because 2012 is the year we all go back!