Dear Friends of Wales Awakening:

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
  Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
  They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world..."
                                Psalm 19:1-4

Last night's appearance of the "Christmas Star" was veiled to us because of clouds and rain here, but the internet enables to see through millions of eyes around the world. Also known as the "The Great Conjunction" of Jupiter and Saturn, these two planets haven't been this close together for about 800 years.

Fortunately we don't need to wait for special celestial events to appreciate the glory of God or the work of His hands or to understand as they reveal knowledge of the King of kings. In fact, Romans 1:20 says, " For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." So during this holiday season of limited movement and social interaction, our prayers continue that people's eyes, ears, and hearts would be opened to see, hear, and understand the message of grace and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

We had a fun family chat a few weeks ago and so would like to share a little family news. Thankfully none of them have been directly touched by the pandemic, although at this point we all know people that have. Everyone is learning about working from home mostly and staying safe.

Our oldest son Peter and his wife Allie are still living in San Diego. He has about a year and a half left before retiring from the US Marine Corps, and is looking forward civilian life and plans to take up a university degree thanks to the GI Bill.
His wife Allie is working with a local organization that works to benefit minority groups there in their area. They are enjoying being back in California and also the good weather that prevails there.

Our daughter Grace continues her work in the international public health sector, and has been working with UNICEF since the beginning of the year. She enjoys the challenge of her new job, and continues working with people in many nations. She stills loves living in Brooklyn and being part of the life of the Big Apple, especially now that her extensive traveling has come to a halt.

Mike and Lauren are still in Louisiana, and both doing well. Mike has recently started a new position with the Louisiana highway department. After several years of road design work, which he really enjoyed, he is now working with an expanding mapping division. He had experience in this in a previous job, and is really looking forward to a more adventurous and creative experience. Lauren has successfully adapted to new pandemic-related limitations and has taken her artistic talents to new levels in making intricately decorated cakes and other goodies, as well as colorful and knitted goods. 

Richard and Emily have returned to the East Coast from their two and a half years in California's Bay Area, and are settling in well "Down East" in Portland, Maine. They were missing being closer to family and have enjoyed a few visits as conditions permitted. Dicky, as we call him, is still very much engaged with his career in industrial design, and working from home has been the standard for some time. Emily also has her office at home and continues honing her professional skills organizing and facilitating conferences for the medical field. We were delighted that Grace was able to drive up to be with them over the holidays.

Several folks have asked us about our housing situation, so here's a brief update. After looking at several properties, we have yet to find the place the Lord has for us. However we are certain that it is out there somewhere, and that He knows precisely where it is and when it will become available to us. A favorite verse comes to mind in Proverbs 25:2, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." We have until early April to move, so time is still favorable for us. But as you might well imagine, we look forward to discovering the Lord's little "secret", and truly appreciate your prayers with us for this matter.

May you and your loved ones know God's unfailing goodness and ever-renewed mercies during Christmastime throughout the coming year,

Dick & Gladys

Dear Friends of Wales Awakening:

It is amazing to find ourselves in December again already. With everything that's going on in today's world time has been like an accordion—at times stretched out, and at others, seemingly compressed beyond belief. But no matter what it feels like, here we just weeks away from Christmas and 2021!

It dawned on me the other morning that the message of Christmas is all about revival. When the angels told the shepherds in Luke 2:10, "...behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people", they were announcing the greatest news ever heard! And when Paul told Timothy in 1 Tim 1:15, ...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...", His main point was that God was opening the Way to eternal life from the world bound by sin and death.

God took upon Himself weak mortal flesh to make this astounding invitation in Matthew 11:28 to "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest [for your souls]." He is throwing open the doorway to life eternal to "whosoever will may come." And the result of God's supreme gift of love and sacrifice opens blind eyes to see how "...the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" clearly stated in Habakkuk 2:14.

As we continue to pray and cry out for revival, we are joining together with so many countless others around the globe and throughout history. We are simply agreeing with God's desire as expressed in 2 Peter 3: 9, "The Lord is ...not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." This is the heart of revival. He longs for people to make the joyful discovery that only "...in Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28)

One of the greatest parts of that discovery is learning about Him and how to abide Him—it's all about relationship. In our readings this morning, this verse in 1 John 2:27 was clearly opened up to me. "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him." I was so caught up by this I recording a 4-minute video on the spot which I invite you to enjoy at this link.

Let's make the very most of this season, as Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 3:15. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Or even better, volunteer the Good News freely!

God bless you and your loved ones during this special season,

Dick & Gladys