December Update

Hello and Merry Christmas to everyone. We have had an eventful and full 2009 in our family. For Brian it has been a packed and academically stretching year, taking more classes than he ever has, but being done almost 5 months early. Brian took a full semester’s worth of classes over the summer by participating in a Study Tour to England & Scotland, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Then he attempted to take 5 classes in the fall to graduate in December. However, the amount of work was too much and he dropped out of one class in September. However, he finished the semester well and has already begun the reading and assignments for his class in January that will complete his degree requirements. He will officially graduate in May even though he will be completely done with his degree in mid-January.

Brian spent the first half of 2009 as the acting interim pastor at our church here in Louisville, since then he has been very active in the transition and ministry support of the new full time pastor. The transition has gone well and the church is moving in the right direction again, we thank God for his mercy and blessing on our church.

Along with the full semester this fall, Brian has been submitting his resume and looking for a full time church position. As of right now, we do not have any positions he is interviewing for, though we have had some requests for sermons and some possibilities exist. We are looking toward churches in South Carolina, as we believe that is where the Lord wants us to return after Brian finishes in January. So you can be in prayer for the Lord’s direction and open door for where He wants us to be.

In August, Amy’s parents came to live with us for some health reasons. All is well after two outpatient surgeries and numerous visits to numerous doctors. It was a joy to have so much time with her parents. They are now 1.5 miles away for a respite stay at an assisted living resort still enjoying several visits from grandchildren every week.

As for the children, all the boys got eyeglasses a few weeks ago, Ferris just got new ones as he has worn them fulltime for several years. It was the first time for Joshua and Daniel, who wear them for reading and school work. They have been enjoying them, although the newness has worn off now. They are now in the throes of Upward basketball practice. One jammed finger already!

Grace has developed into quite the creative writer. Our homeschool group in Louisville put on a writers contest for the homeschoolers and Grace submitted a fictional drama story entitled, “A Walk By the Cliffs.” It was the story of a young girl who came to serve as a servant girl in an English home by the ocean overlooking some cliffs. After her arrival another girl in the home becomes jealous and plots to murder our young heroine. It was a very good read and she received one of three honorable mentions, the contest had a winner and honorable mentions only, among the High School level contestants. After copyright issues are settled with her publisher, we will try to post the story online for everyone to read.

If you want to follow us between emails we both are on Facebook, and Brian is on Twitter. Brian’s contacts are Facebook.com/fbriansmith twitter.com/fbrian

For Amy on Facebook search for “Amy Counts Smith.”

To God be the Glory,

Thankful for you all,

Brian, Amy, Grace, Ferris, Daniel & Joshua

Grace Rectial Video

We the some new software I have been able to make some of our home videos into web video files. We want to share some of them with everyone over time, don't worry the really embarrasing ones will never leave my harddrive.

Our first video is Grace's recital from May of last year.