Christmas Time

Dear Friends and Family,

Things have been going slowly but surely since the last time I posted. I have not only begun my medical preparations but have also gotten dental work started as I would hate to have a toothache miles from 'civilization'. It turns out it's a good thing I got my teeth checked as I have a cavity that will need filling. That will be another expense but I am trusting God to provide.
I have been required to take an online course on the world Christian movement which is about $250 more than I had planned on in my budget. This course will start next month and last for 15 weeks. Please pray for me as I study and attempt to learn what God has for me in this class.
Things have been pretty tight for me financially, just trying to keep my pickup full and pay the few bills I have. By the grace of God, I was presented with a large Christmas bonus from my main job. What a blessing that was! It does not erase the issues but it does lessen my financial strain for the time being. I had not even realized I was doubting God to take care of me; all I knew was that I was becoming more stressed and having to say 'no' to some things I had planned on and wanted to do. Then I was given four envelopes: my regular paycheck and three with cash. I started crying, overwhelmed by God's provision for me. I had never imagined receiving such a gift.
In the past few weeks, I have received support from an amazing number of people, some of whom I only know in passing. Just this morning I received an email from someone I hadn't seen in at least three years telling me that she was sending me the unexpected excess from her business. What a blessing to me and a gift from her heart! I plan to email my coordinator in the next few days and ask for a year-end statement so that I will know where I stand financially.
At work, I received something of a promotion in that I now teach history, reading, and spelling to the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade class three afternoons a week. This class does 'missions' every few months to share the love of Christ or support a local ministry and they have voted to do a fundraiser for me next month. This is something that will not only help me financially but really touches my heart to have my students involved in my trip. Praise God for their current interest in missions! I pray that it only continues to grow the older they get. There is something about the faith of a child and his/her love for the Savior that has unspeakable power.
On a more personal note, I am preparing to fly to Canada on the 27th to visit my family there. They are not believers so please pray for open doors and hearts. They have all received my prayer card and either a support letter or brochure, all of which have my website on them, so they know what my plans are for this coming year. Please please pray that their hearts will be open to the gospel. This will be our first Christmas since my grandmother passed (she was a quiet believer) and I hope that perhaps this will have created a tenderness of heart for the love of Christ.
Thanking you for your support and prayers and wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year,
Emily Baughman, RVT, CVT