The Coulter Christmas Letter

 

Another year has come and gone filled with wonderful memories.  Several years have passed since our last Christmas card and many new experiences have filled our lives, so it is time to fill you in!

T	hankful for the opportunity to serve in India as a family this past summer for several weeks, our family’s passion for missions grew in new and profound ways. The prayers and support blessed our time with the Indian people and we are forever grateful.
H	appiness fills our souls with the new addition to our family. Mocha Rae Coulter is a beautiful, energetic and cuddly 5-month-old Jack Russell Terrier – Maren’s new baby girl!
E	vidence of our individual gifts were apparent while serving in India together. Brad’s ability to use humor, that crosses all language barriers, brought joy and laughter to both the Indian people and the team. Maren’s heart for engaging the Indian kids in activities was apparent as she led kids and teachers in songs, crafts, and games in the schools and the fishermen village. Christy’s passion for equipping young women to thrive in their cultures was exhibited while visiting the nursing school and strengthened her desire to impact lives through higher education. Katie’s love of children was crystal clear while watching her interact with kids of all ages in all the places we visited. Courtney’s genuine love for people in other cultures and her heart for missions developed significantly as she cared for the Indian communities. The opportunity we had to see our unique gifts exemplified led us to this scripture as a family: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, in everyone.” – I Corinthians 12:4-6.
C	alling all party goers!!! Maren and Christy are finishing their master’s degrees in May 2012. After many hours of reading, writing and studying; Maren will complete her Master of Art’s in Education and Christy will receive her Master of Art’s in Higher Education this spring. Both are looking forward to celebrating this accomplishment!
O	ccupied by traversing Hudson’s land, Brad finds fulfillment in his newest title: Town’s Sniper. Every weekend he helps the overpopulated deer population decrease.
U	nsurprisingly, Courtney has transitioned well into college life and loves the memories being created at Bethel. She has felt called to major in social work and minor in communication. Courtney is looking forward to internships and experiences that give her the opportunity to serve in her final two and a half years of college.
L	ife in the Coulter household has changed drastically in recent years. Christy has been living in Pennsylvania for a whopping 3 years now; Katie is living in the “far-away” Minnesota; Courtney resides at Bethel with five roommates; and due to his work, Brad lives in Iowa Monday through Friday… living at home on the weekends.
T	o deal with a VERY empty nest, Maren and Brad have taken up: bird watching, texting, big-screen TVs, Sunday napping, wireless internet, extracurricular activities, and hosting parties. What’s next? The girls are convinced a dishwasher will adorn the kitchen to replace the three they lost.
E	nriching the minds of students has been the focus of Maren, Christy, and Katie’s work. Maren continues to use her gifts as an educator teaching and loving her first grade Hudson students. Christy is in her third year educating college students in a variety of ways through mentoring, supervising, discipling, and loving over one hundred women as a Residence Director. Katie is teaching her first class of students in Fridley, MN and loving the challenges and joys of teaching a lower income and culturally diverse second grade class.
R	egardless of the distance that separates us, our family continues to grow closer through the experiences we share together and our love for one another. Although our hearts miss seeing each other frequently, our support for one another’s life ventures keeps our relationships strong – love crosses all distances.
S	o, as we bring 2011 to a close, we are reminded of the incredible God we serve… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17.

 

Merry Christmas!!

Love – The Coulter Family

 

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~ by Christy Coulter on December 26, 2011.