Hewitt Update 12/24/2018
December 24, 2018
Merry Christmas!
Life is often referred to as a journey, and we can certainly vouch for that! I am writing from Ypsilanti, Michigan, our new home since late July! 2018 has been a whirlwind of activity for us. Retirement from full time church ministry has offered us many new found freedoms. Desiring to live near at least one of our children and their family, we made the decision to move to Michigan! Our oldest daughter and her family (5 grandchildren) live here in Ypsilanti. I have to say that it was a very good move and we are totally enjoying the experience of adult child parenting and grand parenting more up-close! The only thing that would be better is if we could have lived near all of our children and grandchildren, but alas, with our culture being as it is, and our four children living in three states and one foreign country, that was simply not to be.
Although mostly positive, I have to say that such a major move has been an emotional struggle for us at times! Due to the housing shortage here in Michigan, by March we had pretty much given up hope of finding something. In fact, we were so frustrated that we ran away for a month with our camper, taking the southern route to California, visiting with several sets of friends along the way and a cousin in California. Tim even got to preach in a church in Oceanside, CA! It was such a memorable trip! When we returned, we felt refreshed and ready to tackle all that was involved in figuring it all out. To our surprise, a house became available in mid-May and we were able to purchase it with relative ease. We had already made several commitments for June and July which we really wanted to keep. Thus, cousin camp, a mission’s trip with New Hope Baptist Church for hurricane relief in south Texas and a long anticipated vacation with our youngest son and family to Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado kept us hopping before the big moving days!
It seems that we are constantly on the road, for family functions, programs and visits to Tim’s mom. On December 8th, Tim’s mom went to be with the Lord. Wanita was 92 and in very fragile health. There were many close calls this year, with hospital and rehab stays. Between those events, she was still living in her apartment, which is attached to Tim’s sister’s house. She was even able to come to our early family Thanksgiving celebration on November 17th. Tim’s sister and brother-in-law were awesome in the care and attention that they gave her!
We were able to continue to be actively involved in the Barnabas Enrichment Ministries throughout the year. After months of preparation, on November 9th & 10th we participated in hosting a Small Church Encouragement Conference in Kokomo, Indiana. (See our web site at www.barnabasenrichmentministries.org.) The feedback that we have received indicates that it was a blessing to the many pastors who attended. We plan to be helping a church in Utah this March and then another church in Alaska for August and September. Tim has also been able to preach at the senior’s meetings at our new church in Milan, MI. Along with all of our family events and the time required for teaching and preaching preparation, I think that will pretty much fill our time for 2019. (Oh yes, did I mention that we will be going to Thailand to visit our oldest son and family in April?) In October, we were blessed and grateful to have New Hope Baptist Church in Gas City, IN commission us and become our sending church for our work with BEM.
Once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS! We believe that Faith in Christ is truly a blessing and a gift as well!! We wish that gift for you and pray that our Heavenly Father will draw you to Himself this Christmas season, revealing His love for you and His design for your life, giving you His hope and peace amidst a culture that offers so much conflict and hopelessness.
Love, Hugs & Blessings,
Tim & Sandy
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