Fruitbearers

We are thankful for another year of God's faithfulness & favor and are excitedly looking forward to what He has in store for us in 2016! 1. Josiah did well on his SAT exam. He also received a letter of commendation from National Merit Scholarship Program for outstanding performance on the PSAT test taken last year. 2. Isaiah raised $2,130 for Steps for Life this year. 3. Alyssa received 3 awards at Dining Out (an annual AFROTC event celebrating cadets' achievement): Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction Award, American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award, and Reserve Officers Association (ROA) Award.      4. Alyssa completed her AFROTC summer field training.   5. In June, I had a retinal tear in my left eye and received a laser treatment for it. I am very thankful for the gift of seeing. 6. Alyssa did a freelance videography for 2 weddings and 1 dance event. 7. We had a wonderful vacation in Port Orford. Kayaking. Hiking in the Fern Canyon (in CA). Visiting bea

Tired of the Christmas shopping, the baking and sugar overload, the Christmas festivities that keep you away from your family during the season? Take time special time to spend with your loved ones and invest in your community—with Focus on the Family's help! You can download a fun gift to give to your friends, family, and community! Each Christmas stocking stuffer card directs you to a special place to hear an Adventures in Odyssey Christmas episode. Plus, you’ll be able to read a special excerpt from Imagination Station #12, “Danger on a Silent Night.” Sign up here to download the free cards. Plus stop by this page for a slew of crafts, recipes, and stories to share with your family during this special time of year!   If you're still looking for one last gift to give your kids this year, give the gift of the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC). It offers safe and free content for everyone in your family, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips t

The holidays are a busy time . . . but life can be even more hectic! In the midst of work, after-school activities, grocery shopping, and business trips, how are parents supposed to find the time to build within their families a lasting foundation of faith? Focus on the Family wants to step in and give you some tips. Sign up by clicking here for a free e-book called  101 Surefire Ways to Strengthen Your Child's Faith . With creative ideas on weaving faith into everyday conversations, turning family activities into learning opportunities, and having faith-filled holiday celebrations, this book is jam-packed with fun and interesting, easy, faith-building ideas for your family. Another way to invest in your child's faith is through the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC). It offers safe and free content for everyone in your family, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts, and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Member

Clear your schedules January 21–22, 2016, because Focus on the Family and The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission will host Evangelicals for Life , a major pro-life conference held in conjunction with the March for Life event. The event will take place in Washington, D.C., at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Evangelicals from across the country will gather to hear from leading speakers, such as David Platt, Russell Moore, Jim Daly, Kelly Rosati, and others—to be equipped and encouraged to become a voice for life! The event will also be simulcast for FREE so individuals, churches, and organizations from coast-to-coast and around the world can take part. Speakers will encourage evangelicals to engage the culture on issues of abortion and end-of-life decisions, and the event will affirm the evangelical belief in the sanctity of life, that every life matters to God and is created in His image. For more information, visit http://evangelicals.life/ . Readers

Holiday to-do lists often become longer and longer as we get closer to Christmas. From holiday parties to host, Christmas pajamas to coordinate, family pictures, gifts to buy, travel plans to finalize, and more, the joy of the season can often be lost in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Adventures in Odyssey and Odyssey Adventure Club have you covered. Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer, authors of Everyday Confetti , share ideas and tips for simplifying and taking the stress out of the holidays. Pointing to the real reason for the season, they offer ideas to help you keep Christ at the center. Click here for a free broadcast download to learn how to simplify and de-stress your holiday season. Speaking of de-stressing, let me help you out with your last-minute gift shopping. One of my top recommendations: the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC) because it offers free content for everyone, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, A