BASHOOR'S 2021 CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER
Year in Reverse
DECEMBER & FALL
This year is ending with a blur of activity, as yours probably is, too. At Community Bible Church, we've had a Christmas concert, a Christmas musical by the youth, a Christmas dinner, and a Christmas Eve service to come! Our whole family was involved in the concert, and Rebekah and Hannah participated in the musical.
The girls' musical instruction association, Orange Coast Musical Arts (OCMA), hosted numerous concerts in which they were a part, including the Seal Beach Christmas Parade (for marching band), an orchestra concert (for Rebekah), and symphonic band (for both). We're very proud to see them grow in their musicianship and to be using their gifts to God's glory.
Another joy this season has been growth at our church. Over a dozen people have expressed in membership and are in the process of joining.
After Christmas we'll spend a few nights in the Central Coast, around San Luis Obispo--one of our favorite getaways. At the end of the year, Rebekah will turn 12--one last year of pre-tween life.
What a busy Fall it was. In September another round of classes began for everyone. Scott began teaching his 17th year of courses for The Master's Seminary as well as another round of online classes for The Master's University. Heidi began teaching another semester with our weekly homeschool co-op, Classical Conversations, and music lessons at OCMA. In reality, homeschooling goes on all the time, not just on co-op and music class days. The girls are doing well in their studies. Both are growing more proficient in creative writing as well as math, history, and the like.
Our extended families faced some challenges this Fall. Heidi's dad suffered a broken back early in the Fall, and Heidi and some of her siblings took turns caring for him and their mom while he recovered. God gave everyone grace during a couple months of being stretched. Fortunately, he's improved somewhat though there are still challenges to face. In December, Scott's mom began having some heart conditions that resulted in her being hospitalized for a couple weeks. She's currently in a rehab center regaining her strength, and she may be there for the holidays. Scott's very glad for his brother, Marc, and for family friends who are local and able to check on things and care for her needs.
In October, our church hosted a FunFair outreach event for local kids, and we got to meet a number of new families in our neighborhood. Scott coordinated the event but went down with a cold a couple days before. Everyone pulled together and the Lord gave us one of the most fruitful outreach events of the year.
At home we started having "open house" on select Thursday nights, inviting friends from the neighborhood and church to us for a light dinner (soups, salads, etc.) and a little singing.
Around Thanksgiving Hannah turned 10, and we celebrated with a horse-themed party.
SUMMER
In August we flew to Florida to visit Scott's mom. It was great to stay with her for several days, and to spend time with other family members. Afterwards we spent a couple days in Orlando and Coco Beach.
In July we held at VBS at church, bringing together of wonderful team of volunteers and good gospel ministry. Unfortunately, we had an unwanted intruder--COVID. A number of kids and adults contracted it. Fortunately, everyone came through it OK, and church got back on track with regular meetings after a couple weeks. In our home Heidi contracted it, but Scott and the kids kept testing negative and showed no signs. Heidi's case was relatively mild, but it certainly packed a punch, even with vaccination.
SPRING
These months were busy with school for everyone. Scott was given a partial sabbatical at church and for the first time in a long time was able to make some progress on his PhD studies. He presented his first colloquium to the faculty (a defense of his topic), and they approved his project. It will be important to make steady progress over the next few years.
Near the end of Spring, Scott's colleague at church, Pastor Ed, suffered a heart attack, apparently brought on by shingles. In God's time, Scott had just finished his sabbatical and we more free to pick up some of the slack in the teaching ministry that he and Pastor Ed share. We rejoice that Ed is doing very well and most related complications have dissipated.
WINTER
The year began with contractors finally completed the repairs to our home related to a plumbing failure in June 2020. It was a great ordeal, but the Lord brought us through it. The last repairs related to damage incurred during previous repairs. We're thankful our insurance company and the contractors were agreeable with what needed to be done.
We continue to be so thankful for our (first) home, and we're blessed by good and growing relationships with our neighbors.
In March Scott and Heidi celebrated 13 years of marriage.
We'd love to hear from you and how God has blessed and helped you this year.
Merry Christmas,
Scott, Heidi, Rebekah, and Hannah
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