Farnsworth Forum

In grand Latin American style we celebrated Three Kings Day on January 6 with the traditional rosca de reyes. It is the day that tradition says that the kings arrived to worship the boy Jesus, so we sang "We Three Kings" complete with recorder accompaniment provided by Elías. . . . . . .and Jacob. Then Morgan and Amelia opened their small gifts to remember the gifts that the kings took to Jesus. Joel also opened his present. Elías received a Matchbox car.  So did Jacob (not pictured). I read the story of the fourth wise man.  Of course, the Bible does not tell us the number.  The number three was arrived at because of the three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrhh.  Nor do we know if they were kings.  The Bible calls them wise men.  But we can join in celebrating the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Our last communication to our friends and supporters in 2014.   Merry Christmas, friends!!! This will be my last Christmas before a half century catches up with me, and I wanted to take a few moments for self-reflection. First of all, I give thank God for the unspeakable gift of salvation.   He saved me and uses me in spite of myself.   I thank my parents for the Christian legacy they gave me and continue to give me.   They continue to serve God and their church faithfully after all these years.   Many people have come and gone through Exeter Bible Church, and they have persevered and stood strong as pillars of the church. On July 7, 2002, God blessed my life beyond measure through the gift of my wife, Ruth Marisol Bedoya Palacios de Farnsworth (yes, that is her full name in Ecuador!), who challenges me and admonishes me to grow personally and spiritually.   At times this process is painful and challenging, but quite necessary in my life, for the glory of God.  

We really had a lovely day, beginning with Jacob and Elías' admiration of the Christmas tree and presents. Guess who enjoyed the plastic sword Joel gave him? He really liked it!!!! Do you see what I see? Joel and Amelia opened their presents, also with glee. Amelia gave me a new Christmas mug to replace the one that broke. Marisol also smiled for the roving reporter. Jacob with his Magna Doodle. Elías also received one. Amelia was "FROZEN" again! Then it was making shish kabobs on the grill for lunch. The cook, hard at work! Yummy and yummy, complete with grilled ripe cooking bananas. Enjoying a moment in the back yard, to keep an eye on the grill. Later we enjoyed an applesauce cake to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We even sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Now it is time to start taking the decorations down until later this year.

On the morning of December 24, the children opened their fnal Christmas bag. This time it was the case for the doctor kit. Then we made some more Christmas cookies. . . I carved the turkey. . . . . .while Elías and Jacob waited patiently. Abuelito, Amelia and Zoe also waited patiently. And Joel and Morgan. The food was well worth waiting for.  Yum! Elías and Jacob enjoyed the food very much. Antonito chomped on a turkey bone. Then the time arrived for opening the gifts. Cloe in fancy party dress. "Look at our new cars!!" Morgan also received some presents on her first Christmas away from PA. Joel modeled his new shirt while Cloe looked on. It is always great fun to spend Christmas with Marisol's family.