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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

Sherry and I are in Edinburg, TX with Nick, Rebekah and Zoe, counting down the hours to 2012. I wanted to send you one last communiqué as the clock winds down on 2011, and the ball drops on 2012. We are also doing another kind of countdown - waiting for the birth of Rebekah's baby! It is looking like little Liam will be born in 2012.

We drove to Houston yesterday to see my sister, Pam, who is under the care of M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Hospital. We had a good visit with Pam and Eric last evening and again this morning. John and his wife, Anne, and their children got to see Pam this morning and I could tell it encouraged and renewed her. After visiting and praying with Pam and Eric, we drove from Houston back to Edinburg, about a 5 hour drive.

Please pray for Pam. She is in a phase one clinical trial with a new medication to combat her cancer. She is extremely weak and needs to eat and drink to regain her strength and continue fighting this disease. I am praying continually, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven".

As we close the chapter on 2011 and open a new one, I wanted to try and express our gratitude for you and the many ways you have blessed our lives this past year. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your partnership in the work of our Lord. Thank you for sharing your lives, your gifts, and your hearts with us. You are a rare find, a true treasure. We esteem you highly and value our relationship with you beyond our ability to describe. Your commitment to follow Jesus inspires us!

Tomorrow, January 1st, Rob McCallum, will do the teaching at Conejo Church. His message will be "The fruit of forgiveness". I just read his outline and a few of the insights he will share tomorrow. You will be abundantly blessed by this powerful truth. Lord, anoint your servant, and the ears of those who hear.

Next Sunday, January 8th, I will bring the second message in this two-week series on "Forgiveness".

One last word: Happy New Year.

May the quietness, confidence and joy of our Lord be your strength in 2012!

In His grip of grace,

Rex