Merry Christmas from the Olson family!

What a year 2007 has been! In moving from NorCal to SoCal, our family experienced lots of change this year. These times of transition brought many challenges but it was a year FULL of experiencing God’s patient guidance and faithful provision. We have been greatly blessed by all that the Lord has done and for that we are very thankful!

Year In Review
Although most of you are already familiar with what we are doing now, here’s a quick recap of the year. In order for me (Derek) to begin taking classes in the Master of Divinity program at Talbot School of Theology (part of Biola University in La Mirada, CA), we moved from Santa Cruz to SoCal in January. Amy’s sister and her family graciously allowed us to live with them for a few months during the transition, the first of many blessings that God provided for us via the support of family and friends. We were able to move in to our own place, a comfy 2-bedroom townhouse-style apartment in Cypress, on June 1st.

Derek
On July 1st, I began serving as the Pastor to Young Adults at Granada Heights Friends Church (also in La Mirada). In addition to being a student and serving at church part-time, I have also been working part-time in an administrative role in the Talbot Dean’s office. That temporary position, which was supposed to last from February through May, will actually continue providing needed income through January or possibly even February. Seminary classes have been challenging and very rewarding. I just finished his first semester of learning Greek and really enjoyed it.

Amy
As if being a full-time, stay-home mommy isn’t a big-enough job, Amy stays extra busy with all the things she is involved in… MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) at church, a women’s Bible study, and a leadership role (planning events for moms and kids) for the Talbot Wives Fellowship group that she participates in. Plus, she's a great partner in ministry to the young adults at church! For the second year in a row, she sold all her hand-made items at some holiday season boutiques and did very well. Check out her purses and other hand-made items at sewonandsewforth.blogspot.com Also, you can read about her recent boutiques here, here and here. The whole family is enjoying living closer to Amy’s side of the family.

Kaylin
Kaylin turned four in October! She enjoys going to her classes at church throughout the week while mommy goes to MOPS, Bible study, etc. Since we are fortunate to be part of a great church family/community, including some other young families like us, Kaylin is making many new friends. She loves keeping busy doing various crafts and “homeschool pre-school” activities at home with mom. She is a really great big sister, always helping mommy and entertaining Trevor. They sleep in the same room so it’s pretty classic to listen to them “talk” and laugh together before going to sleep at night! =)



Trevor
T.J. is 20 months old and is beginning to say lots of words. He is a very active, energetic and rough-and-tumble boy! He is still obsessed with basketball and now with watching Barney (much to my dismay =).

For more about Kaylin and TJ, just bookmark our blog and check back regularly! Let's face it... this blog is mostly about our kids! =)



"Nicknames" of Jesus
We visited Community Covenant Church in Scotts Valley yesterday and Pastor Mike FitzGerald's sermon text was the story of Christ's birth in the Gospel according to Matthew, which includes this verse:

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." - Matthew 1:23

In explaining that verse, Pastor Mike described the name Immanuel as a "theological nickname" because it describes the incredible significance of God sending his Son Jesus to live among us. What an amazing thing that we have a God who is not distant and uncaring, but rather so loving and caring that Jesus came to be our "God with us."

The name he was given on Earth, Jesus, means "God saves." That name is a simple but great description of His mission, to provide for us a means to access life with God both now and forever!

Below are some more "nicknames" that the prophet Isaiah used to describe the coming Messiah... they give us more insight to the character of Jesus:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With love,
The Olsons - Derek, Amy, Kaylin & Trevor



LINK: View the rest of our blog at olsonweb.blogspot.com

NOTE: All these pictures were taken by Sam Carrigan, a photographer & friend from church... we love all the great pics we got!