Christmas Letter 2015

Before we get too far into this new year, here's just my little wrap up of 2015... (aka our Christmas card and letter; sorry if you didn't get a hard copy!)

Dear Family and Friends,

This has most defintely been a year of high's and low's. There is little else which makes life more real than the birth of a precious child or the death of a dear, loved one.

On January 5 of this year, Matthew and I welcomed Sullivan James Brooks to our family. He weighed a healthy 8 pounds. Only the Lord Jesus knew then how much we would need our little Sully this year. He is now 11 months old and FULLY loved by his older brothers and sisters. Philip is 10 years old and enjoys everything related to STAR WARS. Braewyn is 8 years old and is our super crafty girl. Juliet is 4 years old and enjoys wearing dresses everyday! Rylan is 2 years old and says the most adorable things. Anything new or exciting is followed by “How 'bout that?!”

Kim is thankful to be homeschooling our children again this year and learning along with them more wonders of God's creation. This year at Brooks Academy, we have studied the Roman Empire and the human body. In May of this year, Matthew

celebrated his 17^th year of working for QS/1 Data Systems. He also is a teacher on Sundays as he co-teaches the high school boys' class at our church.

Life changed drastically for us in June when Kim's Dad, Rich, passed away after spending two weeks in the Neuro ICU. We miss our Dad and Papa terribly. Kim's mom, Patty, is slowing adjusting and grieving for her own father as well who passed away just 5 days after her husband. We try to comfort her by letting the older three children take turns spending the night with Nana. Losing someone that close makes mortality a reality and not much is taken for granted anymore.

Because none of us know what each day will bring, we are thankful for Jesus who came to earth as a baby to bring hope. He wants to tell you this year, “I Love You.” One day, possibly soon, He will come again to earth to rule as King. We know Rich has met Jesus but not because of how great a man he was. Rich lived a life of faith based on beliefs which he did not create, but which he found in reading the Bible, God's Holy Word.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes

in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ

for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—

for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:38-39

“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep (died) in Him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

We wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas season and a blessed 2016! You can keep up with what we are doing by checking our family blog. (When Kim has a chance to update it from time to time!) www.philipandfamily.blogspot.com

With love,

Matthew, Kim, Philip, Braewyn,

Juliet, Rylan, and Sully Brooks