Christmas Letter 2011

In keeping with our new tradition of spending less and giving more at Christmas time, I am once again foregoing a Christmas card and letter.  As I receive your cards in the mail, I struggle with this sacrifice.  I want to send you a darling picture of our family with an enclosed letter updating you on all the Bangsund bizz.  Then I remember that my children most often produce pictures like this one...

...and I am once more convinced that digital is the way for our family to go.  Who wants to hang that on their fridge?  :-)

All joking aside, 2011 has been a year filled with blessings,  challenges, and growth for the Bangsunds.

Erik continues in his position with Takeda Pharmaceuticals.  He embraces the challenges of selling in an environment controlled by managed "care" companies who care more about the bottom line than patient well-being.  He strives to work at all things with all his heart as though working for the Lord Jesus Christ, not men (Colossians 3:23).  He inspires us with his positive attitude and diligence.  We love the Daddy-Man.  Erik also continues in his role as a Group Leader for the local evening men's Bible Study Fellowship class.  He loves the Word and he loves the men in his group.  It's a huge blessing in his life.

Luke finished off his kindergarten year in June, turned six in August and began first grade in September 2011.  He loves knights, castles, Narnia and occasionally watching Daddy play a Zelda video game (only those rated E and approved by Mommy).  We have seen growth in Luke's ability to handle unmet expectations and disappointment.  We continue to pray that Jesus will grow Luke in his patience and kindness.  (Who doesn't need a little work in these areas?)

Paul turned four in July and started unofficial pre-school in September.  He loves cars, trains, watching the aforementioned Zelda game, and playing anything with his big brother.  Those two are tight.  Paul has conquered the use of all restroom facilities.  I won't go into further detail, but needless to say, we were all overjoyed!  We pray that Jesus will help Paul handle the big emotions of being four and grow Mommy and Daddy and Luke in their patience while we wait for him to turn five.  We love our Paul.

Amy doesn't know where to start.  2011 brought new callings on her life from the Lord Jesus that she simply wasn't expecting.  She continues to homeschool the boys and LOVES it.  She continues to be a leader for BSF, but swapped over to an evening class where she serves as a Children's Leader.  She LOVES it because she gets to teach the Bible and invest in the lives of 6th-9th graders.  And now for the surprise.

In late August, Amy and Erik answered God's call to join the core leadership team of a church plant coming out of their home church, Mosaic.  Their new church family, Roots Community, is filled with young families focused on the life-changing truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The night they met with their new pastor, he asked Amy to pray about accepting a call to be Roots' first children's pastor.  Amy thought, "No way," but said, "I'll pray about it."  Long story short, after heartfelt prayer, God used His Word and fellow believers to make it abundantly clear to her that this was a calling He had placed on her life.  And so, Amy accepted the position and began giving roughly ten hours a week to the work of being a children's pastor.  And...she LOVES it.  :-)

God is so good and faithful.  We pray that all of you are experiencing His life-saving grace and goodness this Christmas.

Love,

Erik, Amy, Luke and Paul

PS - Because MANY of you have asked in your Christmas correspondence to us, YES, we continue to lead the Young Adult BSF Prayer Group with the hopes that God will start a new class here in Portland.  His timing is perfect and His ways are not our own.  We trust Him completely.  :-)