Happy New Year from Gene & Diana Edwards

Dear Family and Friends,

We pray you had a blessed Christmas. We are sorry we did not get our letter to you last year. It was a very different year as our son-in-law, Mark, was assigned to Camp Humphreys, South Korea following a back injury in Iraq and surgery. As a result, our daughter, Lynnie, and children spent a few weeks with us through the holidays until she could join him. At about the same time my Mother needed nursing home care, Gene's Mother had lost her memory, and my Father has had some low blood and platelet counts which requires medical care weekly. So, are you ready to hear updates from our family?

We celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary September 13th. Our daughters planned a surprise party at our Church Labor Day weekend Sunday night. We had a blast! They arranged for us to see and talk with our children and grandchildren in Korea by way of Skype. everyone in attendance was able to see and hear as they appeared on the big screens in the auditorium. It was a very special, but emotional time. Had we not just made a trip to Korea in August (that allowed us to spend 16 days visiting and loving on our family)I am afraid it would have been more emotional.

While in Korea we enjoyed many special experiences. The following are jsut a few: We toured the Seoul Tower - Worshiped in the largest evangelical church in the world (located in Seoul) - Went to the DMZ, hiked down a long tunnel and looked through a window in to North Korea (frightening) - We toured a Buddhist temple - Lynnie treated us to "Dr. Fish" (little fish suck the dead cells off your feet as you soak them in the water...even got Gene to do this) - Diana had her first pedicure - We went to the street market where people sell their goods very cheap - We certainly enjoyed the delicious Korean food - Attended a Korean Major League Baseball game - Some of our most precious times were spent playing games with Miles, age 11, and Carissa who is 8 - We were blessed as we worshiped at the Chapel on post where Mark preaches - The day we left to return home Lynnie was going for orientation to teach at the school on base. Of course leaving was difficult and the 17 hour flight tried Gene's patience. It was truly a trip of a life time for us. The kids plan to come home this summer. YEAH! It will be over a year since Lorrie and her family has seen them.

Speaking of Lorrie and Greg and their family...They made a move to Harvard Avenue Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, AR. Greg is Worship Pastor and Lorrie plays the piano. Lorrie has been employed by John Brown University where she is an accompanist to the music department. I got to go see the OPERA she accompanied. It was AWESOME! She played 136 pages of music and there were seven performances. Hannah, who is 12, helps babysit her sisters, Chloe 5 and Ruth 3. We will be going to their home for Christmas. (Please join us in praying that their home in Rogers sells.) Pray for Greg as he leaves 2 days after Christmas to go on a mission trip to the Holy Land. Lorrie and the kids will come spend some time with us. This will be our first year ever for no presents opened in our home. we all sent Christmas boxes to Lynnie's family. They are going to Thailand for Christmas where it's in the 90's for a beach Christmas. We are happy the are doing something different as it will be the first Christmas we are apart. Join us in thanking God for all the military personnel that serve our country all over the world.

Gene and I both killed a deer this season. I got a 7 point and Gene got a 4 point. (Actually, Gene got two - he got one with his bow earlier) We butcher and process our own deer. Black powder season is open and we plan to get another 1 or 2. We bought a membership to play golf this year, but Gene got down in his back and I broke my thumb moving a little of the earth on the fairway. Better luck in 2010. We sold a truck, camping trailer and now sold our Jeep. We bought another truck and hope to get back to camping in the woods and hanging out in Branson. We enjoy Silver Dollar City and Treasure Lake Resort. We are praying that God will open up some opportunities for us to lead in more Revivals. Gene loves to preach the Gospel. I am with our Missouri Baptists Evangelists and travel to lead Women's Conferences, Mother Daughter Banquets and Concerts. I would like to make a new recording.

Our Church continues to grow, praise God. Both worship services are full. We intend to build a new education building in order to have more Sunday School classrooms. Diana still serves as the Director of our Singles Ministry. She stays busy listening to them and helping them through everyday challenges. Our Association of Churches has linked with Southern Ontario Canada. It is our prayer that members from our church will be able to make a mission trip with the purpose of helping to start new churches.

Diana is a Consultant with ARBONNE health and beauty products that are all natural and work. Call me at 417-926-5612 or go online and look at Arbonne.com. I can help you look and feel better. Aren't we all interested in preventing cancer? There are too many products to list. This will be my business and I could help you get your own business. You can't be fired or laid off when you are the boss. I feel so much better.

I am so thankful for cell phones and email. If you do Facebook, find me under Diana Rose Edwards and let's stay in touch. (Gene uses my account)

At this time both our Mother's are in the same Nursing Home. Their addresses are below. Please let them hear from you. It means a whole lot.

Buddy (our spoiled wiener dog) still goes everywhere with us. He has won 2 Talent Shows singing (howling).

Well that's the short version. Thanks for listening!! May God grant you the desire of your heart. Never give up on your dreams and goals. There's nothing too big for our God. Praise HIM! If we can ever be of help through prayer or encouragement, please give us a call. We love you and are proud to call you family and friends!

Love,

Gene, Diana, and "Buddy"

First Baptist Church, 807 East 17th Street, Mountain Grove, MO 65711 417-926-6208

*addresses

Daystar Care Center
Doris Rose, Room 103
2001 Cedar Street
Cairo, Illinois 62914

Daystar Care Center
Rose Edwards, Room 222
2001 Cedar Street
Cairo, Illinois 62914

Gene & Diana Edwards
P.O. Box 421
Mountain Grove, MO 65711

Greg & Lorrie Dixon
Hannah, Chloe, & Ruth
907 Hunter Ridge
Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761

CPT. Stephen M. Richardson
Lynnie, Miles, & Carissa
HHC 194th CSSB
Unit #15215
APO AP 96271-5215