Dear Friends & Family,
2019 brought big changes for our family. We traded snow shovels for umbrellas when Troy accepted the Senior Pastor position at Evangelical Bible Church in Dallas, Oregon. Dallas is a small town of approximately 16,000 people, located about 20 minutes west of Salem. We moved in August and our family is adjusting well. Utah was home to us for 11.5 years and we dearly miss our friends, church, and school, but we love being a part of this community. Hometown football games, bumping into someone we know wherever we go, and spending time at the local swimming hole are just some of the incredible blessings of small town living. We bought a home close to the boys’ schools and less than two miles from the church. Our congregation has welcomed us with open arms and hearts and we are excited to partner with them in ministry.
Troy is busy learning the ropes at EBC. It’s been a great start to what he hopes will be a long and productive ministry. He is enrolled in a doctorate of ministry program at Corban University. Troy is enjoying getting to know the people at our new church and supporting our boys in all they do. He is embracing the gray skies and endless green of the Pacific Northwest, but is happy when the sun makes an appearance for his wife.
Lori was sad to leave her teaching position at Falcon Ridge Elementary. Currently, she stays home with Will but is excited to begin teaching drama one day a week at a local community school in January. Lori is co-directing the Christmas play, singing and playing guitar with the worship team, and participating in Bible study. Lori keeps herself busy raising a house full of boys. She enjoyed the uncharacteristically sunny Oregon fall.
Garrett finished elementary school in Utah. He made the baseball All-Star team and was cast in the lead role in his class Shakespeare play. In Dallas, he played football on the 7th grade team and is looking forward to baseball season. He earned straight As and enjoys middle school. He is playing Daniel, one of the leads, in the church Christmas musical. Garrett loves learning how to play the trombone, being a part of EBC’s youth group, and S’mores frosts from Dutch Bros. For now, he wants to be an Army Ranger when he grows up.
Matthew finished 4th grade with straight As. He played baseball last spring and had an incredible fall soccer season. He plans to play soccer again in the spring. His new school only gives semester report cards but he’s doing well and really enjoys all things science. He likes going to AWANA which is held at our church. Matthew is hoping to take some drama classes in Salem next year. He is playing Luther, a lead, in the church musical. Currently, Matt wants to be an actor when he grows up and is saving his money for a trip to New York.
Last spring, while still only 2, Will played his first season of tee ball. He loved it and is hoping to be able to play a sport in the spring. Our coordinated boy learned how to ride a two-wheeler right after turning 3. Will attends Grace Christian Preschool two days a week. He participates in AWANA and does a great job memorizing his verses. He enjoys playing at the park, going on walks, riding his scooter, and doing everything his brothers are doing. He still has endless energy. When he grows up, Will wants to be a police officer.
Summer was a time for baseball, pool trips, and soaking up as much time as we could with our Utah friends. We vacationed in San Diego in July. Garrett brought his best friend of ten years with him. We had a blast watching the Padres play and visiting Sea World, the beach, and the zoo. It was a special time with family.
In August, Lori’s parents flew to Utah to help us move. Our Sonrise family worked tirelessly to get our house clean and load our moving truck. Once our house closed in Dallas, our new EBC family was there to help us unload. We are so thankful for the many hands who partnered in our move, the many friends who prayed for us, and the churches who so graciously give us the opportunity to be in vocational ministry. We hope this letter finds you resting in the peace of this season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
2019 brought big changes for our family. We traded snow shovels for umbrellas when Troy accepted the Senior Pastor position at Evangelical Bible Church in Dallas, Oregon. Dallas is a small town of approximately 16,000 people, located about 20 minutes west of Salem. We moved in August and our family is adjusting well. Utah was home to us for 11.5 years and we dearly miss our friends, church, and school, but we love being a part of this community. Hometown football games, bumping into someone we know wherever we go, and spending time at the local swimming hole are just some of the incredible blessings of small town living. We bought a home close to the boys’ schools and less than two miles from the church. Our congregation has welcomed us with open arms and hearts and we are excited to partner with them in ministry.
Troy is busy learning the ropes at EBC. It’s been a great start to what he hopes will be a long and productive ministry. He is enrolled in a doctorate of ministry program at Corban University. Troy is enjoying getting to know the people at our new church and supporting our boys in all they do. He is embracing the gray skies and endless green of the Pacific Northwest, but is happy when the sun makes an appearance for his wife.
Lori was sad to leave her teaching position at Falcon Ridge Elementary. Currently, she stays home with Will but is excited to begin teaching drama one day a week at a local community school in January. Lori is co-directing the Christmas play, singing and playing guitar with the worship team, and participating in Bible study. Lori keeps herself busy raising a house full of boys. She enjoyed the uncharacteristically sunny Oregon fall.
Garrett finished elementary school in Utah. He made the baseball All-Star team and was cast in the lead role in his class Shakespeare play. In Dallas, he played football on the 7th grade team and is looking forward to baseball season. He earned straight As and enjoys middle school. He is playing Daniel, one of the leads, in the church Christmas musical. Garrett loves learning how to play the trombone, being a part of EBC’s youth group, and S’mores frosts from Dutch Bros. For now, he wants to be an Army Ranger when he grows up.
Matthew finished 4th grade with straight As. He played baseball last spring and had an incredible fall soccer season. He plans to play soccer again in the spring. His new school only gives semester report cards but he’s doing well and really enjoys all things science. He likes going to AWANA which is held at our church. Matthew is hoping to take some drama classes in Salem next year. He is playing Luther, a lead, in the church musical. Currently, Matt wants to be an actor when he grows up and is saving his money for a trip to New York.
Last spring, while still only 2, Will played his first season of tee ball. He loved it and is hoping to be able to play a sport in the spring. Our coordinated boy learned how to ride a two-wheeler right after turning 3. Will attends Grace Christian Preschool two days a week. He participates in AWANA and does a great job memorizing his verses. He enjoys playing at the park, going on walks, riding his scooter, and doing everything his brothers are doing. He still has endless energy. When he grows up, Will wants to be a police officer.
Summer was a time for baseball, pool trips, and soaking up as much time as we could with our Utah friends. We vacationed in San Diego in July. Garrett brought his best friend of ten years with him. We had a blast watching the Padres play and visiting Sea World, the beach, and the zoo. It was a special time with family.
In August, Lori’s parents flew to Utah to help us move. Our Sonrise family worked tirelessly to get our house clean and load our moving truck. Once our house closed in Dallas, our new EBC family was there to help us unload. We are so thankful for the many hands who partnered in our move, the many friends who prayed for us, and the churches who so graciously give us the opportunity to be in vocational ministry. We hope this letter finds you resting in the peace of this season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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