October 2014
Christmas 2014
I am so sorry that I have not had the time to post an update. For now, I thought I would post the Christmas letter my husband wrote. We have truly been blessed during this journey of following our Lord's lead and surrendering it all to Him. Be blessed and trust in Him with everything--yes, everything!
To our beloved
friends, family, and brothers and sisters in Christ,
In this, what has
become an annual American tradition (with one estimate noting that over 70
million households write an annual letter), I would like to express a hearty
and sincere Merry Christmas to you all. This year has been blessed in the
Moody household although that does not mean that it has been positive or easy,
in a worldly aspect. We are guided in all our endeavors by the words of
Paul in Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will
of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect and Colossians
3:23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for
men. We know that our purpose here is for the glorification and
service of our Lord, and that no matter what happens it is for His glory, our
reproach, and the furtherance of His glory and plan.
Keira and I
celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this year and spent a great deal of time
reminiscing about spending time with many of you at that time and over the
years. In May, by the grace of God, we were able to buy a small ranch
house on 1.67 acres. We are so thankful for the space, simplicity, and
opportunity to raise our boys surrounded by animals and soon, hopefully, a nice
garden.
I am still teaching
American government and US history at a local high school, going into my 18th year in
education. I long to pursue the path I believe the Lord has laid out for
me in ministry or some sort of direct service of our Lord outside of the
secular school system. I don’t know what is in store for us, but I look
forward to finding out. I will soon be teaching government, once per
week, at a local homeschool club (Quest) that offers many classes, including
college prep classes, and continue, with Keira, to be on the leadership team of
the homeschool co-op at our church. I hope to finish my book in the next
few months and begin looking for publishers. It was a blessing that when
my laptop was erased in the last week, my manuscript was saved. Between
work, service at church, writing, this new Quest government class, and keeping up
with the rest of the family, I keep busy.
Keira serves on the
leadership team of the co-op with me, teaches an entrepreneur class for the
co-op, helps teach a science class for a group of homeschool kids, and
continues to love teaching the boys at home. She recently began selling
Norwex products, cleaning a few homes per week, and remains active in our
church. We are very thankful that she makes our house a home, making
nutritious meals, keeping us all healthy, and managing our busy schedules. I must say that I am blessed to have
her in my life. She makes me want to be a better person.
Collier is
excelling. He is in the middle of his "junior" year, working to
complete high school a year early, and is taking classes at our homeschool
co-op, a Quest physics class and just finished his first 5-credit college
class, Calculus 1, at Pima Community College. He will take the other half
of the course this summer after wrapping up some English credits. Collier
continues to excel in music, playing at three services a week at church with
both his clarinet and electric guitar. He is a pleasure to listen
to. Two months ago, we took a campus tour at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University in Prescott, and Collier has made it his goal to be accepted there,
already choosing his major: Aeronautical Engineering with a minor in
“everything else.” Since summer, Collier has been practicing driving and should
be getting his license within the next month or two.
William is an 8th
grader and just promoted to Staff Sergeant in his Civil Air Patrol squadron and
is now the ranking cadet member. He continues to excel in homeschool,
taking sophomore math among many other classes and loves watching and reading
about anything historical. This past semester he took a quilting class
and loved it. Just a few months
ago, he was elected president to a youth civics club, Liberty GenJ of Southern
Arizona. Along with his club members, he is involved in community service,
learning about our founding fathers, and staying politically aware. Next year
he is looking forward to playing football and is still looking to go to West
Point, or at the very least go R.O.T.C. at Arizona and go to Ranger school.
Evan, our 5th grader,
has found his passion. After taking a couple drama classes and most
recently a puppet theatre class, Evan has started focusing his incredible
energy on acting and directing. Being on stage seems to be a gift of his.
He even directed a play at our homeschool co-op… that he wrote! This summer he
went with Keira to Sweden and, in addition to visiting family and friends and
experiencing a new culture, Keira's mom engaged Evan in a film class she
prepared drawing from her experience working on 7 films. Evan, like his
brothers, is excelling at math, and has expressed an interest in music. He really
wants to play the piano, so we are hoping to have him start taking lessons
soon. Also, he loves riding horses and, God willing, hopes to be able to get
more involved in rodeo sports one day.
All the boys are
progressing tremendously in school, loving learning, and doing so in an
environment immersed in the Lord through co-op classes, P.E., activities at
church and work at home. This includes taking care of our 16 chickens and
a rooster, Sam (our long time American bulldog), and our most recent addition,
Lizzy, a little collie-Lab mix who confirms my theory that dogs can have ADHD.
We are looking
forward to the next semester and what the Lord will do with our lives. In
the forefront of our minds is a repeat of our church’s missions trip to
Mexicali for a week in March. Last year, Keira and the boys went down,
with an amazing group, and were able to minister to dozens. This next
year I get the pleasure of going with them as my schedule now allows it.
I look forward to the experience, as I know they do. However, it is
expensive. If you feel led to help us with this expense, please give as
you are led. Otherwise, please pray for the trip’s success.
We continue to keep
you all in our thoughts and prayers, and pray that you are blessed this
Christmas season.
In His service,
Ed, Keira, Collier
(15), William (13), Evan (10), Sam, and Lizzy
