THE
YEAR
BEHIND US

1996: Just as in the days of Noah

The spirit of antichrist permeates our churches, New World Order Forces prepare to invade the United States, the stock market soars, and people cry peace, especially this time of year. Jesus warned of the same "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10: 34). If Jesus said "Think not," what do you suppose people will naturally be tending to think? No, we have not joined a militia. We are, however, beginning to become more aware of the enormous stake of knowing God now, so we may gain eternal life in Him.

Gentle Answer Academy now has a high school student. Brian is taller than his father. He and Andrew began publishing a family newsletter, 'The Sutherland Times'. They began youth league baseball this spring, and are throwing hard. Brian continues his insect net making business and Andrew has begun making our soap. I am especially happy with their progress in Scripture memory.

Lydia joined her two older brothers in piano lessons with a new teacher. She is faithfully reading the Bible, keeping her journal, and corresponding with her penpal in Holland.

Joel and Daniel are having difficulty understanding the word "Quiet." Joel is enjoys counting and has learned to ride his bike. Daniel is an avid card game player and can beat us sometimes.

Robin continues with the bulk of the teaching. She also managed to produce a large braided rug and take on a weekend job recording weather at my workplace. In October I began a three year non-standing faculty position in the Penn State Department of Entomology, working out of the same office at the Fruit Research and Extension Center, with the goal of building up the state-wide tree fruit entomology extension program and seeing the position renewed. I was glad to be able to have Andrew and Brian travel with me to some meetings this winter. We are content for now to continue renting. Robin and I have assumed increased responsibility at church and our home school support group.

We bought new chickens, and so far have had more meat, but less eggs. Andrew did especially well at the South Mountain Fair this year, his cookies winning first place in the Hershey Cocoa Contest. We traveled to Rice Lake in Ontario with Robin's family for a fishing trip 28 June - 3 July. We celebrated Robin's mother's 60th birthday in October and my parent's 40th wedding anniversary over Labor Day weekend with a surprise visit together with the Luckrings and the Bohners. Visitors here included the Gochnours, the Plotts, the Bohners, Robin's mother, and my parents.

This year was unusually wet: in January we dug out of 40 inches of snow and this summer we had several flash floods that practically washed out the middle of our garden. We even had a F1 Tornado go by our house. But these storms are nothing compared to what is coming (2 Peter 3).

May you know Him,



The C. M. Fellands