December 2014

Dear family and friends,

What shall I render to the Lord for all His bounty to me? (Psalm 116:12)

We pray your family is blessed during this Advent Season of preparation for our Lords coming and that the love of our
dear Savior fills your hearts this Christmas!
We send greetings from the joyful chaos of family life. Life that is filled with much grace, abundant joys, precious
moments, lots of laughs, all amidst times of stress and exhaustion. Overall, we wouldnt trade this time of life for
anything.
Highlights from 2014: As weve settled into our new home weve been blessed to
complete various projects including building a new brick Shrine to the Holy Family and a
playground for the kids, cutting down three large pine trees (thankfully they dont put an
age-guide on kids using a chain saw!), putting in a garden, painting the playhouse and
building a chicken coop its great to have a home again! In May we were
able to attend the institution of a new religious order in our Diocese the
Missionaries of the Word (Sisters we providentially met first in Michigan when were discerning our
move to Green Bay). This summer, we really enjoyed having Pattys brother Matt visit us and its great
to have her sister Aunt Jenny in town. In July, our family went camping for the first time in close to 8
years, spending 4 days at Catholicfest in Door County. William and Miriam also attended their 1 st
Milwaukee Brewers game this summer. We are enjoying the city of Green Bay and the many city
activities - the kids got to attend Packers training camp and were able to run in the Lambeau
Field Back to Football 1K kids run, including a lap around the field (of course Dad had to
accompany Luke on the run). In early fall, the kids got a lesson of civics in action as a couple of
appearances before the town board achieved a new ordinance allowing for chickens in our city of
Howard residential area. Goldie and Eggna joined our family in early September and weve
been enjoying their egg production since!
The Children: William is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. He made his 1st communion
this past May. He continues to amaze with his love for his faith and is an inspiration
to his parents. He also retains his great love for building things and playing with hot
wheels. Miriam is now 6 years old. She attended her 1st Father/Daughter dance
this past year, is honing her big sister skills and is preparing for her first acting
performance in The Sound of Music this coming spring. Luke, age 4, continues to
amaze with the quickness of his mind as he absorbs what his older siblings are learning. His thoughtful,
gentle nature is a gift. Thomas is the first to merit his own nickname and theme song My name is Tom-asaurus (ask the
kids to sing it for you sometime) which accurately reflects his dinosaur-sized personality and penchant for mayhem, some
of which is part and parcel to being 2 years old and much of which flows from the temperament hes
been given. He keeps us all on our toes. Finally, the Lord in His generosity has blessed us with a
baby, due to arrive on Divine Mercy Sunday April12th or there-about. Were awaiting this child
with eager anticipation and cant wait to meet him/her.
Phil and Patty celebrated 9 years of marriage in May. We continue to do our best to respond
to the opportunities and doors the Lord opens for us within the context of our vocation to
marriage and family. Patty continues to teach Kindergarden in the parishs faith formation
program. She also created and ran a family program at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help.
In addition, she continues to stay active in the homeschool community and finds numerous
ways to keep busy, be it organizing All Saints Day parties, helping to write curriculums, or
various other projects. Phil continues his work for the Diocese of Green Bay working with young adults and the RCIA
leaders. He continues to enjoy traveling around the diocese and the opportunities to teach. He even had an article
published and got to appear on Relevant Radio this year. It remains a great blessing and privilege to teach people about
Christ and His Church.
We remain grateful for all who have touched our lives over the years. This time of year is an apt time to thank God and
thank each one of you for your friendship, kindness, example and love. Know that it is appreciated!
Merry Christmas and May God bless your family in the New Year!
Phil, Patty, William, Miriam, Luke, Thomas & Baby Lawson