The Ort Family

Here is a review of our last two months:

Couples Conference in Dallas

11 years at LEI - December 2008

11 years in America - Paul Stefan now LEI tech support

Assisting Daddy in his work

The Christmas fellowship of Grace Bible Church young adults (some not present)

Grace Bible Church goes caroling in the neighborhood.

We gave a plate of cookies to those who opened the door.

The LEI Falam Chin primer - ready for use!

We attended a wedding in Sapulpa, and this gazebo presented a pretty picture in the town.

Have you ever seen a wedding cake this nutritious? (No joke)

Spending New Year's Eve with friends and visiting missionaries.

Paul Stefan taking a turn in a unique game we played with the whole group.

Exhortation for the new year.

The clock strikes 12 - it's 2009!

Our first Saturday in January was a very busy day. First, we hosted a neighborhood brunch to get to know our neighbors better. It was a success, in our opinion, and we are glad that a good number showed up.

One of Peter's former lawnmowing customers enjoyed looking at his pictures.

After the brunch, we drove to Oklahoma City for an Institute in Basic Life Principles reunion.

The IBLP reunion.

After the reunion, Paul Stefan and I attended another meeting across the hall.

We learned more of what is going on regarding our freedoms, and how we can be vigilant to keep our government in its place.

One Thursday evening, Ana Marie enjoyed babysitting for some co-laborers at LEI while they attended a dinner for LEI directors.

I heard the following read at church, and wanted to share it here as well.  Celebrating Christ coming to earth should cause us to meditate on Who He is.  This sermon excerpt expresses well the awesomeness of our Lord in showing to what great extent He humbled Himself.

“He, by whom time was made, was made in time.
And He, older by eternity than the world itself, became younger in age than His Own servants in the world;
He, who made man, was made man;
Through a mother whom He brought into existence, He was given existence;
Hands of a woman whom He formed, carried Him;
Breasts which He filled with milk, He nursed;
In a manger, He Who is the Word cried as a baby, in speechless infancy – and ever since has left all human eloquence speechless!”
translated into English from a Latin sermon by Augustine of Hippo

Peter is now the happy owner of not only a motorcycle, but a license to drive it!  We celebrated his accomplishment with a Starbucks outing on Thursday night.

On November 27th, our family remembered, like many do each year, the bountiful blessings God has bestowed upon us.  We spent the afternoon with good friends, read 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, enjoyed a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc.), engaged in good conversation, sang songs, ate dessert, and shared things we are thankful for.

singing songs with Peter and Nathaniel on guitar

The whole group – (L-R) Ana Marie, the Do'Ouro family, Georg and Martha, Nathaniel and Lauren Scott, Paul Stefan, Peter

This year, the National Missionary Convention was held (conveniently) in Tulsa from Nov. 20-23.  Literacy and Evangelism International again had a booth and was staffed by various individuals from LEI headquarters.

The LEI booth

Curriculum on display

freebies 

On Sunday, the Kautt family of Creation Evangelism Tools, who we were privileged to meet, shared a meal with us in our home before their drive home.  Mr. Jim Kautt ministers in Tübingen, Germany, with his wife.  Tübingen was the city where Georg and Martha met for the first time, so the mention of that city immediately caught our attention .

enjoying a meal in our sunroom

Brothers, Jim and David Kautt with four of David's children

the whole group

Today, one year ago, this blog began.  For those of you who may be new to our blog (if you are, we would be thrilled with a comment!), below are some of the highlights of this past year.  Travel back with us to a very full and blessed 365 days!

November

National Missionary Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio

Creation Museum in Kentucky

December

Ice Storm

January

Georg's trip to Europe

February

Our First Political Convention

April

Peter working at Panera

Peter at IPS

May

Violin Recital

June

ILTI

July

Do Hard Things conference in Dallas, Texas

Sovereign Grace Teen Camp in Missouri

August and September

Europe Trip

October

Parking Project

Last Saturday, we spent a long day at LEI charging parking from those who wanted to go to the Oktoberfest.  Our location was ideal, so when the main parking lot was full, cars started coming to us.  This is the third year we have done this, and each time we are exhausted by 10 pm.  Because we had several of us working, we were able to accommodate about 80 cars at one time.  Our total earnings reveal that we hosted at least 300 cars during the day.  Peter especially showed determination and creativity in using a whole additional plot of grass which we had not used for cars in previous years.  As is evident from some of the photos, cell phones aided us in communicating to each other how many spaces were still vacant.  We had fun doing this family project, and were blessed monetarily as well.  Also, part of the funds go to support the work of LEI.  Our friend who manages Tutor Place (the LEI dormitory), had prayed that we would earn a certain large amount during the day, and despite skepticism on the part of some, the Lord saw fit to answer that prayer.  Praise the Lord!  Click on each thumbnail below to see a larger picture.