Andy and Heather Swanson

This week has flown by! Tuesday was our first day of MMS training! Unfortunately child care did not work out and so Keith and Karen came to our home for the day and we read through the manuals while Abi and Matthew played. Then it was time for Abi's dancing from 4-5pm. After I got home I got a call to say the MMS apprentice wives were meeting that night at 7.30. Debra Coats was to be the speaker and as she only lives a few houses along, I would catch a lift with her. It was around minus 7 degrees C, dark and icy and two minutes after she picked me up the car broke down - no battery, no lights! We could not find the hazard lights anywhere and praise God we were not on a main road in the darkness! (American hazard lights are on the steering rack so I have learned!) Debra's husband Dale came and rescued us and jump started the car and then we swapped cars with him and we continued on to the meeting! Debra is from South Africa and was in full traditional dress. She told us her story and her testimony followed by sticky toffee pudding - thanks Mary!

On Wednesday we continued our induction with an in-depth tour around the MMS hanger. It was fascinating to see the different aircraft and the detailed work that goes into repairing them. In this picture you can see an airplane's floats have still to be fitted and behind the floats you can see the airplane is being suspended from the ceiling with it's tail anchored on a weight to stop it moving.

This plane started off in Alaska, with wheels, and will soon be starting a new life flying off the Amazon in South America!

I have enjoyed cooking meals for two families this week. On Friday night we had Pastor Don Lain of Coshocton Church of the Nazarene and his wife Nancy and daughters Abigail (20) and Christa (10). They have been living in New York state before moving to Ohio a few years ago and it was great getting to know them better.

We also had an MMS family round for dinner on Sunday evening. Paul Gettle is also an apprentice like Andy, however he has completed one year of his training already. His wife is Kristen and they have three boys Grant, Cole and Evan. We were able to introduce them to home made Chicken Korma!

We have managed to do a little more exploring this week and took a trip to the busy city of Columbus. There seems to be quite a lot to do there such as a science centre, indoor adventure swimming pool, and a zoo etc. We just went to see where the shops were and have a look around. The zoo etc. can come at a later date. The temperature has begun to get a little warmer around minus 3 now ;-) We decided to go sledging down the front garden. Debbie and Jeff from NC gifted the children with some interesting looking sledges which proved to be a huge hit - both for the kids and us! I'm not sure who had the most fun. Andy and I are really missing our wellies so while the kids were warm and dry we ended up with soggy ankles and socks! I really hope they arrive before the deep snow comes in Jan/Feb! We called the shipping company today and have our doubts that the stuff has actually even left the UK. Please pray that things will go smoothly and quickly in this area. We are so thankful for our house and the fact that there is at least one bed in it! Thank you to all who have, and are continuing to pray for us. We really appreciate it.

This week at church was the nativity celebrations and it was great worshiping with the choir and the children as they related the Christmas story. We are heading off to North Carolina for a week on Thursday morning which is about an 8 hour drive. Please pray the weather will allow for safe travels!

There is much more to the Song "Away in a manger" apart from the different tune this side of the pond. God made "A WAY" through the birth of Jesus, to allow us to come with all our faults, all our baggage, all our dirt and into a relationship with Him. This is the reason we celebrate, the reason we give to others, the reason we show his love at Christmas, that we might show others the "way" to the child in the Manger - the Son of the living God.

Merry Christmas

love from the Swanson's.