Dear Family and Friends,

We hope your family had a pleasant 2003. This year we enjoyed watching our three youths expand their horizons. During the summer months, the boys went to Prescott Pines, Wesley as a counselor and Ben as a lifeguard. While there Wesley heard of an opportunity to be a youth pastor in Kingman, so he is currently in that position. Wesley is also working at the Golden Corral restaurant to help pay the bills. Wesley has met a really nice girl, Andrea Kimmel, who we have had the privilege of meeting and are glad for her friendship in our family.

Last spring Ben played tennis for the high school and got to play at the varsity level at a few of the matches. Both Laurie and Ben were on the high school swim team this fall. Ben actually swam at the State level competition, which was a nice finish for his senior year. Recently Ben was hired by Old Dominion University to run their Interactive computer equipment for the distance learning classes. He is enjoying the position. Ben also enjoys Auto Tech class and hopes to get into mechanics.

Laurie is also thinking about future plans. She is considering a career in real estate. Laurie likes to bake goodies and play her guitar. She is my big helper around the house and keeps the place tidy when she isn’t on the phone, having someone over, or attending youth group. Laurie is also our Christmas elf who makes sure we get the tree up and the house decorated early.

Tina has been busy learning new jobs. In July she took the half-time position as Learning Center Coordinator at Yavapai College. She is responsible to hire, train, and supervise the tutors and do workshops for the college. In November she also took on the responsibility of ABE Transitions Advisor for the college. She will be advising students who are entry-level to help them transition into a college or career program. Tina still teaches online for NAU as well.  Maybe next year she will have just one full-time job.

Mark has also been teaching for Yavapai College and is still the Technology Coordinator for the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District. He enjoys his teaching and learning more about technology all the time.  This year he joined the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition and has been riding his bike all over Arizona.  Today he decorated his bike with elk antlers and rode in the Cottonwood Christmas Parade. The crowd really liked the bike that looked like a reindeer. It was a lot of fun.

We trust that this letter finds each of you warm and well fed. We know that many of you may be in pain of one kind or another, and trust that the love and comfort of our Lord Jesus Christ will reach out to you and touch you in a special way during the holidays.

     Love and prayers,

     Mark, Tina, Wesley, Benjamin, and Laurie Luffman