Dear Mary and Joseph,
I am very excited to learn that you (Mary) gave birth to Jesus, the Messiah! I prayed for your safety, Mary, and it looks like my prayers were answered. But I will pray that in the days ahead, God will give you the wisdom and comfort that you both will need to be parents.

Mary, it must have been a very hard journey traveling on a donkey to Bethlehem, while you were pregnant. But when you rode into the city, I heard that people saw that confident and loving smile on your face, that had come from your heart. They didn't know why you were so happy, but they knew that something wonderful was going to happen to you. You were even happy to sleep in a smelly stable, where donkeys and sheep lived. I know that you are going to be good parents. I am praying for you.

Mary, keep that smile on your face, and in your heart. Jesus will be ruler of the earth one day, and you will be proud earthly parents. This letter is a letter of encouragement to you both, and I hope it will help you through the years.

Sincerely (and with all my love),
Jennifer Dillon

Dear FHE's Teens (and their folks),
This is Melissa Shoemaker. I'm writing this to tell you all good-bye!!! Yup, it's all been figured out and it's official now. We are moving! And probably by the time you get this newsletter, I'll be packed up and almost ready to move out. We are leaving January 5.

We are really excited and all. I am really going to miss all of you guys. I wanted to let you all know that I thank you for becoming my friend when I first started coming to FHE in 1994. Journal Club is no longer around and I am sad it didn't continue. The times I went and you guys were there were so fun and I had a great time getting to know each of you.

Some of the many people I'll be missing are: Curtis Pippins, Bradley Pippins, Meredith Layne, Peter Coker, Connie and Buddy Butterbough, Emily Morales, Tabby Hodges, Sarah Tomkinson, and Roberts Bortins. People that I'll miss who are no longer homeschooled are Jonathan Key and Andrew Verga. If I forgot anyone, I'm so so so sorry. If I forgot anyone, tell me.

Thanks. Well, I guess this is good-bye. Maybe I'll come back to this area but I doubt it will be anytime soon. And I guess this means it'll be a long while till I see you guys again. Please know I'll keep in touch with you all. And I hope you don't forget me. Cause I sure won't forget you all. Thank you guys for being my friend. Well, I gotta go and finish up school. I'll maybe see you before I leave. I don't know. Well, See ya guys!!!! I love you all!!!!!!

Your Friend Forever,
Melissa J. Shoemaker

PS - If you guys want to e-mail me you can! It's on the list.