To Family &
Friends
From Joe
Brusherd December 2024
The year
2024 was definitely a change of pace!
Last year’s Christmas letter was all about Irene & I
and events in OUR lives. But the letter
went out on December 7th and a week later Irene surprised me by
deciding to go home on December 16th to be with Jesus. I’ve had the challenging time adjusting to
life without my sweet childhood sweetheart.
But I’m recognizing the positives; Peggy or Irene would have had a
serious challenge if I had left them. So
I’m the one left, and very thankful that God has blessed me over my years with
two wonderful wives, each truly perfect for the two seasons in my life.
This
year has been exciting the way God is growing my “Family Tree”!
Irene’s GreatGrandSon, Darrell, and his brother, Byron,
were adopted by Julie’s sister-in-law, Sarah Motta, and they
moved from Tucson to Little Rock, AR, only three hours away! I visited them last summer and there’s more
visits ahead!
Susan can be found visiting nieces & nephews or
spreading her cheer and Good News at church gatherings all over NW Arkansas.
Jon is working from home &/or commuting to the
Casinos in Oklahoma, while Diane has been ministering to her
parents. Kristen is diligently
caring for her health issues, while Scott is finishing his engineering
degree and has many ideas for the auto industry.
Joseph & Jeanna’s home in Bella Vista is always
busy with their five kids and their growing families. -- Jonathan & Courtney are
in Panama City, FL, while his time as Medical Dive Trainer winds down. Asana and her brother, Judah,
are growing; but I don’t get to see them often enough. Sniff Sniff.
- John & Joy’s family keeps growing. His paramedic role comes in handy raising
what is now squad of five – Adeline, Arabelle, Ayo & Avalyn
plus the addition of Anya Humble born 11/11/24; and they all generously give
hugs & kisses when I come around!
- Josiah moved from San Diego to join the family in Bella Vista for now;
there are things about California he misses, but he also enjoys family. (Now I have one less reason to travel to CA,
but still have dear Brothers & Sisters at Calvary Lighthouse Church in
Escondido that I miss!)
- Jesse & Aubrie also gave us yet another GREAT Grand child this
year. They now have Tobias
(oldest GGChild to carry on the Brusherd name), Ariella, and the newest,
Isabella Moriah born 11/7/24.
- Jewelayna is living at home, working and driving so is no longer the
baby of the family!
Jim & Annie had a harrowing year. The tornados that came through 5 towns in NWA
messed up their neighbors. Fortunately their
home and vehicles received relatively minor damage. Jim is still painting &
ministering, and Annie’s voice is still found on the Rogers PD’s 911
number.
Joel & Liz love their Richmond, VA, home but
have to travel to see their progeny. Caitlyn
is enjoying her teaching job in Guatemala and enjoys being tour guide for
visiting family. Andrew & Stephanie
are Sailors bouncing between Seattle and Japan, last I heard. Jackson is applying for a role as fireman
in a nearby community. That family has inherited
a worldview!
Beth & Kirk are only 90 minutes away in Nixa,
MO, so I get to see them periodically. Kirk
is dabbling in real estate after retiring from 15 years as a Cop protecting the
citizens of Springfield, MO; while Beth is homeschooling Charity
(working and driving) and Faith enjoys hunting with father Kirk.
What
do I do? My favorite ministry is publishing
weekly Hebraic Musings going to over 400 of my “closest” friends every Tuesday
AM. That continues as long as the Holy
Spirit provides inspiration.
My
lead role in the “Men’s Ministry” at Immanuel Baptist for 9 years is in process
of handing off roles to a squad of “Fellow Warriors” who are growing and doing
great.
I’m
also marketing Irene’s late son Mark’s 150 acre ranch in Oracle,
AZ to settle Irene’s estate.
Meanwhile,
I’m dealing with Medical issues, but looking forward to “Bucket List” travel
next year!
And the family God gave me keeps growing!
With their spouses & Grand children
& GREATGrand children,
The family God gave me keeps growing
and now totals 52 with still more to come!
That’s 13 Children & Spouses + 23 GrandChildren + 16
GREAT GrandChildren.
Christmas has become a season of
gifting and …
“The greatest Gift I have received
from Our Lord is
a family of this size with ALL of them knowing, loving and serving the Lord.
(I can’t type this without shedding a tear!)
Joe Brusherd
Joe
Brusherd 710 Summit Loop, Rogers, AR 72756 479-644-5262 Brusherd@cox.net
P.S.
When I go to my refrigerator umpteen times a day, I’m reminded of my many blessings.
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