Merry CHRISTmas 2019

Good morning, it is 3am here in Florida this Christmas morn.  "Old bones" and a husband who has been hit with a BAD cold has me up and ready for the day.  However.... there are no presents to wrap or food to make -- so, let me write my Christmas Letter.  Finally.

Wise men still seek them.  

Whoa -- can we say, I procrastinated a bit?  
  I went to last year's letter for some inspiration.  WHOA again. Insert that emoji where the person is thinking!  

Who wrote that? 

 I was on a roll -- ready to convince you to start sending Christmas cards,   reminding  you that God wins,  and  wanted to inform you of  a year's worth of news and memories all in a 2000 word essay!!  Did you read it last year?   If you did - bravo!  THAT was LONG!  Maybe too long!  

WE cleaned up pretty !   Washington DC - July! 

I was exhausted just reading it again this am!  If you wanted to read our adventures - here is a link for last year: 

But...please come back for this year!  I won't be as wordy this time.  

Christmas 2018

So, it is Christmas morning. 

 I spent a sweet and 'slow' day yesterday ( Christmas EVE )  making cookies, wrapping the presents that were delivered, praying, and I delivered some presents as well.  I also opened about six Christmas cards and LOVED each one.  I have to admit -- opening an old fashioned card brings me joy!  

  I also got on Facebook --often --and enjoyed EACH and every photo placed there by sweet and dear family and friends as they shared their trees, their family photos and adventures, and their greetings. 

June wedding, My niece , Taylor and Ava

 Already this am - early, many of YOU have posted and I am going to be intentional and LOVE them.  I admit - I LOVE social media.  I can comment, speak and not be 'face to face'....as I am sort of a couch potato and hermit like my husband.  I can also reach out to many more through many avenues and THIS can be a good thing ... and yet the enemy loves to use it as a bad thing.  

   Now I am sure many of you are saying -- "ya right - chell a couch potato??"  Well - I am.   I admit, I go 100% for a LONG time and then I sit.  A lot.   Anyway -- let's move on.  

By the way - THANK you for opening this up and seeing into our lives for this brief moment.  Thank you for loving and caring enough about us to read and then comment.  And thank you for prayers you breathe over us here and there throughout the year -- God is faithful and good.  

My dad is now 75 and "officially" retired.  

So, how are you this AM? 

 I pray that as you are reading this, you are in a happy spot, enjoying family and that maybe you even had some time already to enjoy some of God's goodness through music and worship, His Word, or even some corporate fellowship time in church!    

I just want to take this moment right at the beginning of this epistle and say:

 Brendan and I prayed this am that YOU and YOURS would enjoy the holiday with God's grace and mercy.  May the season help us all to love better, see more, and hear each other in a better light and way that brings goodness and JOY.  And may we each learn to LOVE like Jesus -- even the hard days... we pray that for ourselves and for our family and friends.  

Last night Bren went to get gas and ended up meeting a family whose car broke down.  Everyone was very upset.   VERY LONG story short -- it was a blessing to help this family and at 2am, we got a text stating that Bren didn't have to take the guy to work at 3:30 am -- God provided a temporary car!   I know that Bren would say, "why did you share that?".  Well, Bren's selfless actions on Christmas Eve reminded me  - to be thankful.  I was a bit put off for a few moments, questioning the situation.  I mean, we live in a crazy world...but as we prayed and God gave peace, what a blessing it was to help this precious family.   God has a way of doing that often  -- speaking to me through my spouses actions.  God is so merciful and sweet and indeed, the holiday season is not the only time we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  So, with that -- may you SEE more opportunities to be those hands and feet -- as the blessings are immeasurable.  

Our Precious Bella- she  was 14, a beloved dog, and  needed to see Jesus before us.  We miss her.  

Ok, now for the Pritchard updates -- no more 'preaching' or trying to SHOVE the Good News down your throats.  And I pray that is not how you perceive this Christmas letter.  I just WANT what I see and experience daily from our Lord for you -- I know many of us are in some VERY HARD circumstances and situations.  Life on this earth at this time is hard.  God didn't intend it to be this way, but even in our struggles  - we have seen JESUS come riding in on his glorious white horse and fight for us  -- HE will do that for you too. We just need to submit and place it at the Cross.  I pray this makes sense.  If not - PM me.  Let us pray for you in 2020.  

Ava, all of 4 now!  

HP and Ava watching Nemo! 

Our word for 2020 -- well, to be honest, Bren is still praying about his ( ours).   I know mine ... clarity.  2020 will be a clarifying year.  A year to see clearly what God is doing and where is He moving so that I can get RIGHT there with Him with a boldness like never before.  

After church - hold her hand!  

All dressed up for a Gatsby fundraiser!  

 Updates:  Our daughter, Taylor and Jake will enjoy a special vacation in Hawaii in January thanks to Young Living Oils.  Yep -- we are 'those' people.  She works at the Insurance Office and SJ's daycare is a block from our home.  She stops by often, Bren and her have MANY lunch dates, and we usually go and pick up SJ or Sawyer Jane at least 2-3x a week for an hour and enjoy her company.  SJ will be TWO in a week or so.  January 5th.  She is full of life, spunk, and is VERY strong willed.  She is a blast and I am so looking forward to later today,  when we can see that excitement as the presents are opened!

  What fun.  Her sister,  Ava,   was 4 in November.  WHAT a joy she is as well.  They are typical sisters, loving on each other one moment and then you need to pay close attention as one has some toy or something the other one wants.  Supervision!    Both kids love their "uncle Hunteee" and its just a BIG joy and blessing for me to see him interact with them both.  Ava is very bright and forgets NOTHING.  She loves to be outside and  loves her daddy!  Both girls are athletes and LOVE to run and are constantly moving! 

Me being silly at JM Conference!
I was sitting on Christine Caine's chair - getting blessed. 

 Jake, our son - n - love, continues to teach and coach ! He is involved with weight training and football.  ( Taylor still coaches Volleyball and we enjoy the games!)  Ava's school is now at Jake's school and THAT makes life so much easier as he is RIGHT there to check on and  sneak in lunch dates with her!  He also works with youth at their church and they both enjoy their community of friends and family!  We get together OFTEN and there are always many laughs.

  And dancing to Baby Shark...AND toys that make a mess... And cookie dough... and ......

Bren's folks!  

 His folks live right next door to us- so family meals are a treat, happen  often,  and EASY! Will and Kerry are so sweet!  If you saw the photos - we had almost 50 for our OUTDOOR Thanksgiving this year!   What a blast to experience God's bountiful harvest of GOOD food with family, neighbors, and friends.  Before I forget, this must be mentioned: 
  I admire Jake for being a man among all the estrogen within his home -- I pray always  -  that his girls will  see Jesus in him ( their daddy)  as he continues to grow towards more knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.  

3 generations! 

She is a HAM! Here she is in July.... growing FAST. 

Here she is 2 weeks ago - such a lady! 

Yes, she was sitting on her.  WE all loved Bella. 

Jim and Sandy's Grand kids... all except 4- I think.  And 3 great grands missing too! 

Hunter continues to work at Grant Thornton, he has been blessed with many good friends and is making new ones as he grows and gets connected to his community around him.  Life Church is a favorite spot of ours to visit and recently Hunter joined and has  gotten  involved in their  Life.Kids stuff.  He's  met new friends, enjoyed new a  life group, and when he gets home to visit, we relish the time and his stories.  He still walks one dog for a lady named Jeanne.  She adores Hunter  and his company.  We tease him that we 'need to meet her'.  She is 87 I think!   HP  is a CPA- an -  A2 - or Audit, 2nd year and he shares about the  Seniors ahead of him that that  he works with and learns from.  He is well into  working  up that 'ladder'.  His clients and work has allowed him to travel this past year.  Boulder, Chicago, San Antonio, and Pittsburgh have been destinations.  He is busy - getting ready to enter his busy season of 50 hour weeks. This is for a season and he is already looking ahead.    We have enjoyed his education and expertise at the Insurance Office --it  is such a blessing to SEE the fruit of what he went to school for.

  However - he works long hours!  He recently went  hunting for the first time in Wisconsin  and now, wants to plan some hunting trips.  It was pretty comical to hear him google and watch You Tube videos on "how to cut a deer" - he has the bug.  

HELP or Hunter Edwin Lowell Pritchard was named after some strong men.  It is kind of funny, prophetic,  and sweet to see what a "help" he has been to several this past year.  Including me.  He is very wise -- and it warms this momma's heart to experience that and see that.  I don't take it for granted -- knowing that many loved ones I know are praying for THAT in their sons.  I would say -- keep praying - God will answer!   Prayer does work! 

Bren and me.

  We are good. Really good.  This season is  such a fun one!

 We are empty nesters now - fully, as we had to put Bella down last month. THAT. WAS. HARD. She was 14, blind, and deaf but loved us so well.  Yet, she was having some type of seizures.  Choking.  I just knew it was time.  I avoided it for a good month, but.... 

So when you look good and you know it - you take selfies.  Sorry -- we had a blast! 

  Bren was in Wisconsin so I had the  job, but praise God for a Father-N- Law that came to my rescue and picked her up to be buried.  We cried.  I cried for 3 days - she was a loyal companion.  And I do believe I will see her in heaven.  Why not?!!  

   We, Bren and I,  are older -- so --  Taylor has us on some YL stuff ( that RED drink)  that INDEED does help our tired bones and joints. Really.    We go to the gym, try to eat right, and enjoy our grand kids. We do.  

twins - Taylor seems to LOVE that hair style! 

  We have fun. Recently, we splurged and got ourselves a Street Glide Special.  We were out yesterday, it was 59 and that wind was cold but it was a blast.  We did a TOY run a few weeks ago and just enjoyed Florida's beautiful country roads and weather.  Indeed, we know why this has been home for 32 years!  

 Bren works full time now at the Insurance Office and travels a lot with the other offices.    I am still teaching, Year 32!  I do love my job - it is a mission field and I am blessed by the opportunities I get to experience and the little lives I get to pray for and speak into.  

My dad is 75!  All of us siblings except JJ and Britt

We enjoyed several trips this year - the highlight was a wedding in Wisconsin and our trip to Washington DC.  If you follow my on FB - then there is NO need for this Christmas letter, you saw that I LOVED the Museum of Art, the SPY Museum was a blast,  and I especially LOVED Mount Vernon. 

 WE also enjoyed some REAL pampering at the Trump Hotel.  And had to rent a tux and get dressed up for a STATE dinner -- we even toured the White House.  Memories and fun!  

 We had several visits from friends and family, went to see friends, and just enjoyed being a family with the grand kids. One particular special trip for me was --  a SISTERS weekend with my 3 sisters and niece last  October. We  experienced the culture and history of Charleston South Carolina, the USS Yorktown, and laughs of being together.  We had not done that since...... well...... um... never before in that capacity!  We are planning to do that again in Denver in 2020!  Look out Aunt Gloria - we are coming for YOU!  What a blessing that was!!   

  We also have been excited because   God moved us to our 'home' church.

  LOL.  Bren and I prayed for the M2L planting some 15 years ago and in January of this year -- Bren came home from a funeral and looked at me and said, " we are suppose to be attending M2L".  "We are?",  was my response and we prayed and returned to Highpoint Church one more Sunday to make sure.  Yep, God confirmed it.  

Sisters -- um...no more jumping on the BUNKS! 

 We had prayed about attending  M2L  MANY times over the past 15 years.  We visited a few times.   We  - ourselves  - did our own thing within those 15 years, but when God got a hold of us both-- ten years ago-- much began to change.  

Anyway, in the past ten years, we have prayed about WHERE God wanted us, WHERE He can work through us, and HOW we were to serve.  WE loved FOL for its season and when God moved us to His Church, we cherished that as well.  

My REAL Monet! 

On a plane... excited to enjoy God's blessings!  

 We have seen SO much of HOW God moves and WHAT He is doing in the body of Christ.  And it has been AWESOME!    And, as you can tell by my letter -- THIS IS important to us.  We live for eternity -- not this temporary life.  However,  2018 He moved us to a beautiful body of Christ and allowed us to just rest and refresh. We attended Highpoint Church in PSL for almost 9 months.    9 months is indeed significant!  Then, God moved us in January to M2L - More to Life Ministries.  Home.  The peace we have experienced there -here - is sweet. God given sweetness.    And, it has brought us new friendships and chances to mentor. Bren is challenged and excited.  It has also refreshed and rekindled some OLD friendships that took up where they left off.  IT is really a good thing.  Holy Spirit is like that.  Seasons.  Seasons of growth, seasons of change, seasons of refreshment and then seasons of MOVEMENT!  

Hunter and Zander -- the only other male grand kid on the Pritchard side!  

Watch out Satan - THESE 5 are going to WIN with God!  This weekend changed us ALL for the BETTER!  

ya... I am sharing it just once more !  We were smitten with ourselves.  

My 8 siblings and my niece and new nephew - June 2019
Nathan, Diandra, Christopher, ME, Logan, Jordan, Daryl, Jeanette, Aaron, Brittan and Trevor
Merry Christmas!  

 THAT peace...is something we WANT everyone to experience.  God is good.  HE is sweet.  The enemy is a liar and our hearts hurt often for many around us and we pray.  But God shows us quickly that HE loves "them" as much as HE does us ...and HE will make a way for them as well.  We just pray "they" will allow God in and to have FULL control.  


So, Bren just asked -- "what are you doing?  Writing a book?"  
Well, maybe.  

There is so much more to update -- but.  My folks are good.  Still working part time and Bren's folks are still working too.  Marilyn was 80 this year!  Lowell will be 80 in 2020 -- and is going to retire.  But I think the works keeps them ALL vital and going !   My mom will celebrate 75 in July of 2020 and my dad will be 76.  Bren and I turn 54 this coming year -- WHOA...... I remember when I thought 40 was old!  

My siblings and their families are good -- God allows trials and tribulations and it has been an amazing year to see HOW He works among them. There have been tears of saddness and joy.  I marvel at how we are all still pretty healthy and kicking!  My siblings -   they are very important to me -- many of us are SO different and yet, we are cut from the same cloth and enjoy the best in each other.   And their spouses -- JUST as important as family!   All of them!  Still.  Bren has a sister and brother - here.  Our kids may know them and see them a bit more cause of the proximity, but their Wisconsin Aunts and Uncles are right up there!   I have 'taken' my grands home the past two summers -- so that the WI family can GET to know them as well.  I did that for YEARS with my own kids.  Had to bribe my kids here and there to remember their WI family names, but now -- it warms my heart to see the friendships and love that interacts between them all.  



 The BIG news was --  2 graduations from WHS  ( Dayton and Kitty ) and a wedding -- Jordan and Logan ( Daryl's oldest).  She and her hubby are in Italy!   So, that is a GOAL for 2021!  To Visit!   Logan is in the Air Force.  Jeanette and I moved to FL some 30 years ago, Nate located to Neehan WI, Brittan is in Nebraska-- so for Jordan to MOVE to Italy ...newsflash - it was a BIG deal.  However, I think we ARE all enjoying living the 'European life' through her FB and Insta posts.  The rest ...are all still in WTTN.  A very sweet town filled with memories and Mullins ice cream!  

My family -- see my mom and dad...?
 Only a few are missing, Ryan ( Brittan's hubs), Craig, Cali, Jordyn, JJ's Grands, Blake,  Jake,  Trev's Tanner, Jared and Cora
What a beautiful day and wedding, Thank you Anne, Gino, Daryl and Tiffany for blessing us!  

Ok, it is TIME to wrap this up.  

We have family and extended family - fighting cancer, diagnoses, and addictions.  
We have prayer requests for marriages and healing. 
We have friends that need the touch of Jesus. 
We have friends and family that we pray for daily -- cause we want them to SEEK Jesus - life would be different if they would -- but we can't WANT it more than them.  

God is good. 
He is merciful and kind. 
There is a lot of YUCK -- but, we have experienced WHAT HE can resurrect with a humbled and repentant  heart.  

May this letter leave you feeling good -- to know that God is at work.  
May this letter leave you knowing a little more about our lives and may that be a good thing.  

But goodness -- I pray, may this letter leave you WANTING more...
More from Our Lord to heal....to fix...  again - I want the BEST God has for you - weather you are old or young.  Whether you are a dear and close pal or a distant cousin or friend catching up.  

If you took the time to read ALL of this -- I am thinking you love us.  So thank you
Thank you 
Thank  you -- really thank you--
        -- and we are a praying family - and we WILL covet prayers for YOU.  Just PM me and let me know.  

Yes, the paci is going in 2020...along with the diapers!   But she chews her fingers and is teething again!  

May 2020 be a year of clarity for you -- 
May YOU see God's goodness and GRACE today - Christmas Day the day we celebrate and remember HOW God sent HIS son.  

Merry Christmas -  Michelle     and Brendan sends his greetings too --( it is now 6 am.  He is hacking up a hairball -- cough.  You could pray for him, he has been looking forward to watching the girls open their gifts LONGER and with MORE anticipation than I have been.  this G-man or Grandpa thing has become ....so sweet to see IN him.  He indeed would give his life for those girls!)     

aka ... Chelly, or Chellie, or Chelle, or Chell ...Or as my son calls me, "mumzie" 

And THAT is a wrap!  Until 2020!

....or Mimi ... known  best by SJ and AVA Lynne