The Kjernald Family 2011 

- a year to remember

This year has been another tumultuous year for our family. It seems as if we just can't stay in one place for very long. As you can see by the picture we are very excited to share with you the "news" of our son David who we adopted in May.

Thanks to Sweden's generous parental- leave guidelines both Andreas and Laurie got to spend the first three months at home together with him and Samuel. We are very happy, stressed out and excited to be parents of our two lively and wonderful boys, but we would be lying if we said that it has been easy. As I write this I realize that it has taken quite a while for David to feel as if he belonged, but I think he is starting to realize that he is here for good. The bountiful Christmas gifts probably helped and we are looking forward to a time when Samuel and David are really good friends. All in due time, though.

Andreas has continued to enjoy pastoring the UMC church where he has been for the past four years although this year has seen some developments that will have a major impact on our future. The UMC in Sweden has merged with two other denominations to create a new denomination, a move that we will not make. Combined with the probable discontinuation of the congregation where we have served...let's just say that 2012 will be yet another year of moving for the Kjernalds. By our count, we are up to 16 moves in almost 15 years of marriage which is both annoying and wonderful (in that order, however!).

Samuel has started first grade and is doing really well. He is already able to read some fairly difficult passages in Swedish OR English and then translate it to the other language. He is also in gymnastics and practices twice a week. We continue to be amazed at him and what he can do. To be honest, there are times when we are also amazed at some of the less-than-stellar things he does, such as toilet-papering the bathroom in his school. A heart of gold, a mind of scattering thoughts struggling to focus and a smile and a laugh that will melt the polar icecaps faster than a Hummer.

David is best described as "happy". Though fiercely stubborn he is always up for a wrestling match and some good old fun and is, seemingly, never far away from pulling a simple prank or teasing us. Full of life, it has been really good to see David transform into a little boy that is

able to enjoy life as a three-year old should. From fearing everything from Kelty (our dog) to grass to sand to lacking a variety of non-starchy foods to you name it...he is now running around playing and walking with bare feet on our gravel driveway (well, a couple of months ago, too cold now).

Laurie has joined a gym. This, however, is not the big news. She continues to take care of our boys while making sure that our home is a home and not a house/apartment. She has also finished her Swedish classes and is now able to speak and understand this most beautiful language of all (hhhmm). She attends a Bible study and continues to make an impact for God with new and old friends, one even starting to attend church again after a long hiatus.

As we look forward to this new year it is clear to us that:

1)we have NO reason not to trust God to take care of us and 

2)we are blessed to call you our friends and co-workers in His kingdom.

May God bless us all and revive us with Himself when times are dark and "rejoice" us with Himself when times are good.

Andreas, Laurie, Samuel and David