Tim and Pamm also have a beautiful daughter, Hannah. She shared her American Girls doll with me. The Refugee Sewing Society will be making doll clothes in the near future!
Thanks, Yarbroughs, one and all!
Even when they're 6' 4" tall! 
Christmas is a special time in our home, as it is in so many. We enjoy the fun of gift-giving even as we express our reverence for God's gift to us of salvation. 
Tessie took up her usual spot -- guarding the tree from any who might try to gain access. She's a Border Collie, so she positions herself where she can corral the flock. Or Christmas presents, as the case may be!
Andrei was thrilled with the stuffed penguin and the DVD of "March of the Penguins," gifts from his two birth sisters in Nashville.
Geoffrey snacked on his annual Christmas stocking stuffer -- beef jerky.
Tim was happy to get a new pair of jeans. His old ones were shot.
Later, Tim made a huge breakfast, another Palmer Christmas tradition. Yum.
The following Saturday we braved the crowds and went to the High Museum to see the terracotta warriors from China and the "masterpieces" display from the Louvre. My three boys joined this somber guard outside the museum.
The time finally came for us to say goodbye to Geoffrey. He's heading back to Missouri State University for his last semester. God willing, he'll graduate next spring with a BA in film .
We love our sons so much and we're grateful God gave us this precious time to be together. We're going to do as the song says, and we hope you'll do the same --"Keep Christmas with you . . . all through the year."
The Palmer family is together again! Geoffrey arrived on Tuesday afternoon.
That evening, we took our boys (men -- how can it be?!) to Medieval Times. We heard some groaning when they learned our plans, but five minutes into the show everyone was having a jolly good time. 
Today the boys lazed around watching TV, eating the refrigerator bare, and dropping socks, shoes, coats, backpacks around the living room. Sure felt like the good old days again!
After the candlelight Christmas Eve service at Intown Community Church, we drove Andrei back to his apartment. He wanted to show us some of the cars he's been making.
Back at home, Tim and Geoffrey took Tessie for a walk. They were at the far end of the complex when rain began pouring down in sheets.
I'd say Tessie's expression sums up that experience. "Bah, humbug!"
But we know if she could talk, she'd join us in saying, "We wish you all a very merry Christmas!"
We began our sewing class with a bunch of extra guests. Bhutanese refugees crowded into our room to watch what we were doing and sign up for the start of the new January class. You can see the concentration on their faces as they tried to understand our English instructions.
With our six regular class members, we finally got down to the business of sewing our brand new project -- fabric grocery bags! I sewed a bag while the ladies gathered around and listened intently.
Then everyone got busy pinning . . .
and sewing . . . and ironing . . .
This precious lady worked in the most comfortable position for her -- cross-legged on the floor -- even though she is seven months pregnant! Could you do this?
Toward the end of class, we passed out Christmas presents. At each place where we gave gifts, we had the blessing of sharing the reason why we give -- because God first loved us and gave us the gift of Jesus Christ who was born to show us His love, died to show us His sacrifice, and lives again to show us His promise of eternity in His presence.
Thank you very much!
After sewing class, Kelly and I met with two staff from the Women's Refugee Network. They are going to partner with us as we work to create a well-rounded micro-enterprise for our women.
At our final home of the day, we visited our family of 10 Burundians. As always, the house was crowded with extra guests of all ages. The big red firetruck was a hit . . . 
So were the two soccer balls . . .
and a set of soft farm animals for the littlest member of the family.
You would think the "extra" children visiting might feel jealous. Nope! They had fun looking at the toys with their friends and anticipating the playtime they would all share.
Here are a few shining reasons for our joy!
Bye-bye, and Merry Christmas to one and all!
I had previously met John (above) in church, and I knew he came from Sudan. Today he greeted me in Swahili. I expressed surprise because few Sudanese people speak Swahili. John told me that he had lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for many years.
John had no food and no protection, so when rebel soldiers captured him, he had no option but to join. He went through a period of training. Then he was handed a gun.
John doesn't know how old he is, but he estimates he was about 10 when he became a soldier. He spent many years fighting. His body is peppered with scars from bullets. Many of the bullets are still inside him. He has one in his neck and several others that he showed me.
After John had been fighting for several years, he was walking one day with 2 other boy soldiers. They set off a land mine. John was severely wounded. No one thought he would live. John felt sure he was going to die.
The Red Cross took him to a hospital. While John was recovering, he met a Sudanese woman named Suzana. She was married to an important man and they had three children. Suzana loved John and told him not to return to Sudan when he was well. She wanted him to join her family as a son.
John has lived in Atlanta for more than 2 years. He has a job at a meat factory. Everyone told him to save money to buy a car. John said he did not want to buy a car. He saved his money so he could go back to Africa and visit Suzana.
So, one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan" has found a home. Not only does John have friends in Africa and America, but he is a Christian who holds his faith in God close to his heart. Those of us who follow Christ know that this world is not our home. We are just passing through -- sometimes with unimaginable suffering -- to our true home in the arms of Jesus.
Under the leadership of pastor Mark Kiekhaefer, Grace Evangelical Free Church of Jefferson City informed their small groups about our needs. Pastor Bob Aubuchon of First Baptist Church Camdenton put out the word to the Women on Missions group led by Dori Swenson. And did these groups step up to the plate!
We stopped at our next home to find the mom away at her English class. We visited with her husband for a while, and then she returned to the house. How do you like the way she carries her book bag?
We also gave clothing to this family of 10. Mom desperately needed a warm coat, and we were so grateful to be able to provide one for her.
Dad was especially pleased with his new leather jacket. He looked very handsome -- and he knew it! 
Our families are all struggling to survive. They don't have enough money for rent and other basic needs. The fear and stress is palpable. Please pray for refugees . . . they have survived genocide but they still face fear and worry each day.
