Let’s begin with the end in mind: Merry Christmas from the Jones Family!
Jones Family 2024
As the year winds up and the temperature goes down, we reflected on the 352 days that were.
On January 2nd, we set a goal of raising $70,000 for my 70th year for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. We had no idea how that would happen. I know of entire organizations and churches that aimed at a far smaller total. Seemed kind of audacious.
Who could foresee that our eldest son would be encouraged by his wife to run 7 marathons in 7 days to get some attention to raise funds. And he did it. The idea worked. Linda Stride “owned” a hiking trail in BC going 30 days in a row, a church in Alymer held a 10km run, Lillian and Kevin in Bonnyville held a spin fundraiser, and Vahen King’s mom raised funds in Nfld.
And other friends joined in across Canada and together gave big and raised and distributed $56,723 by November! And the total is still moving towards $70,000. So much gratitude for everyone who sacrificed time, energy, and money. Thank you for investing.
Bob’s translator, Tanya and her husband David.
Bob spent three weeks in Ukraine in April, teaching at a seminary and working with pastors in Eastern Ukraine. In September one of the pastors came to St Albert for two months to be with his daughter who married a Canadian in October. We travelled with him and his wife to a couple of churches where he was invited to talk about what God is doing in Ukraine.
In November we went to Montreal for a 40-year reunion of the youth and leaders we got to work with in the 80s. 
Summer
We enjoy
ed Jocelyn’s mom’s company from January to July when she went to visit her sisters in New Brunswick and came back in late October.
She turns 94 soon and is able to hold her own in our household.
July to October we enjoyed time at the cabin with Jean Marc and Angie, Quinn, Lena and Annora. Cory and Lynsey, Vince and Jayda came in July and August. The grandkids all love the water!
They are growing and enjoying dance, swimming, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, guitar, and flag football. Quinner turned 13 in May; our first teenage grandchild.
Coaching, Writing, Homemaking
In addition to his church coaching role, Bob finished a book as a “ghostwriter” this year. Being a ghostwriter means he can’t tell you the title of the book but it will be released North America-wide in January. We, mostly he, write every week on REVwords. Jocelyn makes home a very difficult place to be away from. She put our Tree up at the end of November. Our days begin in the dark with only the lights of the tree for illumination. Nice.
2025 is someone else’s 70th birthday. We are planning to celebrate that milestone in a big way. More to come on that.
Bob’s work will take him in January to his southern-most church in Claresholm, and the next month to Fort Good Hope, NWT, his most northerly church. That’s a one-way trip of 1,997kms over highways and ice roads. Yes, he will be driving on water. In March he flies off to Virginia for a conference. There is another trip to Ukraine in the works, and this time Jocelyn will be going.
Christmas
We had front row seats for the return of Edmonton’s beloved, Singing Christmas Tree. Kudos to John Cameron, Mannie Fonte, Don Robinson and the 100s of volunteers who perform and produce this incredible Christmas event.
Christmastime, at this stage of our ministry, is an opportunity to wind down and reflect.
The Christmas story in the gospels is a stunning portion of the Bible. The experiences of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, shepherds, angels, Magi, and various other characters are awe inspiring. The story shines a light on God’s timing and attention to detail.
Merry Christmas!
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