The Archer Family » News

Merry Christmas

Jason — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:01:03 +0000

Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas from the Archer family. It’s Christmas eve, and we’re going out one more time for some last minute shopping to prepare for the next two days of time with friends and family. It’s an exciting time. As we look back on the past year, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we’re blessed.

Micki

Micki is teaching first grade (her tenth year as a public school teacher). She is having a fantastic year with lovely kids and parents. She has moved classrooms (again) and is finding a great rhythm. After finishing her M.A. in Education, she’s able to now focus on teaching without taking additional coursework. As we were driving home from friends last night and asking random questions to each other, Grace asked, “If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?” Micki replied without much hesitation, “My job”. I believe her. She also takes pride in helping keep our household running smoothly. This fall Micki connected with a good friend who is a personal trainer to help get she and I in shape. She has enjoyed Mon, Wed, and Fri at 6am very much. Me? Not so much.

Grace

Grace is halfway through 8th grade. Her whole life she’s wanted to be bigger and older than she was. It’s happening before our eyes. She is growing into an absolutely beautiful young lady. She ran track last spring and played volleyball this fall. She made the basketball team this winter and is looking forward to that journey. She loves her friends, wishes everyday for a Facebook account and cell phone, but most of all, she loves Jesus. One of the greatest qualities of Grace is her heart. It’s soft for the Father as she tries to navigate the tumultuous waters of Jr. High.

Jason

I’m finishing my second year as Executive Director of Communication for the Free Methodist Church, USA. It’s been a whirlwind as I’ve helped lead through some pretty significant changes. Through it, the Father has helped me immensely, as well as the family. I was traveling every week for work. However, this has now changed to where I can do most of my work from my home office and occasional travel. A few days ago I turned in my thesis to complete my M.A. in Communication. I’ll participate in graduation in May.

2011 Highlights

Looking back on some of the SportsCenter highlights of the year, I’m in awe of what we’ve been able to do, where we’ve been able to go, and how we’ve grown. Our prayer for you as we all enter into 2012 is that this new year would be one of deepening in experiencing the Father’s heart. For you to discover or rediscover the fact that you’re radically loved by God – and there’s nothing you can do about it. The more I understand this, the more it radically changes my life.

Feel free to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and snail mail. Below are the highlights from this past year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Archers.

8th grade band

Jason — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:04:07 +0000

8th grade band, originally uploaded by Jason Archer.

Another year, another band concert for Grace. She is in the percussion section and had a really cool performance with her group in the balcony. She’s so talented. It is always great to hear the band improve over the last two years and see how naturally talented Grace is.

Thanksgiving

Jason — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:18:33 +0000

Family Photo, originally uploaded by Jason Archer.

This thanksgiving was a bit of a departure for us. Rather than hang with the Durochers, we wound up traveling to Ohio and Pennsylvania to enjoy time with our families.

We stopped on Wednesday night to visit my dad and Phyllis and then traveled Thursday to PA to spend the day with my mom, sister, and their families. It was cramped but fun. We enjoyed swapping stories, catching up, watching old home movies, and playing Apples to Apples. Saturday we gathered at Duros with Brants and Dumonts for some thankful time before we headed back to work and school. All in all it was a great time with family and friends. | Flickr Photoset

Madrid

Jason — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:10:41 +0000

Cuties, originally uploaded by Jason Archer.

This November, I took Grace on her first cross-cultural trip to Spain. I went there for work to present communication strategy as well as network with our missionaries there.

We took a few days to see the sights of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We ate some amazing food including fried sardines, kabops, tapas, chocolate’ y churros, meat and cheese for breakfast, flan, churrizo soup, and, of course, Starbucks.

We saw an original Picasso and Rembrant at the Prado Museum and took a day trip to Toledo, the original capital of Spain.

The trip was amazing. It was a fantastic time for Grace to experience a different culture, great to spend focused time with her, great to connect with the Lord, great time for Grace to get a deeper vision for her life as she interacted with so many amazing FM missionaries. I’m thankful for my little girl and a job that allows me to serve and share life this way. | Flickr Photoset

Madrid Bus Tour

17th Anniversary

Jason — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:00:41 +0000

Trolly Ride, originally uploaded by Jason Archer.

October 22, MIcki and I celebrated our 17th anniversary. We snuck away to San Francisco for a fantastic getaway. We stayed in Union Square, right in the middle of everything. We did some shopping, took a trolley ride, ate dinner in Fisherman’s Wharf, toured Alcatraz, and had one of the best meals of my life at at a quaint Italian restaurant with outdoor seating and free champagne to toast our marriage.

With a short time to share, we made the most from watching our first flash mob to reading in Union Square, Cheesecake Factory late nigh snacks, and lots of walks in a beautiful city. My favorite celebration of the year above Christmas, Easter and birthdays. It’s the anniversary of the date I chose my best friend, partner, and soulmate for life. My most treasured relationship this side of heaven. Flickr Photoset