Merry Christmas from the Lyons!

This is our annual Christmas newsletter!

Christmas Rumblings from the Lyons Den

Christmas 2011, Hebrew Union, Cincinnati, Ohio

Looking Back… 

• In January, we enjoyed a quick get-a-way close by to West Chester & Ikea before the baby came to stay.  Michael began his second semester at Hebrew Union.
• In February, our lives would never be the same, as Jeremiah Michael Lyons was born February 7, one cold wintry day. 
• In March, after the church’s meals and Grandpas & Grandmas had gone away, we were adjusting to life without sleep and trying to solve life’s mysteries- how to calm a crying, colicky baby.
• In April, Erin’s family joined us for our Easter celebration in Cincinnati. Jeremiah was a slow growing boy so we had to supplement and feed him extra formula each day.
• In May, Michael rejoiced he made it to the end of a semester plagued with sleepless nights. Erin and Jeremiah enjoyed warmer days to walk at the park.  Jeremiah finally began to sleep!
• In June, we headed to York, PA for a two week family retreat, J’s first time on a plane and trip to Chicoteague, VA beach.  He got his first ear infection while away, but still had a great time in PA.  Erin helped with summer VBS at ECC and we visited Louisville as Michael helped train the new owner of Advanced Vending.
• In July, we welcomed to Cincinnati, our long lost relatives, Ben & Laura Lyons and cousin Jonathan as they moved here to be closer to family (living right below us- now that is close!).
• In August, Michael began his second year in Ph.D. studies, this year, Ugaritic he would read.  Erin helped watch Jonathan twice a week so Laura could help work on the apartment below.
• In September, we celebrated six years of matrimony.  With Pop-pop and Mom-mom Delp watching the baby, we celebrated our first overnight getaway in faraway downtown Cincinnati. 
• In October, we enjoyed serving in our church, ECC- Michael helping teach Sunday School and Erin overseeing a mom’s Bible study and helping in the nursery.
• In November, we enjoyed time with the Lyons/Renner clan in Cincinnati. Jeremiah became a busy, crawling, standing 9 month old baby. 
• In December, with a few colds here and there, we are headed to York for Christmas with family, while Jeremiah thankfully has not (yet) knocked down the Christmas tree.  J

Year’s Reading Recommendations…

As tradition dictates, here again are some of our favorites we read this year.  The reader of this letter can take heart that Erin stopped Michael from putting down such “treasures” as Phonology and Morphology of Biblical Hebrew—who wouldn’t want to curl up next to a fireplace with that delicious title?

From Michael: Till We Have Faces, Lewis; Letters of Calvin, ed. Bonnet; Theology of the Reformers, George; Prophets and Prophecy in the Ancient Near East, Nissinen; The New Testament and the People of God, Wright; Backgrounds of Early Christianity, Ferguson.

From Erin: Baby Wise (Book 1 & 2), Ezzo & Bucknam; Love To Eat, Hate to Eat, Fitzpatrick; Because He Loves Me,  Fitzpatrick; Instructing A Child’s Heart, Tripp; The Faithful Parent, Peace & Scott.

From Jeremiah:   Animals: Baby Touch & Feel; The Itsy-Bitsy Spider (My First Taggies Book); The Big Picture Story Bible, Helm; currently reading (with mommy) The Jesus Storybook Bible, Lloyd-Jones.

On Our Minds This Past Year… 

We are thankful for the year the Lord has given us as we are adjusting to our new home in Cincinnati, Michael’s life as a Ph.D. student, and our new role as parents.  The Lord has given us such a sweet blessing to us in our little boy, Jeremiah this year.  We are thankful for this precious gift as we learn to depend on the Lord for wisdom in raising him. 

School: Michael is enjoying his second year at Hebrew Union College in Bible and Ancient Near Eastern studies.  Although his spring semester was challenging when bringing a little baby into the home, the fall semester has been much better.  We thank the Lord that he is now halfway through his 3 years of coursework.  We are thankful for the “family” of students that he is studying with and getting to know on campus.  After his coursework is completed, then comes a year of comprehensive exams, then the dissertation process.  Although a long road to go, we are affirmed that this is the “right” place to be and continue to trust God with each day in the future.  That said, Michael looks forward to the day he can more freely pastor and teach.  

Jobs:  Many prayers were answered when God provided a job for Michael in January to work at the Library and Graduate Office on Hebrew Union’s campus. It has been a blessing to work on campus and go to class.  What better place to work than in the fast-action spot of a library! Meanwhile, Erin watched a toddler, Olivia, up until the week she had Jeremiah.  Now she enjoys being a stay-at-home mom, while occasionally watching another little girl at home.  Although it has not always been easy, we are continually amazed at all the ways God is providing for us.  Periodically, we have participated in marketing/research studies around the city (we have some hilarious studies we’ve done) and we have tried other ways to bring in money as well (all legal!).  We praise God for his provision.

Church: This year, we have become members of ECC, Evangelical Community Church.  We are thankful for the people the Lord has brought into our lives to love and encourage us and for ways to serve the body of Christ.  Michael has enjoyed teaching in Sunday School, Erin has enjoyed going to the Thursday Morning moms group, assisting in VBS and the nursery, and leading discussion for a Bible Study this fall for a mom’s group.  Jeremiah thinks the nursery at church is his ultimate playground!  He is known for his happy and BUSY spirit crawling from one activity to the next.

New Ways God May Grow Us This Upcoming Year…

The Lord continues to stretch us in the area of parenting as we learn how to best train and instruct Jeremiah’s little heart, while also seeing God instruct our own hearts.  Please pray with us in 2012 that God would give us wisdom in training and disciplining him.  The Lord continues to stretch Michael in how best to juggle school, work, family and ministry.  Please pray for Michael as he finds the right balance and pray that his studies would not only remain in his head but also lodge in his heart.  Pray that we would develop meaningful relationships with our brothers and sisters at church and that we would manifest the gospel with those we meet.  Pray for Erin that she would serve her family with joy in the daily ministry of being a wife and mom.  We look forward with joy to all the Lord will do in this new year!

Seeing and Savoring Christ in Christmas…

Each year seems to bring more changes to our household.  But in the midst of the changes, we have further grown to see the security and magnificence of Jesus Christ.  In the midst of pressures to balance work, family, and school, Christ remains all-satisfying.  In the midst of adjusting to an active new baby (soon to be a toddler!), Christ remains faithful.  In the midst of an on-going season of school, Christ is ever new.  In the midst of the loss of loved ones, Christ remains victorious.  In the midst of the ups and downs of life, Christ stands gloriously steadfast.  Our family is learning to value the supremacy of Jesus Christ over everything else this life has to offer.  God regularly has exposed our hearts to us, showing us how we often value other things over God.  We pray that you will join with us in admiring how big our God is in Christ.  May Christ be thrilling to your hearts this Christmas season.  May Christ be enough. 

Treasuring Christ,

Michael, Erin & Jeremiah Lyons

5684 Colerain Avenue Apt. 3 Cincinnati, OH 45239

elyons25@gmail.com, mlyons533@gmail.com, http://melyonsden.blogspot.com