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Many blessings to you during the final days of this Advent season.  Advent is a meaningful time in our household.  We always find ourselves both challenged and renewed in hope as we ponder the implications of Christ's coming into our lives and into our world. 

It has been nearly three months since we last posted a family update.  For those wondering what's happening in our lives, please forgive us!  After a year of living and working abroad, we have been back in the United States now for about five months and while it has taken some readjustment, we have been blessed to surrounded by a vital community, good friends, and of course, family. 
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Regan has been able to reconnect with her college roommates
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Regan with a group of students from campus
As our last blog post mentioned, we moved in early September onto the campus of MidAmerica Nazarene University where Regan is currently employed as a resident educator.  She oversees community life in three apartment-style dorms on campus which include about 150 girls.  This job has proven to be a blessing for our family in so many ways.  Apart from providing obvious income to meet our family's needs, we have found living among students to be exciting and rewarding.  Living on a college campus has been a rich context for ministry and we have enjoyed opening up our home to share life with these wonderful students.  Regan has worked very hard at learning the responsibilities that come with this position and has found her role to be personally fulfilling.  We have rented our house in Olathe for another year and have good tenants which makes our living on campus right now the perfect solution.  God has been so good to us and has provided for our needs in every way.  We are so thankful.
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Carter's first ride in a John Deere this Fall
Carter has grown in many ways since our transition.  He enjoys living among college students and the highlight of his week is when he gets to eat lunch at campus center.  He seems to be quite popular among students and staff and loves to scan his official MNU ID card!  While he has done very well considering the amount of transition he's already had in his three short years, the move has also brought some challenges for him.  The year he spent in Europe included limited peer interaction due to the context in which we were working so understandably, he is learning how to interact with others his age.  He attends a local pre-school program once a week and has participated in a soccer program, both of which have helped immensely.
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Spindle family gathering for Thanksgiving
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Carter with his camera
In November, we were able to spend Thanksgiving with Regan's family which meant Carter got lots of play time with his cousins.  We are constantly surprised by his love of learning.  He is reading constantly, continues to love maps, taking photographs, and has even been learning some French with his grandma Spindle!  He is a special guy and we are so proud of him.
Living on campus has provided some avenues for Jason to continue to be engaged in ministry.  He has been able to do some mentoring, speak in a couple of chapel services and substitute teach in the religion and philosophy department.  Spring will bring additional opportunities at MNU and in late March, he will return to European Nazarene College to teach a class on Christian worship.  He anticipates spending time with some previous students and reuniting with the faculty and staff at EuNC.
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Plaza lights in Kansas City
Jason's biggest challenge has been the continual search for full-time employment.  His heart is to be in pastoral ministry again and while some potential possibilities have arisen over the past few months, nothing has materialized yet that seems to be the right fit.  On the positive side, this has given Jason and Carter lots of time to spend together and strengthen their relationship.  While the search continues, we continue to trust God's guidance in our lives.  We thank you for your prayers on our behalf as our situation tends to make us feel as though we are in perpetual "transition."
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In closing, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas!  In a world that is marked by brokenness and conflict, it is our prayer that you will experience the presence of the One who brings wholeness and peace. 

Jason, Regan, and Carter Veach
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