A Letter from Ron and Pam

At Christmas, I was singing "I'll be home for Christmas, but only in my dreams . . . "       No home, but we had a dream Christmas trip to Austria, Germany and Prague aboard The Empress River Cruise for 12 days.  It was a wonderful trip.  We enjoyed the cold, snow and made new friends. 

But, then it was back to real life and the winding down of our fall Sabbatical.  We enjoyed every moment (except when Pam melted down because she had no place to hang her hat.)   However, Ron always provided a private spot at just the right moment, and we regrouped.

We traveled to all the southern states and enjoyed places that we had always wanted to see...Charleston, Asheville,    Savannah and many more.  We visited old friends and made some new ones.  We traveled from Boston to Branson.  It was nice to have time to spend with parents, brothers and, of course, our kids and grandkids. 

Brett and Patrick were wonderfully unselfish and gracious in allowing us to base ourselves in Costa Mesa.  They gave up closets and privacy to give us a stopping place and we loved sharing in the ministry of The Crossing, being included in the Detken clan and playing with Mia and Jackson.

We were moved and challenged by our week helping in New Orleans.  Our desire is to find regular opportunities to serve as we did there.  We shared that experience with Tim (my brother), Becky and a great group of folks from the church in Sanford, FL. 

But, we both knew it was time to make some decisions for this next season of our lives.  Ron was ready . . . I was, too.  Real life was calling.  The Bella Vista Christian Church had been talking to us for a couple of months, and we both felt that God was leading us to accept the Senior Pastor position.  Ron's father and mother helped start the Bella Vista Church 30 years ago.  And Winston (his dad) and Jackie, his wife, are still active in the church.  My parents are about 40 minutes away in Joplin, MO.  We are glad to be close to our parents for this season of our lives.

Bella Vista has 8 lakes, 8 golf courses and lots of Super Wal-Marts.  Northwest AR is one of the fastest growing areas of the country.  It is a lovely place, and we would welcome a visit from you.

The Pastor here had a stroke several months ago and has had a slow recovery.  He is still deciding what this means for his future and the church wanted to give him some time.  So, we are basically committed to a one year role here.  The adventure continues . . .

We arrived on February 17 and moved into a small, furnished
townhouse.  We are able to rent this on a month to month basis.  It is cozy and comfortable. 

We woke up on Saturday morning to a temperature of 11 degrees and 4 inches of snow . . . so, I guess we have come home for Christmas (sans the decor and presents).  On what was to be our first Sunday, church was canceled because of ice and slick roadways. (Bella Vista is very hilly and full of lots of curves and country roads).  It is beautiful, but deadly for driving. 

I am sure that God and all of you are chuckling.  So are we (except for Ron who only has basic cable for the moment and can't watch all of his games).

The weather promises to warm up tomorrow and we will begin to immerse ourselves in the ministry here.  Please pray for us and keep in touch . . .
Love, Ron and Pam

Keep in Touch!

Ron and Pam Carter
46 Abingdon Lane, Bella Vista, AR   72714
Email: napacpr@aol.com