Didn't get the Reed Christmas Letter in the mail this year? It's probably because of three things:
1) I don't know who you are
2) I don't have your address
3) I really don't like you
#1 is definitely possible, #2 is more likely probable, since I am oh so organized. #3 is not likely since if you read about me on a regular basis you're already quite proficient on my favorite topic.... me!
Either way, the letter is below for your enjoyment. E-mail me your mailing address and we'll make sure you're on the Christmas card list for '07.
Thanks to all of you for reading, supporting, and praying. jreed
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Sunday, December 17, 2006
Greetings again from Miami. It seems like every year gets busier than the previous one. God has given us both some incredible opportunities, and we have loved being part of His plan. What’s funny is that this year shaped up completely different then how we thought it would.
Jeff continues to run The Living Word Christian Bookstore. Sales are doing very well, and the community continues to support us. We were praying over expansion opportunities, possibly opening a second Living Word in Miami or a satellite store on church campuses. In typical God fashion, He moved us in another direction. In August 2006 we started having e-mail conversations with C28, a trendy Christian boutique similar in style to Hot Topic or PacSun (http://www.C28.com). C28 is a hugely evangelical, for profit company which sells Christian clothing and jewelry in high-traffic indoor malls. C28 has been responsible for thousands of salvations as a direct result of employees witnessing to customers in the store, and we are hoping to bring that passion to Florida. There are eight stores open in California, and we opened a C28 branch in West Palm Beach, FL November 17, 2006. So yes, as of right now we now run two retail businesses in two different cities.
In January 2006, Jeff was just starting a second, part time job at Christ Fellowship as Production Director for their worship services. The church has seen strong growth overall as well as within the Media ministry and despite the extra hours during the week the job became very rewarding. Christ Fellowship is planning on starting a second, satellite campus in 2007, and both Amy and Jeff will be leaving the “main campus” to go oversee the technology on the second campus in Homestead. Needless to say, three jobs keep Jeff very busy.
Amy has had a difficult year. Her health took a turn for the worse during the beginning of the school year, and got to a point where we felt she needed to take a break from work. Amy has been on personal leave since mid October, resting and helping Jeff organize the C28 back office. She is also helping to organize a mission trip to Ukraine on which both of us will be going in January.
2007 will see us moving as well. We are leaving our two story house in Homestead to go to a one story house in “Cutler Bay”, an area of Miami that is much closer to the bookstore, making commute much easier. In addition, a one-story house will be much better on Amy’s health. We should complete the renovations and move in sometime in February 2007.
The question that seems to be on everyone’s mind these days is what is the plan for kids? We were with an adoption agency and were actually very close to completing the process. In a strange twist, we broke contract due to some internal conflicts with the agency and we’re in a holding pattern again until we get moved into the new house and then pray for God to open some doors.
Beowulf is still with us. He’s had a rough year. Ultimately, a lot of his health problems can be summarized by his passionate hatred for ducks. He tore his ACL swimming after ducks in our lake, and has gotten stitches from duck-brawls. He, too, will be very happy when we are in a one-story house away from ducks.
We covet your prayers. 2006 was a very taxing year physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We know that God has some awesome things in store for 2007. Pray for us as we seek Him in what we do. And hopefully somewhere along the chaos of this Christmas season you can find the true meaning of the Christ.
In view of God’s Mercy,
Jeff and Amy Reed
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