. . .(T)here before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. -- Daniel 7:13-14
Praise the Lord! We hope you and yours are doing well as this year comes to a close.
The big announcement you have been waiting to hear and we have been waiting to make…"IT" is finished at last! Evan spent much of his spare time during 1997 and 1998 writing and rewriting sections of the dissertation. Evan received the traditional "Congratulations Doctor Yeager" upon successful completion of the defense process in December of 1998. All was made official upon graduation in May 1999. Glory to God. Thank you ever so much for your prayers and support over the 8 year process. Life has been much more enjoyable now that there is no longer an academic Sword of Damocles hanging over Evan's head. You can learn more about the dissertation and the research involved by visiting our website listed at the end of this letter.
Dr. and Mrs. Evan Todd Yeager shortly after all was made official at the May 1999 graduation.
We are living in Commerce, Texas It is a rural community that offers a major university (Texas A & M Commerce) and numerous concerts, plays , art exhibits, and other interesting diversions. During the last few months, we have enjoyed seeing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Glen Miller Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, FFH, Michael Martin Murphy, and university stage productions of "Oklahoma", "Annie", and "Sleeping Beauty". Both the university and community provide wonderful educational and entertainment resources through well stocked libraries that Joleen and the children visit weekly.
On a ministry note, most of you are familiar with our background of working with youth and children's ministries. Currently, the Lord seems to be opening doors for ministry opportunities with young couples and families. We've felt the winds of change blowing for sometime and have been in prayer and preparation. This fall we've taken the course "Growing Kids God's Way" and have been assimilating the new information in our repertoire of research. Recently a contact was made with Sparrows Nest Ministries out of Greenville, Texas to begin teaching parenting classes to single moms and fathers looking for hope and help through this challenging time of their lives. We are very excited about this new chapter of ministry in our lives. Serving God has never been boring!
We are partaking of the joys and challenges of restoring a circa 1928 home in the historic district near downtown Commerce. Many of the homes in our area are being restored or renovated. We have enjoyed watching as young families and others have moved in and once again brought pride and grandeur to the neighborhood.
Joleen has been keeping busy in a variety of areas. Now that she is no longer Evan's typist, she allocates significant amounts of time to our children; a private math tutoring service for high school and university students; Christian ministry; sewing, and crafts. Joleen is active in our church through the ladies prayer ministry and as the children's ministry leader.
Evan is employed as Director of Instructional Technology at Trenton Independent School District in Trenton, Texas, a town about thirty minutes from Commerce. With the professional student no longer in school there is more time for him to enjoy the children, play with model trains, and be active in church leadership. Speaking engagements have allowed Evan the opportunity to present his doctoral research.
Victoria, age 7, is doing well in her bid to conquer second grade material. She has participated in local dance and gymnastic classes this year and placed first or second in her age group in local art contests for the last two years. Also noteworthy, Victoria made her first quilt top under the instruction and guidance of her Grammy (Joleen's Mom). Victoria cut out every patch for the 9-patch pattern and hand-stitched the entire twin-size quilt. Joleen enjoyed the memories of crafting with her own grandmother as she watched Victoria and her Grammy work on this project. It has been a wonderful experience to see the work of a loving artisan passed down from one generation to the next. Victoria increased the size of our family this year by adopting and taming a litter of stray kittens discovered under our garage.
Nathaniel, age 4, is learning his letters and numbers quite well and is disappointed when "school" is over. He has at times awakened on Saturday morning and wanted to do "school" instead of playing. He enjoys playing with Lego® blocks, Play-Doh®, and toy trains sets. It would appear that he enthusiastically shares his own father's love of trains.