Jacki C King

This was my first Christmas as a wife, as a daughter in law, away from the parents, and as a proud new mom ( of our cute and cuddly puppy, Zwingli) and I have to say everything was just a little bit sweeter this year.

To sit next to your spouse on your first Christmas together and seeing the gift tags with Jacki and Josh, or the Christmas cards with Mr. & Mrs. King…those were my favorite. Seeing family meant just a little more since we don’t get to spend a ton of time with them. The huggs from people that have watched you grow up, still giving advice and correction.

It was a lot of traveling, and a lot of food which is always good, but more so it was a lot of time to just sit back and see how blessed I really am. Getting to wrestle with two of my little cousins left me tired but feeling like a little girl again.

Two sets of families that will do anything and go to any length for you. Celebrating Christ together, laughing together, even screaming at eachother. Thats love, thats Christmas.

Our new puppy, Zwingli.

This is a recent e-mail I have received from Jared Allen a very close friend and brother. You can’t help but be inspired and so thankful for Godly men like him. Please read and be encouraged but moreso challenged. I thought it might be encouraging for him this holiday season to get some encouraging words, so if you would like to send a message to Jared please type it out so that I can forward it to him.

This is not a time to voice your opinion if you are against the war, this is just a way to encourage a fellow brother who is fighting not only for his country for more importantly for his faith.

Fellow Warriors in Christ,

Greetings! It has been almost two months since I last wrote you
concerning my status here in Iraq. I am glad to report that all is well and stable. As most of you are aware, the elections took place yesterday all over Iraq with minimal resistance. I believe this to be due to God’s providence over
this nation. In the region where I am serving there were thousands that came
to the voting sights where we, along with the Iraqi army, provided security
for all who came to cast their votes on the future leaders of their country.
You may or may not be aware of this, due to what you see on the news back
home, but there is indeed much progress being made in building up a free, self
sustained nation of Iraq.
I cannot express how thankful I am for the prayers of my
brothers and sisters on my behalf and on behalf of the work of the gospel. I am glad
to report that there has been progress in the kingdom work here. Sergeant
Phillip Michael of my platoon asked me for a bible about a month ago. I
gave him one and told him that I would be happy to discuss with him anything
that he reads in it. We have been doing so, and I have seen a passion for the
scriptures renewed in him that was not there before. Corporal Joe
Helgerson also from my platoon has shown a 180 degree turn in his life to Christ.
After he read the Purpose Driven Life, as well his reading through the
new testament, I bear witness that God has indeed turned his life around for
His glory. These two marines attended the Bible study that I have the
privilege of leading every Thursday night, and had some wonderful contributions to
the study. Pleas keep these two in your prayers, as well as the Bible study.
We will be spending the next 3 weeks talking about the Person and Work of
Jesus Christ as taught in Philippians 2; Colossians 1 and Hebrews 1 (One per
week). As always, I would be honored to join with you in prayer for any
requests that may be on your hearts as well. Please let me know. In this
Christmas season I pray that your joy would be made complete in Christ
Jesus, and that you would be a living testimony to the true reason we
celebrate this season; the coming of our savior!!! To Him be all glory
and
honor.

For the King

-Jared S. Allen