Tag Archives: Christmas Letter

Christmas 2018

Larsons Dec 2018-7

Dave, Henry, Sara, Avery, Matt, Ali, Krista, Jacob, David, Anders, Emma, Barry, Pam, Benjamin

A post a from Barry this year:

Pam is so much busier than I of late that this should have been on my plate right along. Here it is, Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years yet again, and there is so much to be thankful for, and we are, thanking God in this season for every remembrance of every one of you.

Pam is busy with and flourishing in using her teaching and shepherding gifts as Minister for Women at Bethlehem Baptist’s North Campus location. Very full days and weeks but loving it. And she loves being Mimi and spending as much time as she can with Benjamin, Avery, Anders, and Henry. They grow so quickly!

Matt and Ali are in Denver, Matt with Medtronic and Ali busy serving their neighborhood school and together trying to keep up with Benjamin (almost 7) and Avery (4). They are becoming quite the Spanish speakers! We are so grateful that Avery continues to do well with her Cystic Fibrosis and is an energetic trooper, with retriever Kota her treatment buddy (consider Cystic Fibrosis Foundation if looking for a worthwhile charity!)

David and Emma and Anders (March 2017) and retrievers Wilson and Bergen are in Rochester with David already into his 3rd year as an otolaryngology (ENT) surgical resident at the Mayo Clinic. Emma is a tennis professional at the Rochester Athletic Club and Anders keeps them both busy! Praising God for the anticipation of Baby #2’s arrival in April 2019!

Sara and husband David Merritt are closer, living in Grant, between White Bear Lake and Stillwater. Henry (June 2017) keeps them hopping with work days sending Dave to Faegre Baker Daniels as an Intellectual Property attorney and Sara to 3M where she recently took a position in a new division that poses new challenges but a little less international travel, which is good as they have Baby #2 on the way as well, expected in June 2019.

Jacob, living in Richfield and working at Spok in medical communications had a big summer/Fall, proposing to his girlfriend Krista Smith in a big way on the St Croix River on a blistering hot day in September – and we are thrilled to report that she accepted! (whew – we love her!) Looking forward to an August 2019 wedding (hopefully a little cooler than engagement day!) Krista is a nurse at United Hospital in St Paul and a Young Life leader. Jacob loves working with youth at Eagle Brook Church’s Blaine campus, where they both attend.

I continue in my work with the frail elderly, visiting about 7 long-term care facilities with my geriatrics group Genevive as a staff geriatrician. I love this population of folks who have done so much for us, their kids and their country. I receive much more from them most days – object lessons in love, perseverance, resilience – than what I am able to bring to them. It is humbling work and I’m blessed to do it. I love being a Papa with Mimi to the little ones, and am so blessed by a good and gracious God through all the kids and our amazing in-law kids.

We can’t thank God enough for all of you – you are in our hearts, prayers, and memories this Christmas and always. May Emmaunuel – the God with us at that first Christmas – bless and keep you all now and in the year ahead.

Larsons Dec 2018-23

Larson Christmas Letter 2009

God’s blessings poured out on us at Jesus’ birth, remind us of His blessings all year!  It has been a wonderfully busy year for our family, and we look forward to anticipation of all the things God has in store for us next year!  Here’s a glimpse into 2009:

Barry’s mom, Loraine, went home to be with the Lord on February 2

The Larson Family, March 28, 2009

Matt  and Ali were united in marriage in beautiful Boulder, CO, March 28.  They came home to Austin in August, and we gathered the whole family together.  (Those times are rare and precious!)  They purchased their first home in October…and were with us Thanksgiving this year instead of Christmas.

David graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Bible/Theology in May and we celebrated Mother’s Day with Emma’s family, too! David made ALL-AMERICAN in the pole vault at Nationals! David and Emma celebrated their 1st Anniversary July 12! In August, they moved from Wheaton, IL to Grand Forks, ND, where Emma is pursuing a master’s degree and playing competitive tennis for UND.  David is working at Cabela’s and also for Grace Baptist Church in college ministries. He will start a new job with disabled persons in January.  Emma is recovering from knee surgery (Nov 20) and is hoping to get back on the tennis courts soon.

Sara was selected as Miss Minnesota First Runner-Up in June!  We are so proud of all her accomplishments.  She gave up her Miss Capital City title in October and is in her junior year at Bethel, majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Jacob sang in the ALL-STATE CHOIR Concert at Orchestra Hall, February 14…WOW! His 4X800m relay team advanced to the STATE FINALS in June!  And at the end of July, his soccer team WON the MYSA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!  Jacob’s high school soccer team made school history by advancing to the STATE High School SOCCER TOURNAMENT in October. He will graduate from Austin High School in June and would like to attend Bethel next year.

Pam’s trip to teach in English in China was postponed due to H1N1.  Now, the facility (Shamineau East) is having further difficulties with the government and the trip is cancelled.

Barry, Pam and Jacob are leaving for the Philippines Jan 29 and returning Feb 10…yes, we will miss the Super Bowl…. We will be heading up into the rugged mountainous jungles of Northern Luzon to do multiple film showings with Vernacular Video Ministry, and also a medical outreach partnership with a group of doctors, dentist, nurses and others from Manila.  We will be in Mapayao, which is as far as we can go since the road was washed out during the recent typhoons.

Please PRAY for us!  Pray that we would have the strength and energy to be effective helpers. (jet lag can be rough!) Pray that we will be the aroma of Christ to hurting people.  Pray that many will see Jesus through the films, through our love, and that they will turn to Him and trust in Him.  Pray that we will return with a greater love and passion to reach unreached people.

We are not asking for any help with the cost of the trip, but we would like to invite you to help with some vital equipment for the ministry there:

  1. We are hoping to raise $2500 for an iMac computer system which will enable the team to edit new productions and to produce some children’s videos (dubbing from VVMI’s partner in Guatemala)
  2. We would also like to have enough funds ($1000) for a projection system that will be used to spread the Gospel through video, in the rugged Mountain Province. 
  3. We have also been asked to bring children’s vitamins, desperately needed since the typhoon.

If you would like to contribute to any of these needs, you can DONATE online at GiveMN.org  or send a check to VVMI, PO Box 37, Austin, MN 55912  (memo: iMac or MP) or send vitamins to our home address.