Dear Friends and Family,

God's gracious blessings on you in 2007!!

We finally replaced our digital camera this year, so I'm taking advantage of technology and trying out a New Year's Web-letter. Later, you will also be able to view updates of our building project on our website. We hope you enjoy catching up with us and our lives in 2006!

The big question a lot of you all are asking is, "Have you started building yet?" Well, no, but God is gracious and with His help we've overcome several large hurdles this year. Lord willing, permits should be granted late spring and we can begin building.

2006 started out glumly with our Health Department permit denied, news that our wetland buffers actually needed to be much larger than originally thought, requiring a much longer, more involved and expensive building permit process, AND we were evicted from the trailers/rv's we were living in on our property (not permitted in King County)! Discouragement and despair threatened to take hold, but gradually we rehabilitated the the old '70's, 500 square foot mobile home already here on the same property (previously used for storage) and finally moved in in June. What we thought was uninhabitable is actually quite beautiful now! Belinda's brother and wife bought the larger trailer for their home-building project. We rejoice that "God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." It wasn't our choice, but He provided for all our needs!

Eventually, we worked through and obtained a rarely-granted variance to use our existing well without the required permission from one neighbor, and December 13 finally brought the much needed Health Department approval! Meanwhile, in October we submitted our Critical Area Alteration Exception application (for the wetland mitigation) and are now in that process. Belinda is enjoying learning about native Pacific Northwest plants (required for replanting the wetland buffers), and Gary has been busy mulching down the huge mounds of Himalayan Blackberries. If all goes well, approval should come this spring. Through this long, arduous process, the Lord has been teaching us patience, His perfect timing, persistence in the face of adversity, how to live peacefully together in a small space, and that living without so much stuff isn't all bad.

Gary continues to work in construction building houses, and is blessed to experience the whole process in preparation for our own project. Belinda also went back to work (part-time), after many years of being full-time Mom, mixing paint at our local True Value hardware store. The Lord provided a perfect fit: a short commute, 2-7pm shift 3 days/week allowing us to continue to homeschool, and a nice employee discount to help with the homebuilding project. It wasn't my first choice (I was thinking art teacher), but He knows best, since "His ways are not our ways, and our thought not his thoughts".

The boys are also doing well, enjoying Antioch's youth group on Sundays and Wednesdays, Legacy Homeschool Co-op on Thursdays, and Ben has started full time at Bellevue Community College. He is participating in Running Start, a program in our state where kids can take highschool classes at community colleges and also gain college credit. He lives during the week with Grandma and Grandpa Lacomb, who live a block from the college, and keep him well fed. So far it's been a good arrangement for all. Ben also recently passed the test for his driver's license!! Nathan kept busy in soccer last spring and fall, and Daniel, a big Nintendo fan, was thrilled to save up for and buy the new Wii.

In April Gary traveled to Wichita along with his other 4 siblings to surprise his Dad on his 65th birthday. Having been born there and traveled there for family vacation/reunions it was Gary's first trip back in about 20 years.

Our year went out with quite a show, weather-wise. November set a record for the rainiest month ever recorded here in Seattle. Our little town of Duvall was completely cut off with the flooding and Gary, unable to make it home from work, sought refuge at some friends'. We then got hit with some snow followed by one of our worst wind storms. Our power was out for 7 days! Fortunately we had just installed a woodstove in our mobile home and fired it up for the first time the day after the storm! Last of all, more snow fell and once again Gary was unable to make it home from work and took shelter with some more dear friends.

Yes, God is faithful to provide all that we truly need in his infinite wisdom and sovereign timing.
"...There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven."
May your seasons and activities be led by Him who holds everything in His mighty yet gentle hands.

With love,
The Farhner Family

14340 Batten Road NE
Duvall, WA 98019 USA

425-788-0167