Merry Christmas from the Jason Button Family

2008 has been another, very eventful year for us. First, we have had a great run of book reviews this year and I want to say “Thank you!” to each of our reviewers and to all of you who have read these reviews and have commented on their usefulness. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this aspect of the ministry here at SI, especially all of the behind the scenes conversations with publishers, reviewers and readers. This, truly, has been a source of tremendous spiritual growth for me.

Second, our family is in the midst of a significant transition. The more I read, write, and interact with others the more I recognize my inadequacies. I tend to be very self-conscious, and posting my opinions on books and theological topics is, at times, a frightening thing. The Lord has surrounded me with a few good friends who have allowed me to bounce some tough questions off of them. This has been helpful.

In 2007, I began to pursue options for continuing my education. After speaking with friends and respected leaders, I came to realize that a change was in order. In the Spring of 2008, we determined that this change would involve a move. We also came to the conclusion that it would be best for us to move closer to family. So, in May, we listed our house for sale and waited to see what the Lord would do. Of course the housing market has been very slow and we didn’t know how long it would take to sell our house.

In late July, my wife was offered a teaching position at a Christian school near her parents in Alabama. This was an answer to prayer because she had no work lined up for the fall in Charleston. Believing that this was the Lord’s direction for us, she accepted the job and began work the first week in August. Her parents graciously offered to help us out by allowing us to stay with them during this transition. I put in my notice at work and joined the family a few weeks later.

Since the end of August, we have been in Alabama. Tiffany has been teaching fifth grade and I have been used numerous times as a substitute teacher while I look for full-time employment. We also continued to pray about the sale of our home in Charleston, and early in November, we accepted an offer from a buyer. We closed on the house on December 3^rd: Praise the Lord!

We have been searching for a home, here in the Montgomery area, and are trying to narrow our options. In the meantime, the Lord has directed our steps to attend a wonderful Presbyterian (PCA) church in downtown Montgomery. We have made some wonderful friends and have found a number of opportunities to serve.

We’re not sure about the school situation; we’re trying to tackle one thing at a time. However, we are trusting that the Lord will open that door according to his own plan. For now, we are happy to be near family and to have found a place to grow and serve.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Jason, Tiffany Caris, & Asa Button