Merry Christmas from the Joel Tetreau Family

Dear friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Joel, Toni, Jonathan, Jeremy, Joshua, Omega (our husky), and Velvet (our new puppy—black lab). We are sorry to report that “Barney the Beta” (our fish) is no longer with us. Yes, it was a sad day when Toni found Barney floating and bloated. The ceremony was sweet. We all gathered “round” the toilet and reflected on our fondest memories of Barney. Very surreal as we watched his limp body swirl around and around, then go down and down. Yep, Barney’s swimming in that big pond up in the sky, along with all the other “Beta fish” that were fed too much “fish food” by well-meaning yet aggressive eight-year-olds. (Don’t blame Joshua; it’s really not his fault that he used a measuring cup to feed him! Just kidding! We think Barney died of natural causes. Never changing the water is a natural cause, right?)

Well, that pretty much nicely sums up the year. This year was a challenge. I’m getting to the place where I no longer “thrive” on change. A trip here and there, fine. A new gadget that will help us maintain sanity, sure! But moving into a new house, not sure that the old one will sell, so now we get to “rent” it out … Please Lord, never again! This year was a mess! I’m tempted to think of the entire year as a nuisance and a major interruption to what has been a rather peaceful adulthood (Not really. All that we have, even years that challenge us, is from God, so it’s not a “mistake,” but I’m speaking as to how I’ve felt). First, all of us were sick at one time or another. Both Toni and I had surgery at some point in time during the year. I ripped my left Achilles tendon playing basketball. I was trying to stay in shape! (This accident happened after being told nine years ago that it was unlikely I would rip the left one, after a nice surgeon sowed up the right one when we were in Minnesota.) My newest surgeon has confirmed that my tendons have a predisposition for ripping and thus has encouraged me to give up my would-be second carrier in competitive athletics. She has strongly suggested that I stick to hiking, biking, swimming, and walking. Oh well! All good things must come to an end. On top (actually in the middle) of that, I had an additional physical challenge that showed up about that same time. Part of the challenge dealt with higher blood pressure, chest pains, occasional dizziness, etc. The challenge lasted for a month or so. At first, we were concerned that it was perhaps a bad “ticker.” Gratefully, the various tests showed that my heart is still healthy. It may have been that the medicine I had after my surgery mixed in with other “factors” and gave me these extended “weird episodes.” The church was kind in giving me the time I needed to rest. My doctors (I have quite a team of them now) believe that the stress of moving and everything else that happened this year affected me physically (well, duuuh!). Vacation was a “God-send” this year. On top of that, my dad and I were able to take several small getaways and go fishing. These were special on multiple levels.
We did end the year on a positive note. My sister and brother-in-law, Heather and David Smith, successfully finalized the adoption of my newest nephew, Sullivan Riley Smith! (This adoption makes four grandsons for Jerry and Kit Tetreau!) Jeremy’s (who is now 11 and in sixth grade) science team is headed to the finals in the Honeywell’s “Aerospace Challenge.” If his team wins, they get a trip to the Fiesta Bowl (with his dear ol’ dad), as well as a trip to the NASA space center in Houston. It’s a big deal. Jeremy continues with his piano and violin study. Jeremy is part of the Metro Youth Symphony this year. He will be playing baseball in the spring in a youth league sponsored by the City of Gilbert. Jonathan’s (who is now 13 and in eighth grade) junior-high team did well during the same “Aerospace Challenge” but didn’t make it to the finals. Jonathan, who was not able to play football this year because of ankle issues (maybe next year!), is now playing basketball for the YMCA (thankfully, Jonathan’s ankle issues have been resolved). Jonathan is doing something Joel never did in basketball; he sometimes plays the forward position. It’s a bit odd having a Tetreau who is tall enough to play something other than point guard. Well, between athletics, piano, and saxophone, our oldest keeps busy. Joshua (who is now nine and in the fourth grade) is looking forward to playing soccer at the East Valley Boys and Girls Club. He also studies piano and is looking forward to starting guitar soon. As you can imagine, all of this activity keeps us busy, to say the least. We’re grateful the boys have just one sport this year. In addition, Joel tries to get in three hikes a week in preparation for (Lord willing) a hike in and out of the Grand Canyon with “Papa Jerry” in April. Most days, Toni starts the day with a walk with the dog(s) or a bike ride with her husband. She teaches over 30 students spread out principally on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the evenings after the kids are in bed, she enjoys passionate smooching with her husband. (This remark was included to get even with my boys, who routinely give me a hard time when I enjoy public displays of affection with their mother!)

Ministry continues to go well. The Lord continues to richly bless Southeast Valley Baptist Church. With Joel’s improved health, he will be able (Lord willing) to resume occasional travel and ministry outside of Phoenix. In January, he will be ministering in the bay area. In February, June, and November, he will be at the IBL board meetings in Lake Lure, NC. These occasions will allow some reconnection with friends in the Greenville area. In March, he will be in Southern California at Shepherd’s Conference again with his favorite Bible teacher, John MacArthur. In the coming year or so, he’s looking at several international ministry trips. (Most of you will be getting prayer letters as those come up.) Toni continues to serve on an aggressive scale at SVBC. She helps organize the special and offertory schedule at church, she is on the piano rotation for our worship services, she leads Patch Club, and she helps with the ladies’ ministry.

Our lives are full. We are blessed beyond measure. We are grateful for God’s mercy. We are humbled by the incarnation. It’s amazing to consider that God would send His precious son to live in a world that would reject that gift. As you gather around the Christmas tree and family, our prayer is that you will understand the sanctuary that this season is for us as believers. If you have not placed your faith in the person and work of Christ, please consider this passage that is dear to me.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law; to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth The Spirit to His Son into your hearts crying out “Abba Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ (Gal. 4:4-7).

Please notice God as tri-unity (Father—Son—Holy Spirit) had as part of the “planned purpose” for the incarnation of Jesus (i.e., the real meaning of Christmas), to redeem you, to fill you, to free you, to adopt you, and to relieve you. Will you reject this free offer of salvation? If you don’t know for sure you have a Bible-relationship with God through Jesus of Bethlehem and Nazareth, please let me share with you over lunch, coffee, or whatever it takes. I’m willing to go wherever you are, one way or another, to share with you the true hope of Christmas! Please know that we Tetreaus love you. More importantly, God loves you!

Merry Christmas!

Joel, Toni, Jonathan, Jeremy and Joshua