Jason and Angie Bechtel Bringing Hope to Unreached People Groups Let’s see…we’re now in 2012…what has happened in the last little while?? I guess I’ll start back at Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas break. It was fun having Delena home every day. It seemed a little strange though, I’m not sure why since it was only a couple months ago that she was home every day! We actually spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my parents, with my sister and her family and my brother. We haven’t all been together on Christmas morning in three years probably, just because of work schedules mostly.
We spent Boxing Day with Jason’s Mom and all his siblings.
Then the 27th we were back at home in order to have Jason’s Dad over to our place. Each day came with a turkey dinner and, of course, there were lots of leftovers to follow! 
It was also nice that Jason could have a few days off between Christmas and New Years where we didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything!
New Year’s Eve we were home with a few family members and we managed to make it until midnight! It was a short night though with church in the morning!
The next week we had a nice surprise and my cousin was able to come for a visit with her two boys. We’ve stayed at their place a number of times, so it was nice to have them to our place for a change. I got to take them all for the winter version of the ‘Jungle Camp’ tour. I think the kids just liked building the snowman at the end of the tour. They didn’t really care too much for trudging through the snow, but at least they all slept well after that!
Yep, the bridge can hold their weight!
Julie and her boys had never been to Jungle Camp
That week there was also free skating each afternoon at the Durham Arena, so we decided we should attempt to take all the kids skating. Ever been skating with a 1, 2, 3, and 4 year old? That doesn’t even include Myelle! Jason and my brother both came with us to help and it still took us a half hour to get everyone’s skates on! That left us with a half hour to skate, but that was enough. Thankfully some friends were at the arena and one of them graciously watched Myelle on the sidelines and another one helped Lorelei out quite a bit. By the end of the time, the kids were just starting to get the hang of things and we forgot our camera, so we decided to try again the next day.
Lorelei showing us how it is done. Not bad for being the first time on skates.
eventually Delena did catch onto how to use the pilon
Our second round of skating, Jason stayed home with Myelle and just two adults took the four kids. Again, a half hour of lacing, but the allotted skating time was longer, so we could actually be on the ice for a full hour. This time we took lots pictures and the kids did a lot better!
Over Christmas we saw a lot of extended family. One question I heard a couple of times was, “What does Jason do?”
Another fun thing this month has been taking Delena to swimming lessons. It’s her first time and there are 5 kids in her little class with 2 instructors. The lessons are at the Durham wading pool, which is up to Delena’s chest almost, in the deep end. She’s done very well. She didn’t want to put her head under the water at all on the second day (which was their first time) but now she’s the only one who will do it without the instructor’s ‘help’. 
