2021
Newsletter – November-January 2021
Last quarter, I asked for your prayers for my dear sister Robyn in Australia. Sadly, Robyn passed away a few weeks ago after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer for more than 2 and ½ years. Tammy and I had the precious privilege of talking with Robyn a week before her passing and she was ready and even told us of the planned Celebration of Life service a few weeks ahead. I suggested to Robyn that I would like to compose a special song for that occasion and she said “Oh Ross! Would you please?” I was able to complete the lyrics in a day or two and Robyn’s amazing husband, Ian, read them aloud to her when she was awake and able to comprehend that it was from her “little brother.”
2021
Newsletter – August-October 2021
Thank you all so very much for your prayers for my dear sister Robyn in Australia. More than two years after her diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, Robyn continues to amaze doctors, and to inspire all of her family with her positive outlook, certainly due to her strong faith, and the True Hope we all have in Jesus.
2021
Newsletter – May-July 2021
Featured Images: Ross gives first 2021 Driveway Concert; Our Connecticut family all dressed up for church; Ross has a Zoom video editing session with his editor in Pennsylvania
“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38 (New Living)
Dear family, friends and ministry partners:
Tammy and I hope that this finds you and yours safe and healthy. Needless to say, we have made no ministry trips in the past 15 months and are doing what we can to serve our neighbors, family and friends. I just started up another series of Saturday evening “driveway concerts” this past weekend. About 40 folks spread up and down our cul-de-sac and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the 90-minute program. We offered 20 of these concerts in 2020 but put them on hold during the cooler weather and when I needed time for my back to heal.
I have been using this time to complete a number of ministry projects that I have neglected when I was traveling so much. One is the creation of music videos for more of my original worship songs. These will not only be incorporated into live future worship services, but I plan to share them at no charge on the Internet and via e-mail. If “a picture is worth a thousand words” then perhaps a song is worth ten thousand, especially when accompanied by pictures or videos! Perhaps now more than ever before in human history has this world needed to hear the message of hope and peace and true joy that is declared in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Connecticut family, Heidi, Ryan, Grace (7), and Gabriel (5) are looking forward to a summer visit to California after a year and a half at home in Connecticut. Heidi’s work has been busier than ever as her team responds to the dual economic and health crises that the pandemic has triggered in the most vulnerable parts of the world. She has most recently been working tirelessly helping policymakers and organizations throughout South Asia respond to the COVID-19 surge. Ryan is writing two books and is wrapping up his first all-Zoom semester of teaching “Life Worth Living” at Yale. Grace is a budding poet and environmental activist. She enjoys knitting in her rocking chair while listening to audio versions of the Little House books. Gabriel is excited to start kindergarten in the fall. He knows more about dinosaurs than you do! All have been loving joining their church for masked outdoor services on the New Haven Green.
Wonderful Dad Jonathan and Mom Lisa plus 5 in the Middle East; Almost five-year old twins Isaiah and Evelyne holding one-year-old twins Aaron & Noah, with three-year old Solo in the middle
Our family in the Middle East is growing fast! The twin grand-boys just turned one-year-old and sadly, we haven’t met them yet. We hope to rectify that situation later this year. The three older children, twins Evelyne and Isaiah, and middle child Solomon (“Solo”) are really great with the twin boys, entertaining them and gladly playing with them. Lisa texted us yesterday to let us know that their country has just gone into a three-week nationwide lock-down due to the Covid19 surge. It is challenging enough to have five young children but not to be able to take them outside to play in the park or at the sea for three weeks is very disconcerting. Please continue to pray for Lisa and Jonathan and their children for their safety and sanity. They are continuing to do wonderful work from home even though movements have been severely limited.
We have been sorry to learn of the passing of a number of our long-time ministry partners this past year. We greatly miss Suzy Crowell, George Cassat, Don Persyn, Lee Pettijohn, Nick Leaver and Pastor Sammy O’Dell. We long for the time we can be reunited with all our family and friends forever! In the meantime, we pray for you and yours and want you know that our hearts are full of gratitude for your prayers for our family and ministry, and for generous support over these many years, especially in this past challenging one.
With gratitude, love and blessings,
Ross and Tammy
2021
Newsletter – February-April 2021
Featured Image: Younger daughter Lisa & husband Jonathan holding 8-month-old twins Noah and Aaron; almost 5-year-old twins Evelyne and Isaiah (holding hands!) and almost 3-year-old Solomon
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…” II Corinthians 5: 18, 20
Dear family, friends and ministry partners:
The New Year of 2021 is finally here! Needless to say, we are so anxious to see our children and grand-children in person once again (and to meet our new grand-twin boys for the first time!) However, we will have to be a little more patient! I am sure that many of you, dear friends, are also missing being close to your loved ones – Zoom and FaceTime and video clips and phone calls are great but not quite the same!
As I reflect on the beginning of a new year, I was reminded of the above beautiful and encouraging scripture – as followers of Jesus, we are, INDEED, a “new creation” and as He lives in us, using the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we ARE Christ’s ambassadors in this world that so desperately needs His LIGHT! Even if we are still forced to be “hunkered down” we are honored to share HIS Light, HIS Love and HIS Life!
A few days before Christmas we offered our 14th “Driveway Concert” and were so glad that over 50 friends and neighbors “socially distanced” on our cul-de-sac and enjoyed songs of the season, especially the beloved Christmas carols. Winter here in Southern California enables us to be outside a lot and it is on our morning walks and interactions with our neighbors, and with phone calls and e-mails to friends and family, that we can truly be “Christ’s Ambassadors.” I have a couple of ministry trips tentatively scheduled in March but don’t know if travel will be safely possible by then. Also, I have been asked to give programs at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities only to have them canceled due to the ongoing pandemic. Yet, in the midst of darkness and despair, we can all offer light and hope and comfort, through Jesus Christ, our Lord!
As you can see from the picture above, Lisa and Jonathan certainly have their hands full over there in the Middle East! Their wonderful work sharing God’s love and the Gospel of Hope continues in spite of COVID! Heidi’s organization, “Innovations for Poverty Action,” is more needed than ever in the dozens of countries they serve around the world, especially as worldwide poverty has seen a dramatic increase during this time. (There is a wonderful article about “IPA” in a recent Wall Street Journal.) Your prayers for our family and for all those incredible workers who serve as the “hands” and “feet” and “eyes” of Jesus are much appreciated.
Thank you, also, for your many prayers for my health challenges. After almost five months of back pain, and numerous visits to doctors, orthopedic specialists, our chiropractor, acupuncturist and physical therapist, I am happy to report that the pain is way less, and I believe THE Great Physician is answering your (and our) prayers for healing and restoration. And a heartfelt thank-you to all of you for your kind and generous support of “State of the Heart Ministries” over so many years, but especially during this one just past.
We pray continually for you and yours, that our loving and awesome God continues to bless and keep you and hold you safely in the palm of His hand!
With gratitude, love and blessings, Ross and Tammy