2010 Christmas Greeting and Update from the Burdens

1. DECEMBER 2010! AN N UAL U P D A T E! FREE
THE BURDENS
POKAGON STATE PARK, IN
TOBOGGAN RUN
GLEN ARBOR, MI - BOONEDOCKS RESTAURANT
“This moment contains all moments.” -CS Lewis
Someday we have to stop waiting for We can’t usually see it clearly, that’s We don’t have to wait for anything: a
life to arrive. We have to realize that true. But for our own good, we must degree, a better job, improved health, a
although life always feels like a trust it. We must trust Him. Just as Jesus mate, a child . . . We are gloriously
transition, the transitions are the thing became “flesh and blood and moved tangled up in Kingdom work in every
we’ve been searching for after all. God into the neighborhood” (The Message), mundane moment. Even in this mundane
is in the middle of them, and all the so we must trust that every twist in moment. As author Carolyn Custis
mess that has happened up till this our story points to God’s glorious--if James wrote: “If God is sovereign, then
moment has prepared us perfectly for outrageous--redemption plan. plan B is a myth.” -smb
the now.
POKAGON STATE PARK LAKESIDE ROSE GARDEN POCONO MOUNTAINS

2. The things we do extra weeks of Christmas vacation and
a dwindling honey-do list at the Burden
60 seconds for me to realize I would
be the only spot of estrogen among
for love home. them. And so began a grand adventure,
as I have soaked up knowledge and
Suzie
encouragement from about 20 guys
I never intended to go there. But Jesus My work life seems to indicate that I who also wish to grow in sharing God’s
asked me to, and I could not resist Him. have an identity crisis--yet it somehow truth.
After David and I took in a young woman fits, and I’m enjoying all of it.
detoxing from drugs back in March for just
a few days, God began to split my heart I fill in occasionally as a workplace My sermons for the semester are now
open. chaplain, then spend time as a freelance completed, and I am thrilled to know
writer for marketers and content that a) my professor encourages me to
Then my heavenly Father had the nerve to
providers in the Christian publishing continue to preach and b) I have
cancel my much-anticipated summer plans
and nonprofit learned more than I imagined I would.
for a chaplaincy internship at a local
worlds.
hospital. Lots of time with nothing to do. Thankful to be Next semester: Intercultural Ministry,
So in a strange twist, I ended up back at published in Leadership in the Local Church, and
the rehab house I had taken our young 2010 in Hermeneutics. Graduation date
visitor to back in March...leading a Bible Zondervan’s anticipated in May 2012. It’s a thrill to
study. Heaven Calling now be able to say: I’m enjoying every
devotional, minute of it.
available online
“He has sent me to comfort the David joins me in every project I
or at your
brokenhearted and to proclaim that complete, adding to and helping to flesh
favorite
captives will be released and retailer. out my thoughts, ideas, and
prisoners will be freed.” Isaiah 61:1 perspectives.
New year
goals include We’re so grateful for a partnership in
expanding my business and beginning to which we pull for the other and are
In case you’re wondering, I don’t know
speak for Christian ministries and learning to appreciate both the left-
much about substance addiction. But I
churches. brained and the right-brained members
know more than necessary about
of this duo. We’ll let you guess who’s
brokenness. I know, too, that we are all in connect with me: who.
recovery from self-addiction.
twitter.com/suzanneburden
All I have to offer is love, mercy, and God’s been more than gracious to us in
linkedin.com/in/suziecb
dignity...and the very Word of God. We’re bringing us together, knitting our hearts
reading through the book of John and as one as we look outward to serve
marveling at Jesus’ witty and sarcastic way
with the Pharisees, and His tenderness
The things we do others, and shining light into what he
has for our future, one glimpse at a
with the outcasts. for school time.
Hearts are changing, faith is being fired in As always, we’d love to hear from you
the furnace, and God’s love is shining rays All I saw was males when I entered my and yours. Merry Christmas!
of hope where there were none. And in first preaching class; it only took about
the strangest twist of all, I am the one who
is more alive. Who is now believing in the
power of Jesus in one heart and life even
more than I did before. Thanks be to God! DAV I D & S U Z A N N E B U R D E N
All because He first loved us.
The things we do 3915 LIVE OAK BLVD, FORT WAYNE, IN 46804
for work SUZIE- 260.515.6446, SUZANNEBURDEN@GMAIL.COM
DAVID- 260.312.7224, BURDENDJ@GMAIL.COM
David
Thankful to still be employed at General
Motors, David’s job rests secure for now SUZIE’S WRITING BUSINESS & BLOG:
as Fort Wayne’s truck plant added a shift
SUZANNEBURDEN.COM
and is producing even more trucks than
before. A slower January means a few ONEWOMANINSEMINARY.BLOGSPOT.COM