Christmas 2011

It has been a hectic but fun two weeks! We moved into our beautiful new house and within a couple of days began welcoming our first guests. My mom and uncle arrived two days after we moved in, although my uncle didn't get to stay a full 24 hours. He had plans to visit friends in another part of Virginia for Christmas. It was great to see him, though, and for him to see our new abode.

My mom has been here working to help us unpack and organize. She is a workhorse and the energizer bunny all rolled into one. Whew! Where would we be without her? Thanks, Mom, for all your hard work!

Last Friday we welcomed our dear friend Christine, from Canada! How fun to have her here for Christmas. We had missed her so much!

We've also said goodbye to friends who are moving back to Texas and we've been under attack with different sicknesses in the past few days.

All this while continuing to look to the Father to thank and praise Him for His goodness and the gift of rescuing us through His Son Jesus and for His provision of so many other blessings, as well. We had a simple Christmas...the house was our gift this year! But it's been great fun with old and new traditions and being reminded of what is truly important. What a year 2011 has been!

More thoughts on that later...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! It is still a bit surreal being back in The States, especially on Thanksgiving Day!  This is the first time to celebrate American Thanksgiving in America in 8 years. 

I wish all my family and friends here and all over the world a wonderful day of making sweet memories with those you love.  May we thank God today and every day for each and every blessing that He pours out on us.  His blessings are endless and His love and faithfulness are overwhelming!

We are going to spend the afternoon with four other families for Thanksgiving dinner and then on to another family's home for dessert!  We are thankful for the sweet blessing of new friends today.

Blessings in Jesus!

Weekend in Houston

The girls and I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Houston to honour my mother-in-law on the occasion of her 70th birthday. What a wonderful time we had!

Bob's sister hosted a fabulous luncheon for Jacque and her friends at Masraffs (if you are ever in Houston, DO NOT miss this restaurant!). It was such fun to see many of the ladies that I have met over the past twenty-one years and it was a treat to see Bob's childhood friend Russell who is co-owner of the restaurant. Jacque's friend Marsha prayed a beautiful prayer of blessing over her. I wish I had gotten it on video. Then we shared a delicious meal and many great conversations.

We had some great Grandpa Joe time, too!



While we were there we also had a "cultural" tour of Houston. First it was The Orange Show...

 

And the Beer Can House...

 

The little girls enjoyed the Houston Children's Museum (while Joe took Emma for a driving lesson)...

We also pulled out photos and family trees and learned more about some of the family history!

We love you, Joe and Jacque, and are so glad to have had some special time with you!  Thanks, Holly and Louise, for inviting us and for the time to create more great memories together!   XO

Many blessings!

Our Latest

Hi Friends,

Thanks for continuing to journey with us as we get settled in here in Northern VA. We have some great news to share! Since mid-June the Royce crew has been trekking and exploring Virginia...DC, Virginia Beach, Shenandoah Valley and Loudoun County, NW of DC....and last week we signed a 1 year lease beginning Dec. 15 on a house in Round Hill! We have been scouting and praying together as a family, "Lord, thank You for inviting us here. Where do you want us to land?" We are so proud of our family and grateful to you for praying with us during these days as we set up camp in many hotels, bed and breakfast, beach condo, vacation rentals and with hospitable new friends.

We are currently staying at the Homewood Suites in Leesburg, and sense the Lord's favor with us, the staff and other guests. Our kiddos are getting spoiled with free snacks and gifts and so many great conversations have taken place over the past two weeks. Something bigger is going on here than just us having a place to "hang our hat." We are having so much fun! Attached is a pic of Lorita [hotel staff] with Ava and Maya.

Thank you for praying for the pastors' meeting in October. Bob enjoyed meeting other leaders and casting vision for awakening and transforming revival. It was a truly significant day. He has also enjoyed getting to know the Intercessors for America team in Purcellville ( www.ifapray.org ). They have a great heart to inform, connect and mobilize prayer teams across our nation during these days. It is a privilege to get to know so many leaders and pastors here in the area who sense that the Lord is preparing us for transformation in our community and nation in the middle of these globally challenging times.

Again, thank you for praying with us. We can sense the Lord's Presence resting on our family and are so grateful and proud of our kids! Even when we get tired and weary of camping out from place to place, the Lord is faithful to give us peace and steady hearts.

Thanks again for your partnership with us financially. To continue giving, send checks to:

Ridgecrest Baptist Church
Attn: Royce Ministries
6801 Wesley St
Greenville, TX 75402
903.455.0020

Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends!

Joyfully,
Bob and Scarlett Royce

Jorja-girl

This is our precious friend, Jorja!  She was best buddy to Ava and Maya in Canada.  They spent countless hours playing together every week for the past five or six years.  She is the youngest daughter of my dear friend Janice.

Last week, Jorja suffered burns from the kitchen stove.  Tomorrow at noon (Eastern Time) she will be having skin graft surgery.  Please pray! 

We are sad not to be in Toronto to support her and be with the family, but we are with them in spirit and on our knees every day. We love you, Maretzki crew!

If you'd like to leave an encouraging message for Jorja and her family, please leave it in the comments and I will be happy to pass it on!

Thank you!!!

P.S. Jorja's surgery went well.  She is healing and may get to go home tomorrow (Wednesday)!  Thank you for your prayers!!!