Dear Ones, Twenty years of Christmas news-letters arranged in descend-ing order. The lessons and my skills in writing have changed over the years, making it embarrassing to remind you of how simple the lessons once were and how rough the writing you endured. But the lessons needed learning and the stories must be told. Not to show what great things we have done, but to show what a great God we serve. It is, after all, His Story, as well as ours. And so, I expose our lives once again to the scrutiny of readers who may not understand why we do what we do, to share those lessons God has taught us of His faithfulness. Because they were originally written as letters with postage considerations, proper punctuation (like new paragraphs for different speakers and topics) was overlooked to condense the writing. These lessons aren't really about picking up our clothes, or closing the door, if we open the door, or even how to love and get along with other people, although we've tried to instill those practices in our boys. If there is only one lesson from this book above all others, it's to know God. If you know God, He will teach lessons essential for you. He will show you the important things, the simple things, His things. He will lead you step-by-step through the simple lessons to the harder to conform you into His image. So that in the end, He can say, "Well done. My good and faithful servant." Sonya Contreras People ask about the boys, about how we do it, about what it's like. The yearly letters found here give you a glimpse into those answers. We've lived in the foothills of the Sequoias for over eighteen years. Almost half of the boys were born in the house. We've set down roots, not only in our garden and with our animals but in our hearts where the land has helped us settle. We share memo-ries on a yearly basis of what God teaches us, thus the chronicles of the Christmas letters. Although the boys, quickly grown to be men, manage most of the happenings, I'm kept busy with laundry and putting food on the table. My husband works hard and travels far every day to provide for our experiments. We homeschool and that keeps them gathered around the homestead most days, unless they help others cut wood, weed-wack, or complete yard work. Some-times, they may even throw a loop over a cow that needs round-ed up. Each one has his own talents. Some specialize in mechanics rather than animal husbandry. They're relieved when their job at the barn is finished and they can see grease under their finger-nails again. Others long for the smell of hay, horses and cows as they milk and evaluate pastures. All enjoy competing in sports where their legs are stretched and their minds are cleared. Each skill pushes them to their potential, and extends my husband and mine as we help them. We are asked what animals we now have. It changes. But chickens, cows, horses, cats and dogs seem to be constant. Pigs, goats, sheep, birds and even guinea pigs have passed through our hands and hearts to leave a lesson from God to teach de-termination and hope. Busy times, where eight boys learn to be men; men with convictions and courage and skills that will take them into life. Join me here for the lessons learned from years of life. Lessons of small steps, big hearts, treasured memories and a God Who holds our hands as we walk through it all.