This Month at PAYH: Monthly Newsletter, December 2024

Learning To Wait

By Stephen Leonard

No one in this day and age likes waiting! It is, after all, why we have “Fast” Food. It is why we can sometimes pay more money to speed up a few things. Waiting is a real drag for most of us.

Way back in the Garden of Eden, Jesus was promised to come sometime in the future (Genesis 3:15). In our perspective, that proved to be a long time to wait.

But there was no one person that waited that whole time. They needed only to wait for their own generation. But waiting for Jesus is one thing we need to do and do well.

The Bible says we need to wait for Jesus “eagerly.” Some generations waited for Jesus to come as the promised Messiah, the babe born in a manger. We today wait for Jesus to come as the King of Kings, the conquering LORD of Lords! Blessed are those who wait with an “eager” expectation.

We are reminded of waiting in the Advent Season. Advent means coming. Jesus is coming, then and yet in the future, and we must wait eagerly for His coming again. (Philippians 3:20-21, Titus 2:12-13)

So, just as children wait eagerly to open the presents under the tree, we need to wait more eagerly for our LORD Jesus to come.
Thank you for supporting and praying for us as we both wait with eager expectation for our Savior to come.

Strength For The Day

Each week, PAYH shares a devotional; “Strength For The Day,” by Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret. In addition to being a retired US Army Chaplain, he is also the husband of our Co-Founder, Glenda Anderson Leonard. His writing is both moving and inspiring and will most certainly lift your spirit and encourage you in your walk with Jesus. To receive his weekly writing, you can subscribe online at payh.org. You can also read past writings by clicking here.

Building Resilience: Fire Science Training At The PAYH

A huge thank you to the City of Vidalia, Georgia Fire Department for dedicating their time and expertise to teach a fire science training course to the young men at The Paul Anderson Youth Home! Your team’s commitment to sharing knowledge and hands-on skills in fire safety and emergency response is truly inspiring. These young men are walking away with valuable skills and confidence that will serve them throughout their lives. We’re so grateful for your partnership and investment in the next generation!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from all of us at The Paul Anderson Youth Home! As we celebrate this joyous season, we are reminded of the blessings of faith, family, and friendship that give us strength and hope each day. The boys and staff here are grateful for the love, support, and encouragement we receive from our friends and partners. This season, we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas—God’s gift of love and redemption through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. We strive to pass that love on to others through our actions and kindness. May your Christmas be filled with peace, joy, and warmth, and may the New Year bring hope and blessings to you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas, and God bless!