Looking Back on 2014
with Thanks...

And Pressing on Into 2015 in Faith!

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What a great time of the year, and one when we have so many opportunities to show that we care to those we love most. Margaret and myself are looking forward to having all of our children home for the Holidays. I hope it is a great Christmas for you as well.

Since last Christmas, I am now completing my recovery following months of chemotherapy treatment for leukemia. Had I not had the treatment this year, I don’t expect I would have much time left, so I am thankful to the Lord for the recovery 2014 has brought. I am sure you have your own version of how God has been good to you this year also--I’d love to hear it!

Our aspiration - in our work – is to help equip you, to help you make such a difference. In 2015 and beyond, we will be rebuilding our organisation to face the future, and to be meaningfully connected and engaged with those who need us in our world, especially our families. Giving to the work of Family.ie has decreased by 85% in the past 18 months – while our reach and impact has increased by well several x 100%. We are now reaching more than 20 x times the number of people, in one week, that we were reaching each year, through our events and seminars, during the noughties! – A major priority in 2015 for us will be to rebuild our financial support base for the future.


We are glad to announce our brand new website, and our new logo! Please visit us online often at Family.ie, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. We trust that you'll find the new site much easier to navigate, and a useful hub of resources for you and your family. We believe that what makes living worthwhile - is being able to share our lives meaningfully with those we love, and being able to make a difference in their lives, just as they continue to make a real difference in ours.  I have a poster called, "Priorities" on my kitchen wall which has been a standard for me for the past 15 years–it states, “In 100 years from now it will not matter  what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove; But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child”

I also hope 2014 has been good to you. It was very encouraging to hear this week, that the truth contained in one of our family minutes had struck a chord with a father who – on hearing of the power of touch, and its importance to his children - implemented the idea he heard. His family life has been utterly changed. I hope our words in the years to come, will continue to have this sort of impact for the good, in the lives of others.

Thank you for standing with us prayerfully, financially and in “being there” when you were needed. If you feel you would like to be more involved, please get in touch, either directly or through our new web-site. If you have something to contribute – please get in touch. Together, we are going to make a difference!

With every blessing to you and your family. Enjoy Christmas, and most especially the freedom we continue to enjoy, and I look forward to connecting with you in 2015.

Sincerely,
Stephen Cardy