Life Goes on in Southern Cali

Hello all,
This is one of those updates that my wife and I send every once in a while to let you all know that we are alive and kicking, that life is still good and God is still faithful. We have appreciated all of you and your support and friendship that you have shown us at different points in our lives and so we thought we would just let you know where we are at.
Anya and I are still working at the US Center for World Mission. We work in the publishing department of this interesting and famous ministry. We help publish books on a variety of topics (New Testament textual criticism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Theological Education by Extension, The History of Christian Missions, etc...). We also help develop, publish, distribute, and promote curriculum used in a variety of University programs. Anya also helps alot with an academic journal (the IJFM, www.ijfm.org) that comes out quarterly.
This past year has been a doozy. It started out rough as I was pushing through the last few months of Seminary. I finished and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Theology, Praise the Lord! Now, I am just a regular citizen I guess. It has been odd not going to school, seeing as I went to school for about 90% of my life up until now. My parents and grandparents were able to attend my graduation and it was good to see them. Since graduation I have been recuperating from life in the fast lane (school and work proved to be an exhausting combo for me). I think I am just about reintegrated into life and society, thanks to the patient and loving help my wife has shown me. We are enjoying life and love living in our community house.
For those who didn't realize, my wife and I have lived in large intentional community house (a place where 10-11 young adults commit to living together and sharing responsibilities for cooking and cleaning). Our house is focused on Christian missions and has many residents who have grown up all around the world. We have learned quite a lot from our housemates and are grateful to have been given this opportunity to live in what we call the "Haggai House" (after the biblical book of Haggai).
This October my brother had quite a nasty motorcycle accident. Dalton flew off of his bike and banged his head against a wooden post on the side of the road. Thankfully his helmet absorbed some of the shock and my brother is still alive. However, he has numerous broken bones and has to wear a brace while his spine is trying to heal up. Please pray for Dalton and his family in this difficult time. My parents have been gracious and have opened up their home to Dalton, his wife, and his two precious babies.
On top of Dalton's motorcycle accident, he has been diagnosed with a rare heart disorder. My mom also has been having heart troubles and so my family is very much in need of your prayers right now.
So, this has been our life for the past year. Often we are asked "Weren't you going to Russia sometime?"; or as some people like to ask "Why don't you leave already?"... Well, we are certainly praying and waiting on God to see when we might return to the motherland. Currently we are in discussion with 2 or 3 mission groups in Russia which are all doing great things there. We are hoping to go there sooner rather than later, but we are waiting on God and going one step at a time. My focus lately has been trying to pick up some more of the Russian language.
Please let us know how you and yours are doing. We hope you are well and that these holidays have been a time of rest and centering your life on Jesus Christ, who is our hope and Savior. Feel free to ask more questions about what we are up to. We love to chat, so keep in touch!
Chris and Anya Gandy