January 12, 2004

Dear Family and Friends,

We are very proud to announce a significant rise in Stock took place on January 12th in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sara woke up at 4:00 a.m. with contractions that continued fitfully through the morning. They lessened in the early afternoon so she was able to have a welcome rest, then increased in intensity toward evening. Determined not to make a premature visit to the hospital, she waited until 7:30 p.m. when one of our neighbors gave us a lift to the lovely modern Lanna Hospital. The neighbor turned out to be the granddaughter of Pakistan missionaries Joe and Marjorie Alter whom we knew very well. Joe married Margaret Ballentyne after his first wife died. We were at their wedding.

By the time we got to the labor room the contractions were about two minutes apart. The Thai doctor is delightful and was willing to allow David and us to be there. He had a very positive, encouraging manner. He kept telling Sara she could have various means of sedating the pain but at the same time encouraged her to keep trying to have it naturally. She stuck it out bravely and Joshua Frederal Treece made his dramatic entrance into the world at 11:20 p.m. He is a beautiful healthy boy, just under eight pounds. You can imagine how proud and happy we all are, as well as grateful to the Lord for helping us in all details. Sara has a few stitches and will probably stay in the hospital until tomorrow.

Joshua is our 14th grandchild. We now have eight grandsons and six granddaughters, all of whom are unique, extra special talented individuals who delight our hearts. The Lord is so good!

We plan to be here until January 27. Paul and Pat and children arrive in Chiang Mai on January 17 and will be with Sara and David until mid February. It will be wonderful to have that time together.

Thank you for the many prayers and encouraging notes received.

In Christ,

Margie and Fred Stock

The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 198