2006

December, 2006

Dear __________,

Have you heard the Christmas song written by Mark Lowry: "Mary, Did You Know?" It is addressed to Mary asking if she knew that the Baby Boy she delivered was going to heal the sick, raise the dead, give sight to the blind, make the lame leap, give voice to the dumb and hearing to the deaf, calm the stormy waters. I just listened to it again – it is thought-provoking!

Our activities during the past year have been both mundane and spectacular – mundane is the daily ebb and low. Well, maybe Vince doesn’t think so – this school year he is teaching three days a week at the Dental College, helping them out because of a temporary shortage. The spectacular has been our trips. In May, we flew out to Mark’s, who is now living near Carson City, NV but still teaching at Lake Tahoe Community College, for his wedding to Junel. It was a beautiful wedding at a chapel in Squaw Valley.

In July, we flew to Norway for a guided tour which was called Spectacular Norway, taking Dawn and Bob and Mark and Junel along as a celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. Nephew Steve and Kathy also went along. We saw Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim and places in between. What fun we all had!

And in August, Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren, and Jené, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. went with us to a resort on Whitefish Lake, Minnesota for a week as a continuing celebration of our anniversary. Boating, swimming, sand castles, even turtle races. Fun!

And on the exact date of our wedding (September 1) we were in Decorah because Vince had a 55th high school class reunion. So my sisters and brother and their spouses joined us there. It’s as if we have been celebrating all year long.

A summary of where our children are: Dawn and Bob still live in Maryland. Bob has retired after 30 years in the Navy and is now employed in the same office as a civilian. Dawn enjoys her teaching pre-school at their church, Heather is about to complete Graduate school, getting a doctorate in Physical Therapy, and Andy is attending Community College.

Mark and Junel, as you have read, are in Carson City. Junel is a cosmetologist in Reno. We are eagerly awaiting the birth of their child in March.

Arik and Stacie with their girls are near Portland, OR. Kaelyn is in first grade already, Amaya will be 4 and is in preschool, and Lauren is about a year and a half. They are kept busy.

Jené and John remain in Traer, IA – at least they are close enough so we see them once in a while. They both teach, Jené second grade and John high school business. BrandiAnne is in 6th grade and learning to play the flute, and J.T. is in third, plays soccer and football (we gave him a practice drum pad and drum sticks for his birthday to maybe that is next).

"Don’t be afraid!" the angel said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior, -yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has been born tonight in Bethlehem!" (Luke 2:10, 11 – Living Bible)

Christmas Blessings to you as we celebrate the birth of that Baby Boy!