Christmas Letter

Christmas 2010

Dear Family & Friends:

Greetings to you from cold & snowy Minnesota! There is no doubt that we will be having a white Christmas this year. Our snowmobiles haven't been out yet, but I am sure Jordan will be taking his sister out on the trails once she is on break from school for the holidays. Jordan has recently acquired a snowboard and is now practicing at a local ski slope in anticipation of a trip to out West this winter. I am glad that my family can enjoy the snowy season.

We have had another busy year. I am still working at a residential treatment facility for teens with behavioral & emotional problems. I can't believe I have worked there for 5 years already. Time sure does fly! I enjoy spending time with our granddaughter, Allie (5 years old) and my great-nephew, Ty (2 1/2 years old). Allie is now in kindergarten so her trips to stay with us will be limited to her school vacations (boo hoo). We have lots of fun when she comes to stay!

Ty lives here in Fergus Falls so we get to see him more often. He is a fun little guy and always finds plenty to do when he visits Great-ee (Sheri) and Farmer Paul (Paul).

(I would have to tie him to the stool with an apron so he wouldn't fall off since I didn't have a highchair to use.)

Paul is busy with his farming and grain hauling. He also finds time for fun things like motorcycle and snowmobile trips with his friends. Last February he and Jordan flew to Daytona, FL for "Bike Week". (A good friend brought down their motorcycles in a trailer.)

The weather was extremely cold, but they had a great time riding their bikes in the Florida sun. Paul's grain hauling has been limited to North Dakota the past couple years. (Thankfully there is usually more work than he can handle.) This allows him to get to Fergus Falls most weekends and for special events.

Jeremy, Kara & Allie are still in Rochester, MN. Kara works for Mayo Clinic and Jeremy for Charter Communications. They keep busy with work & family. Jeremy finds time for things like golfing and riding dirt bike. Kara is busy keeping up with Allie's activities and she enjoys baking yummy treats to share with her co-workers and friends.

(Here is a picture of Kara & Allie in matching aprons....aren't they cute!)

They will be spending Christmas at Disney World in Orlando this year. It will be a great time for them!

Jordan graduated from Valley City State University in May. He is currently in Fergus Falls.

This Fall he helped coach football at the local college (Minnesota State - Fergus Falls) and worked with a special needs student at the local junior high school. He is hoping to find a job teaching Social Studies and coaching football. Jordan caught "running fever" this year and participated in several races. (He still keeps his mom on edge with his love of extreme sports.) Jordan enjoys playing guitar and can often be found comparing playing techniques with his sister.

Morgan is now a sophomore at Kennedy Secondary School. (The local school was remodeled and the name has been changed.) It is exciting to be the first classes in the "new" school. She is busy with her many drama and music productions. This past summer she and her cousin Emily were wives in the musical production of "The King & I".

(Emily wearing red & Morgan wearing teal in the photo.)

After one performance they ran out of spray-on hair color so the girls were not allowed to wash it out of their hair before the matinee the following day.

Here is a photo of them sleeping with shower caps on so the bedding didn't turn black.

(They are going to be so thrilled that I have included this photo!)

In her spare time Morgan takes voice, piano & guitar lessons. She currently has excessive amounts of homework each night. (I think she may be regretting the advanced placement US History class she signed up for!) Morgan also participates in Jazz Band, Pep Band, Young Life and attends Bethel Youth Group each week. She has taken Driver's Ed. and hopes to have her license in a couple months. What will I do with all of my free time when I am not running her to all of these activities?!?

The past year has been filled with may good times, but we also have felt the loss of far too many dear family members and friends. In our grief we often struggle to understand the meaning and purpose of the loss. We hold fast to our belief that God is in control and He has a plan for all of our lives. It is in Him that we find comfort. It is our wish that , as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, you too find your peace and purpose in Him.