December 21, 2014

• Merry Christmas to My Xanga/WordPress Friends!

  

   Each Christmas, we put out a Christmas letter. Sometimes my husband writes it, other years I do. Since this year has been such a very different one - especially with my physical problems - I took up "the pen" and wrote it.  I'm not the best correspondent, as people are finding out, but I hope to do better in this coming  year. With that being said, I thought I would copy our letter here for those who want to read it.  God bless  you in this Christmas season... with love to my friends here on Xanga/WordPress ~ Carolyn

  

   

  CHRISTMAS, 2014 : A Year Full of Changes

  I (Carolyn) began having severe back pain back in June, and beginning July 27^th with a trip to E.R. through Nov. 29^th, about the only trips away from home were those taking me to doctors for pain treatments, or P.T.  Changes mean learning ways to deal with the chronic conditions of spinal arthritis & stenosis added to the post-polio and other chronic pain. Mike and Mom took great care of me throughout the worst of the time, and we all continue to help each other. During this time God has proven Himself to be faithful, as always!   “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

  Mom has generously provided a lady to help with cleaning, physical care if needed, driving, and other projects that either of us may need help with due to our pain and mobility issues. Darlene has been a real God-send to us, and has become a good, trusted friend to us as well.

  Brother Don has been so attentive and has been there for us continually by going to pick up groceries, taking Mom and me to appointments, etc. It’s great to have him so close by … less than five minutes away! We enjoy sharing meals and other family times with him, often two or three times a week.

  Mom and I had begun going to a weekly Bible study for women at our church, but once I could no longer go to the studies, Mom began going with one of our dear friends.  I would read the lesson to Mom, and we worked on the study on our own.  Mom had been alternating attending Sunday services with Don one week, and then with us to ours.  Thankfully, during this period that I've been housebound, she’s been able to attend faithfully with Don. So although Mike and I were housebound, we have enjoyed precious times in the Word both individually and together, and have enjoyed times of fellowship with family and friends who came to see us.  “God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' " (Hebrews 13:5b)  

  Sunday, November 30^th, we finally were able to go to our church, and I was able to make it throughout the entire service (with a break to walk); but it was so good to be back in church with other believers again.  While I still am dealing with post polio pain in my feet & legs, the back is doing much better than it was, and it’s good to get out some now. Thank you to all of you who have been praying faithfully for me.

  Our grandchildren provide us with such enjoyment … no, that is not a change at all! J But they are continually changing! Tristen is now 10, and is such a big girl, helping and playing with her siblings. She loves taking piano lessons, is quite gifted in karate, enjoys reading, and loves most of the things that pre-teen girls enjoy. Brogan is 4, and no longer the toddler… but a big boy! He loves Super Heroes, karate, playing games on his Kindle, as well as playing with his siblings and other friends.  Quinn has changed so much in this year! She turned 1 in June, and walks, runs, and climbs, and is starting to talk. She loves playing with her siblings, and enjoys being a very active little girl!

  Speaking of ages, this year we surprised Mom with some special things for her 90^th birthday.  We had a card shower, and Sister Ruth contacted many of Mom’s friends– from nursing, church, relatives, missionaries, and other contacts.  My part was to hide her cards as they came in the mail, until about one week ahead, when I started reading a few  to her, so she wouldn’t suspect anything. The week of her birthday, I did a LOT of reading!! We’d hoped for at least 90 cards; she received over 110!  J We had a family party for her on her actual birthday, Sept. 18^th – with those who could make it – Don and Shaun & his family.  Then on the 20^th, we had an open house for Mom. Lots of friends dropped in to visit with Mom, to share cards, some gifts, lots of hugs, and enjoy some of the delicious cakes – a white cake & a Texas cake, made by our 13-year old friend from church - Rylie who is a prize-winner at fairs, and is beginning to earn money with her great talent of making and designing cakes.

  One huge treat was having our Indian sister, Kailas visit for about one week! I had worked out her agenda for her week stay in Ohio, but when she wasn't busy going to spend time with other friends or meeting with others about her ministry, we had wonderful times of fellowship with her!

  Over the years, God has blessed us our home with many family and friends living with us for various amounts of times – months or years.  Kailas was one of those who lived with us for a year, before heading to India. So people come and go, and as you know Mom moved in with us a year ago, and this year our older son and his wife moved from our basement apartment.

  We look forward to having family together this Christmas – our Marci & husband Gary, as well as the rest of the family!  Speaking of Marci – she has had an extremely busy year! While holding down two jobs – one with environmental concerns and one with teaching at a college, she was able to get her Master’s degree! Our son Shaun managed to get his Bachelor’s degree while being overseas on the last two of his three deployments, working to support his family, and more. His wife Melissa had been so supportive of Shaun as she ran the household; so it was only fitting that when he received his diploma that she be the one who went with him to spend an enjoyable couple of days together in Minnesota.

  One thing that has not changed is our interest in reading and studying.  Mike has kept busy writing Bible studies, and he enjoys meeting with other men from church for a weekly Bible study.  I have read more books since retiring – both to myself and to Mom. We really enjoy that special time together!

  We wish for all who read this letter that each of you will remember that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season!”   “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:20b-23)

  With prayers for a year full of God’s blessings to each of you from ~

  Mike and Carolyn

  (Captions for pictures below: Brother Don, Mom, Mike & me/Quinn & Brogan/Tristen, Quinn, & Kailas)

  

  • 10:42 am
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