Christmas 2012/New Year Update

Dear Ones, Family and Friends, January 2013 We hope that this letter finds you well and that you all celebrated a wonderful Christmas and the end of a blessed 2012. For us, 2012 turned out to be quite a stellar year. It started out with us in full speed getting ready for Josh and Jessica’s wedding day on May 12. It is amazing just how much time and energy can be invested in just one day and just how fast it goes by. But it was well worth it. Jessica and Josh’s wedding was epic! Jessica and Josh crafted a uniquely creative atmosphere and ceremony that incorporated family history, tradition, and culture yet was not bound by “this is how a wedding is done.” constraints. I can’t really explain it but it was simultaneously traditional, really different, serious, fun, inclusive, nostalgic, unconventional, hip, and magical. You kind of had to be there. There were Huntsmen and Huntswomen, Sirens, a bell, a chuppah, wings, sparklers, a hatchet and bow, a pump organ, and a chandelier in the grove, We also had a great time meeting and hosting her friends from many parts of the country. No one counted up the bodies sleeping on the floor the night of the wedding, so I can only guess, but I think there were about 30 who stayed here and then we had 50 people for brunch the following day. These amazing and talented young men and women were a pleasure to meet and get to know. They all enthusiastically helped with the cooking, cleaning and moving heavy objects that would have been a monumental task for us to do by ourselves. To those who were there, Thank you so much! I have a new faith and confidence in the next generation. btw... There are 1700+ pictures to look at if you would like to catch a glimpse of the day: http://awclients.smugmug.com/Other/Jes-and-Josh-Wedding/25430942_KfKNFc In June we celebrated an anniversary. No, not our wedding anniversary. Indeed, better than a wedding anniversary. It has been five years since our son Daniel was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent and endured his procedures and horrible treatments with grace, strength and dignity. And yes, there are still residual effects that he needs to deal with on a daily basis. However, in the five years, we have not seen any new tumors arise and the ones he did have, have been completely treated and are GONE! As I write this, he has no evidence of any activity of his cancer. What a miraculous blessing this is. In addition, he was able to get a hip replacement surgery and now can walk without limping for the first time in years. That is very cool. But wait! There’s more! On Oct 10 we found out that we are going to be grandparents! Ashley and Dan are expecting their first baby in May! And that is a miracle too! We actually got to see the baby on Nov 11 along with Ashley’s parents when we went to Bob’s office and did a sonogram. Even at 12 weeks he is cute, active, and wiggly..... and I have video to prove it! And we just found out that little baby Howen is a BOY! I can tell you that this grandma is beaming every day. I carry around ultrasound pictures and show them to whoever will indulge me. May cannot come soon enough because you can be certain that we are SUPER EXCITED to meet this new little man! Our youngest son Matthew, mostly in Portland reading in the rain, is studying English and Bible at Multnomah University and will be graduating in December 2013. He spent last summer at Hume Lake being the Lead Counselor for their junior high camp, Meadow Ranch. They love him there and I am thinking he will be sorely missed next summer since he is planning to stay and experience the sunshine in Portland this summer. Sometimes he dresses up like an Egyptian (for the play at Hume, bullwhip included) but mostly as a hipster. He even got Bob to start playing the banjo this summer. Who would have ever thought that would happen! His girlfriend Makenzie is from Idaho and he spent Thanksgiving with her family as well as a few days after Christmas. We have spent some time with her and she is a delightful young woman who brings great joy to Matthew. She also came to CA with him for a few days in mid December and she enjoyed joining us for our annual caroling party. Our caroling party is truly a highlight for me at Christmas time as we minister to those who could use some Christmas cheer. After all of that it almost sounds inconsequential to tell you that In March I traveled to Israel with a group of Jim Elliot Christian High School students for the third straight year, competing at the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Competition in Tel Aviv. It was an amazing trip and this year our robot WON! Thrilling! It was so good to be back there with good friends we have made over the 3 years of going. I think I am finally comfortable driving everywhere in Israel including Jerusalem! The Israelis were wonderful, our students were great, the Land is continually amazing, and the food, as always, yummy. We were first hosted by other Israeli robotics families and then later by friends who are Messianic believers. If you ever want to do a “Jamie tour”, let me know. I am always looking for an excuse to return:) While I was in Israel, Bob flew to Minnesota for a wedding shower for Jes and Josh. He stayed with an old friend from his Guadalajara days and also got to meet Josh’s family at their farm. On the 3 hour flight there, he was inspired to write a parody of a song that Jessica wrote the lyrics for called “Josh McBride” (on youtube: Josh McBride The Head and The Heart). He recorded it in the summer and can be seen on You Tube under “Jes McBride” if you want a good laugh. Now that the kids are gone, we have a lot of empty rooms and we like to make them available for strays. We were privileged to host guests not only for Jessica’s wedding but also for a friend’s wedding, a rock band that was passing through town and a teacher from a Christian school in Ibaraki, Japan. Our Japanese guest joined us for a local open mic night and he, Bob and I sang Silent Night in four languages: English, German, Spanish and Japanese (ok, so Bob and I did not sing the Japanese version). It was very fun! All in all, we have loads of fun with our out-of-towners, so if you ever want to make “Lodi” a destination, please know that the hotel is always open! Bob and I are continuing to work at our respective jobs. I was able to do over 200 ultrasounds for women at our Pregnancy Resource Center, most of whom are in a crisis pregnancy. We feel it is so important to give people accurate information on all their options so they can make the best choice. I count it a privilege and blessing to be there. I know the Lord has placed me in this position. Well that sums up our year’s highlights. We hope and pray that your Christmas which translates, “celebration of Messiah” was one that was full of the joy that He brings and that your 2013 will bring a deeper awareness of His love and mercy and grace. Enjoy the following 4 pictures:  Wedding Day Family Picture: Please note the color co-ordination which, unbelievably, was totally unplanned! KEEP SCROLLING DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to see pictures of Baby Howen, looking comfy in his current digs.  13 weeks -BABY BOY HOWEN! Keep scrolling to see him at 20 weeks:  one more to see, keep looking...........  With much love to you and your families, Bob and Jamie