Merry Christmas!

 "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth..."
 
It's that time of year again, Christmas in all its glory. As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, it's time to reflect, once again, on the challenges and blessings of the past year. It's been another eventful year for us, one that is best shown in pictures, but I'll start with a few notable events.

After spending a year and a half at Gardenside in Fairbury, Mom contracted Covid for the second time in 6 months, and wasn't able to overcome it. She joined Dad in Heaven on April 17th, just four days shy of her 89th birthday. 

Bill's Dad also had Covid this summer, and spent some time in the hospital before moving to Heritage temporarily, after he fell. He spent several months living with Bill's sister, JoAnn, and her husband, Bill, but he is back at Heritage now. He has some mobility issues, but he's doing pretty well for a man whose 99th birthday is fast approaching.

Levi started working at McDonald's in the spring, and enjoys working full time. He finally learned how to ride a bike this summer, so he has been biking all over town. In his free time, he has been honing his whittling skills. He also sings with the worship team at church, and composes and plays beautiful songs for the piano.

Bill and I both enjoyed attending our respective class reunions in June. It was good to catch up with old friends.

Victoria and Caleb became engaged on New Year's Day, and were married on August 5th. They bought a small "fixer-upper" in Minatare, just a few miles away from us, and have been working hard on their renovations. Caleb works as a manager at a fitness center, while Victoria continues to pet-sit occasionally. Their own pets include a ferret named Noodle, and a black mouth cur (a dog) named Lindy. Our aging Shi-poo, Jackson, and black and white cat, Kid, also moved with Victoria.

The whole family

Son-in-law, Andy, is still teaching high school, and daughter, Meagan, is still homeschooling their kids and working part time, mostly from home, as a pastoral assistant. She took a little time off to give birth to Lucy LaRae, who was born on September 7th. Both Mom and baby are doing well. Except for her red hair, Lucy looks a lot like her siblings, who love her immensely. The kids would also like you to know that they currently have a golden doodle named Milly, and three orange, female kittens.

Ari and Tobin, Lydia with Lucy, Evie and Ruthie


Will and Anna
                       
Erin and Reed are flourishing in Ohio. Reed still works from home, while Erin is a professor and the chair of the music and art departments at Muskingum University. She published a new book this summer, entitled Flaco's Legacy. Bill and I were pleased to be able to fly to Columbus for Thanksgiving, so we could meet their newest family member, Anna Elizabeth, who was born on October 30th. After spending 11 days in NICU to monitor some breathing issues, Anna is thriving and growing well at home. (She is the first grandchild to have dark hair like mine!) Will loves his baby sister, and he loves his preschool, too.

I am so thankful that Bill finally has adequate staff at work, so he doesn't have to work quite as much. No matter how busy Bill is, though, he always makes time, every spring and summer, to coach pole vaulting and compete in a few meets himself. He also made time to help move our garden this spring; we installed raised beds in a nice, sunny location and harvested bumper crops of various herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.

I've spent the last few months battling some annoying health issues and helping to plan several events: a funeral and a wedding, Vacation Bible School, and a women's retreat. I also finally had time this fall to publish my newest children's book, Shine!, which is available on Amazon. (Or, you can get one directly from me, if that works better for you.) This book explores all of the lights God has given us, ultimately comparing an eclipse to Jesus' death and resurrection. My illustrator out-did herself; I know you will love the gorgeous illustrations in this book.

Now, as we are counting down the days, we pray that your Christmas will be merry, and your New Year will be filled with good things. May God bless you in everything you do.




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