Merry Christmas 2011

Sitting down to write my annual Christmas letters to my family I had such mixed emotions. This year has been so tumultuous and yet miraculous at the same time. At times it seemed like time was crawling by and yet here we are at the end of another year.  It is true each year one gets older the faster time seems to fly by. In getting out my Christmas cards I had to choose between getting them out or waiting much later with a letter.  I was too afraid that I would never get the cards out, so here is our letter.

The high lights of 2011

•  Jonathan graduating with honors in spite of his health issues. Then getting to go to Nationals in Speech was awesome, the only regret was that Chuck and I were unable to attend.

• Chuck recovering and attending college this summer and fall semesters. He has a 4.0 and made the Dean’s List!

• Chuck started teaching at FACE and loves it. We have really enjoyed teaching and going to college together.

• Jonathan heading off to CSU and embracing his first semester at college. As a homeschool mom it was so wonderful to hear Jonathan’s zeal as he learned new things.

• Amanda is working and heavily involved with her church. I had the pleasure of watching her Christmas play that she wrote and directed. She did an amazing job!

• Thanks to our angel Dr. Earnest I was able to get my back surgery this summer and I am on my way to a full recovery.  Dr. Earnest helped both Chuck and I get through the tangled web of healthcare today and we are so very grateful for his help!

• In the fall I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa honor’s society. What a redemptive night for me, a high school dropout getting into PTK. God is so good!

The Low lights

Having to say goodbye to my Aunt Ruth, my dad, and our friend, Tim Wilderson.  The path of grief has been very arduous with each passing. Only by the grace of God did we not say goodbye to Chuck’s biological father. Chuck’s father seems to be making an amazing recovery. Also my grandfather had cancer surgery where he was able to recover from, but we are still waiting on the doctors to know what the next step will be for my grandfather.

I am so very grateful for those who have prayed for us. Thank you so very much. In many ways it has been the prayers of many that have sustained us through this year.  One of the greatest lessons learned and experienced was how God’s community has reached out to us. Thank you so very much.

From our hearts our prayer for you is that 2012 will be one filled with peace, hope, and health.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!