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Christmas Letter 2015

 
 

Because of the tender mercies of our God, .... the rising sun will come to us from heaven, to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:78­79

Happy Christmas!

Here we are again with our Biannual Christmas letter. We are blessed to have plenty to write about once again!

Sam is now in his final year of Elementary School (Primary School) and has struck the jackpot with his teachers, so we are very grateful. He made the 4th grade honor Roll at school for all 4 quarters last year, so he has been integrated into mainstream lessons for the majority of his 5th grade classes. School has become a bit more difficult since then, but we are very proud of what he is achieving. He is becoming increasingly self motivated with school and is intent on maintaining a "Growth Mindset" (Long may it last!) He has begun to pick up books to read for pleasure lately, which is also a great joy to us.

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He continues, somewhat begrudgingly with piano. (We hope one day he will be glad of it! ) He has also started learning Trumpet through a school band program. In contrast to piano, he is highly motivated about this, and we have been very happy to hear him practicing away without any prompting. He doesn't like to play organized sports, but loves to get out in the backyard and play basketball, football, rugby, baseball or to jump on the trampoline. Along with the rest of us, he is looking forward to cross-country skiing once we have enough snow cover this winter. He likes to sketch and draw and create things from Lego.

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Jordan is now in 3rd grade. This year has been a bit tougher for him, but he continues to read voraciously. (He is the kid in class , who the teacher has to stop reading, so he will pay attention to what's going on) He has read most of the Lord of the Rings, parts of the Silmarillion and the Children of Huron, The Harry Potter series and many and various other books. The challenge now is to keep him supplied with books that he finds engaging, that are age appropriate. Any suggestions would be gladly received! As mentioned in previous letters, He is rough and tumble, loves to wrestle and spar. He also loves the trampoline, and doesn't mind walking, and swimming. He had a break from Piano, but has picked it up again now with gathering enthusiasm. He too still enjoys Lego. He is a very humorous boy, and very loving. He has also developed an adult palette with food, and on the occasions that we go out, will always order off the adult menu - Sometimes quite obscure things like caviar, escargot, shark ( whatever sounds interesting).

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Kevin continues to do well as a Research scientist/Engineer at Philips. Has visited a few places for work including South Carolina, SanDiego, Salt Lake City, Israel, Rhode Island and China. Woodworking is still a passion and he tries to stay active with running and cross country skiing when he can. (He is also known to wrestle with his boys on the trampoline when the weather permits) He continues to be a prolific reader of journals and books, and still loves to visit the Monastery when time allows. He has become a bit more involved in church life lately, not only cantering (like Bob Dylan, as one lady said) but is also a part of the "transition committee" and now "call committee" to find a new pastor.

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Some days we build furniture.

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Other days we make weaponry!

Des is still loving small town life, still volunteering at school and praying with and for the community, still pottering in the garden and reading whenever she can. There is a possibility that she will start working on a casual basis again soon but in the meantime there is plenty to do. She was blessed to be able to have a couple of special adventures to mark her 40th birthday in 2014. She visited her family in Australia at the very beginning of 2014 (and was able to toast her Mum's 70th too). In February, she celebrated with American family and friends with a barn dance, somewhat reminiscent of her 21st. Then, in July she met up with her 40 year old highschool friends (Ali Brooks and Gill) for a few days in Las Vegas. To top off that year, we celebrated the new year with her Watermark teammates and families in Illinois! She enjoyed visits from her Auckland friend Renate Cummuskey in April 2014 and her Bundaberg friend Kay Tesch (and her companion Nola) in June 2015. In April of 2015 she also took the decision to expand her citizenship. She is now a dual Australian/American citizen.

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Watermark 20-year Reunion

2015 was also our biannual family travel year, so we caught up with Des' extended family in New Zealand mid year. Nothing like being in a treasured place with treasured people. The pictures speak for themselves. Many thanks go to the lovely folk who were able to find time in their schedules to catch up.

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Des' sister Rach has had a bit of a rough run with her health. She had to have a total Colectomy about a year ago. She is tenacious as always, but it is a surgery which will take a couple of years for her body to settle into. Her husband Colin is a great support. Her daughters Kaitlyn and Sienna have just finished year 4 and prep and are clever, fun and lovely, just like their mum.

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Des' sister Jo has recently returned from an inspiring 3 month Christian retreat on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand, with her husband and 2 youngest kids. Her 2 oldest are at Uni, and her daughter Nat has just finished Year 11. They are a busy but happy crew. Jo continues to teach piano. She has also had a couple of Christian speaking engagements too.

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Des' mum remains in pretty good health. She had eye surgery for Entropian (Lower eyelid turning in) in September and has cataract surgery coming up in the New year, but is otherwise keeping well. Enough so that she completed all of the family hikes in NZ!

We are continuing to be blessed with a wonderful extended family life here in the States too. At the beginning of 2015 we went on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas with many of them. It was a wonderful trip! Again, the pictures tell the story.

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Other family news from Kevin's side involves the very welcome birth of cousin Audie to Kevin's brother Scott and his wife! She is the only girl cousin on this side of the family, and is much loved.

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Loving on baby Audie.

Kevin's sister Karen still has a bustling life in Orrville. All of the boys are at school now. Karen continues to work in fitness and coach Volleyball. Matt continues on at the family practice. We are blessed to get together with them throughout the year and to enjoy excellent family gatherings in their home. Kevin's Dad and Sharon remain well, and travel between OH and MI weekly when they are not traveling the US or the world!

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A few other highlights of the last 2 years have been:

Camp Luther, Visiting Tuckers Lake Cabin, Cantoring/Singing at Church, Playing a concert at Camp Luther, A visit to Great Wolf Lodge and Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, A Watermark Reunion, Camping, visiting Delaware to see Uncle Scott, Aunt Clara and baby Audie with stopovers at the Jenkins and Hitchings homes, attending Micah Muller's graduation, attending Des' 20-year OT class reunion, Cider making in Orrville, Attending Indians Baseball games and an Avengers show, and watching the All Blacks win the world RUGBY cup!

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On a sadder note, we love and remember dear ones who have passed away: Great Grandma Brown, Great Tita, Wendy Beh, Mrs. Lauthers, Hamish Lyall and Elizabeth Siebrecht.

In conclusion, we hope that our letter finds you well, and we wish you GOD's Blessings, JOY and PEACE this Christmas and in the year ahead.

Sincerely, Kevin, Des, Sam and Jordan.

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p.s. - in case you missed the letters from the past few years, you can find them all here.

 

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