Dear Friends,
Christmas is almost here again. It’s hard to believe a year has passed. With those of us who have left the fifties behind and have embarked on the journey to wisdom and serenity (hopefully!), the time passes more swiftly with each season. We are not frequent correspondents and Christmas affords us the opportunity to let you know that you are loved and remembered – even if we don’t tell you often enough!
This year has been marked with many joys and a few struggles. In March, Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. Fortunately, no chemotherapy or radiation was required and she is doing very well. We believe the Lord never lets an experience go to waste if we are open to the possibilities; and it seems ever since March, people suffering with cancer have come Karen’s way and have enlarged her ministry. She is still on the staff of the Cenacle Retreat House and loves it. Pat continues at Baylor College of Medicine and tries to work at home as often as his schedule permits. He also serves as a permanent deacon and is kept busy with teaching, marriage preparation and preaching. Retirement from Baylor is still a few years away, but he won’t have any trouble filling his spare time.
The “kids” are all well. Ken and Tracey have bought a new home and are busy making it perfect. Their three children, Jordan (5), Dillon (3) and Christina (1) are wonderful, beautiful and energetic; they keep their parents (and grandparents) hopping. Ken has recently changed jobs but remains in computer documentation. Chris and Kelly are still teaching, although Kelly has moved to a different school district. In spite of tight schedules and endless hours for Chris as a coach, they thrive on it. Their girls, Kirby (4) and Kennedy (2) are also terrific and gorgeous. Deb and Joe continue to live in San Antonio where they, too, have bought a new home and, like the others, are striving towards perfecting it, especially the landscaping. Deb has moved to the main branch of the city library system where she answers all sorts of weird questions. Joe is the librarian at Providence High School. Their season tickets to the Cowboys games and their full house of two dogs and three cats keep them occupied.
In October, we did manage to get away for a two-week trip to Greece and Turkey. It was part-cruise and part-land-travel. We saw some places we haven’t seen before and enjoyed them immensely: Santorini, Mykonos and Delphi. It was also good to get back to Istanbul, Ephesus, Rhodes and Athens. We have decided that cruises really need to be longer than a week in order to relax completely, especially when jet lag is waiting at the end.
We love our new (one and one-half year old) house in Cypress among the horses, cows and goat farms … but not within smelling distance! We encourage y’all to drop by and stay awhile.
Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers this season. May you have a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with joy.