Family Christmas Letter

Christmastime 2010

Our Dear Friends and Family,

"There is a magic in Christmas. Hearts are opened to a new measure of kindness. Love speaks with increased power. Tensions are eased...
"Of all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony, none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child, condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father, here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar. And further, and most important, He suffered on Calvary's cross as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind.
"At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life.”

----Gordon B. Hinckley

In our family, we are trying to better focus on Christ this Christmas. We are trying to refocus away from the superficial pleasures of the season and toward the lasting peace and joy that Jesus Christ offers us through the true gifts He offers us. Through true gifts of love and service we can experience timeless happiness. We hope to be able to extend to each of you our love and service, as we are able.

We have enjoyed another year in our bit of heaven on Earth in Pacific Grove. Surprise! We don’t have a move to mention. (: Albert continues to work for Nova Management, soliciting government contracts for the military programs. He is also working determinedly toward his Ph. D. in Organization Leadership. We’re so proud of him for his educational successes and the value he places on continued learning. He also enjoys playing sports year round—soccer, softball, basketball and football.

I stay busy mothering our four children and taking care of my husband as well. It’s no easy task being manager of the scheduling of six people and seeing to the needs of so many, including a teenager and infant (that is exciting in and of itself!). I am also working toward my degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in English. I’m finally seeing the end with only two more classes and my student teaching remaining. I find repose in long walks and runs (which usually happen before the sun rises and once I saw a mountain lion!) and music and reading when I can fit it in. I volunteer in my church as a leader of Activity Girls in which we help the girls set and reach goals that will better them. I also volunteer as a piano player at church. I find tremendous satisfaction in serving.

Jacen is in 9^th grade and started high school this year. His day begins at 5:40 a.m. when he leaves in the morning for Seminary at the church where he studies the scriptures with other high school students. He then goes to school. He is a good student. After school he goes to wrestling practice. He finds the training rigorous but he enjoys it. His practices are almost three hours long and he gets home in the evening around 6 p.m. He then has homework to do and usually finds time to read good books. He continues to work hard in Boy Scouts and we’re proud of his accomplishments there. He recently earned his Life and is currently working toward his Eagle. More than simply earning the awards (which hold great value), he is growing as he sets worthy goals and has experiences that will teach him now and will stay with him his entire life. I am, and will be forever grateful for his Boy Scout and church leaders who willingly and lovingly volunteer so much of their own personal time toward helping and bettering Jacen and other boys like him.

Linnea is ten years old and is in 5^th grade. She is a beautiful young lady on both the inside and outside and acts accordingly. She is kind and considerate to everyone, including her brothers and family. She especially enjoys spending time with Micah and finds a lot of joy in helping him and playing with him and watching him grow. She is a good student, always trying her best in every academic endeavor. She has started taking cello lessons and meets with a symphony weekly. We are excited to attend a performance of hers soon. She loves to read and draw and she writes beautiful stories and poetry.

Gavin is six years old and in the first grade. He is a good student and his teacher has nothing but good things to say about him. He is very social and has many friends. He loves all sports and recently finished playing soccer on his cousin’s team in which his uncle was coach. He looks forward to playing football and then basketball. He always wants to be playing a sport. He is also a great swimmer. He is becoming quite a good reader and even reads chapter books. We love to hear him reading! He also loves writing. He writes in his journal and writes amazing stories. He has a lot to write about! Gavin is a lot of fun energy!

Micah is a sweet little 18-month-old. He is busy, busy, busy! It is not uncommon for me to walk into the living room and find a chair dragged over to the 30 gallon fish tank and a dozen items dropped into it. Or the bag of flour dragged out of the pantry, the contents dumped on the kitchen floor and being played in. Micah keeps me busy! I really love spending my days with him. Our favorite activities are cuddling up and reading and taking long walks along the ocean where the waves really captivate him. He loves to go to the Aquarium and see all the ocean critters. He loves to help me with housework, his favorites being to help me feed the dogs (yep, Albert talked me into another one—a yellow English lab) and putting the silverware away.

We have enjoyed another year and count our blessings in having a safe and healthy family, good job, warmth both physically and spiritually in knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior. We are so grateful for our testimonies of Him and the blessings we receive in our lives by following Him. When Albert and I were married, I read a quote by President Howard W. Hunter, a past prophet of our church. I typed it out and framed it and it has been sitting on our piano ever since. It reads:

“Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives.

If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives.”

Our prayer is that Jesus will be allowed to lay his hands upon each of us, our families, and the entire world. We love each of you and wish you a Merry Christmas!

With Love,

Albert, Jaime, Jacen, Linnea, Gavin and Micah