I can’t believe it’s Christmas already and even more amazing I am writing a “Christmas letter” to try and convey the whirlwind experiences that John & I have had since my coming to North Carolina.
John & I began a friendship in May, 2021 and it grew in time with visits back and forth and a trip to see Gayle & Andra by Thanksgiving of 2021.
I was living in San Antonio at that time with Aaron & Nicole & Bob. June 1, 2022 , I moved to N. C. and rented a garage apartment from John. Aaron and Nicole moved all my stuff from San Antonio to here on June 7th. It was quite an adjustment at first , since it is very rural here. We stated attending “The Fathers’ Vineyard . We really enjoy the pastor and people who share there. We passed our pre-marital counseling (yea) and attended some marriage video classes of Tony Evans, which were really excellent.
On September 20, 2022 we were married at Fathers Vineyard Church in Forest City, NC. It was as much a family reunion as a wedding affair with my family and John’s family coming together. It was a very special week and precious to us.
In October we flew to the west coast and Steve Beebe (John’s brother –in –law and his wife Pauline ) took us to the port for a 30 day cruise through the Pacific islands to New Zealand and Sydney Australia. We learned a lot about the islands of Hawaii, French Indonesia, Fiji , & Tahiti . The New Zealand fiords were magnificent!! I missed most of New Zealand tours because I had COVID. But because we had an outside balcony, John was able to stay healthy & with me in the cabin for the 8 day quarantine. God is good to us ! We enjoyed Sydney especially and had a great Honey Moon. John says , he’s grateful I “didn’t throw him overboard.” Turn over
We came back to NC on the 8Th of November and the “whirlwind” began. I had to move all my stuff from the Garage and Apartment into John’s home . We are still organizing , sorting and moving ; I know thinks it will never end!!!
This past Thanksgiving I was able to meet Katrina & Jeff (Kristia’s daughter & husband). They stayed with us during their visit;. We really enjoyed the family time and Thanksgiving dinner together. We watched movies and completed a jigsaw puzzle together. Savannah, Kristia’s younger daughter, entered the working world with her first salaried job at Subway. We visited her at work one day.
Forest City had real small town Christmas Lighting ceremony which we all attended as a family on November 25. They really make things look festive and bright with lights in the trees, lighted displays of old fashioned cars & angels & snowflakes, etc. I wish you all could be here with us and see it.
Now it’s already December 5 and I am ahead for Christmas because the tree is lighted and decorated thanks to Jeff & Katrina & Kristia. I have a beautiful little village lighted houses on the mantle painted by Kristia.
This Saturday I will host a table and decorate it for the women’s ministry event. Not as grand as what Di and I did at Shorline but I hope it will be a blessing. I am just getting to know some of the people at the church.
I miss you all very much, but within my heart I know God brought John & me to this place , space and time to share a portion of our earthly life together. There truly is no greater love than the Father for the children !!! He knows all needs & meets them , if we let Him & trust Him.
John & I are both so grateful and blessed beyond measure for the coming together of our lives & we hope & pray God will again bring His happiness & peace in a safe and welcoming world.
So, we wish you lots of hot chocolate , caroling, Christmas movies, and family gatherings & good food for this Christmas season! But most of all , we pray God and our Savior Jesus Christ will radiate His love in you and through you ; so we will all shine to light up the ever growing darkness in the world with His Peace, Joy, Love and Hope.