Christmas Letter 2012

                                                                   Christmas 2012 

“Daddy, what is that big package tied on the back of our car,” I asked as he loaded our family into the car for the 100 mile trip to North Carolina. “Just part of the luggage for this big family,” he answered as he backed the car out of the driveway. I was turning five in a couple of weeks, my sister, June, was three, and our baby sister was 7 months old.  We were headed to grandmother's house for Christmas. “I hope Santa will know where we are,” I confided to June.  “Don’t worry. I’ve already contacted Santa,” my daddy assured me, with a wink to mamma. 

Christmas Eve I was so excited I could not concentrate on the Christmas story daddy was reading to us from the Bible. I was looking around grandmother’s den at the big oil stove and wondered how Santa was going to get into her house without any chimney.

Christmas morning there were two tricycles by the Christmas tree. June and I were excited to get out on grandmother’s sidewalk to try out our new presents.  Mother bundled us up in our winter wear and dad grabbed our trikes.  When he opened the front door we all got the shock of our lives.  N. C. had received a rare snowfall and the ground was covered with several inches of the beautiful white Christmas gift.  Dad sat the trikes on the sidewalk and we climb on board.  It was too hard to make them go in the snow so daddy shouted to mama, “Hey, mother, we need help out here.” They each got behind a trike and pushed us up and down the sidewalk until they were worn out.

I don’t remember many Christmases with my dad.  He was killed in an accident when I was seven. For some reason this one has been etched in my memory….the love of a daddy who helped Santa get our Christmas wishes to another state, the laughter of him teasing mother as she trampled through the snow to push a trike, and two little giggling girls content with the whole world.  Daddy and mamma gave their girls the valuable gift of spending time with them, building memories that has lasted my lifetime.

Seven decades of Christmases have produced many seasons in my life.  I have enjoyed them all, from my years of being the child, to being the parent, grandparent and now great grandparent. Many changes have taken place over these years.  I have had to learn new technology so I can keep up with my grandchildren who are all teenagers and older.  I have discovered the advantage of texting, and the wonderful world of face book which provides me with information and pictures of family members.  Of course I am grateful that many of my family live close by and I see them often.

The year of 2012 is almost over. It held many joyful times with family and friends, as well as some health challenges.  Through it all, God has been with me, providing all I needed from day to day.  I would like to share some of the blessings in my family this year:

1. We experienced answered prayer on behalf of our daughter, Shirley, who came through a difficult surgery and recuperation for two brain aneurysms. Her daughters, Lori and Shelly played a big part in helping her through this difficult time.

2. Valerie’s oldest son, Clayton, spent a semester in Korea as a college foreign exchange student. This year he is the “Buddy” for a group of Korean students who are doing their exchange program at Northwest University.

3. Sandra, Valerie, their families, and I enjoyed being with about 100 of the Hintz clan at the Hintz Reunion in Moses Lake. It was so good to see everyone again.

4. Meghan and I took a trip to North Carolina to be with my sister, her husband, and other family members.  We spent time at the Week’s farm as well as a whole week with 12 family members at the Ocean.  Meghan enjoyed getting to know family she had never met.

6. It was nice having Michael home from California this summer. We enjoyed getting to know his sweet girlfriend, Lauren, who came with him.

 

7.  Kirstin is learning to be flexible. Due to enrollment numbers she had to move to yet another school 

within the Puyallup School District to teach this year.

8.    Danielle & Darren’s creativity and love for young people are making a difference in the community of    

Snohomish where they are youth pastors.

9.   Dalton will be graduating from High School this year.  His commitment and leadership in the ROTC 

program is preparing him for his career in the United State Marines

10. Quinton and Preston have successfully immigrated back into the Public School System. They are

enjoying new friends and extra curricula activities.

11. Great grandson, 23 month old Daniel, has stolen the hearts of all the family members on both sides. 

His cute ways keeps us entertained.

I have special warmth in my heart when I think of extended family and friends.  You are all valuable to me and I enjoy hearing what’s been happening in the lives of you and your family. 

“Thank God for His Son, a GIFT too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)  Of all my blessings, I am most grateful for Jesus, the reason for this joyful season. He truly is the greatest “gift” ever given.  Wise men (and women) still seek Him.