This has been a great year for us. We have moved back to Grants Pass, OR. After continuing our job search and praying, Northrop got a job at Royale Gardens Health and Rehabilitation (it's a nursing home). We moved as soon as school let out for the summer into a nice house just on the outskirts of town. We are enjoying being here.
This year Christmas is on Sunday. In order to reverence the Sabbath Day, we have decided to open our Christmas gifts on Saturday. Everyone is thrilled with the idea. They've been trying to persuade me to let them open one gift on Christmas Eve their whole lives without success. Now, they'll get their wish, but only when Christmas falls on a Sunday.
Northrop is teaching the priests quorum on Sundays. He works evenings Tuesday through Saturday so they can't rope him into anything on weekday evenings (he'd love to help out, but he has to work too). He bikes to work and back each day (19 miles a day) for exercise and enjoyment. He still has nail trimming clients once a month in Klamath Falls.
Sheryl is 2nd Counsellor in the Relief Society (and is nervous because the president is going on a mission to the Ukraine in April). Planning and putting on the weekday Relief Society meetings is much more fun with a committee to help. Still looking for permanent work, but enjoying the offices who ask for fill-in work. She walks 5 miles on the days she doesn't have work (which is practically all of them).
North is a missionary in the California, San Bernardino Mission. He entered the MTC in May and has been out 7 months now. He loves teaching the gospel and helping the people there. He writes most weeks and is always happy and uplifting. He doesn't complain.
Charity has completed her first year of college and is finishing an internship at Disney World in Orlando, FL (AKA summer job). She'll be on her way back to BYU-Idaho at the end of December.
Celestial is enjoying her senior year, getting ready to graduate and go to college. She is a talented artist and has quite the portfolio of paintings and drawings. She also has a huge collection of jewelry she made herself.
Harmony is enjoying playing the trumpet in the pep band at football and basketball games. She enjoys school and learning new things. She recently turned 16 and got her ears pierced and wears make-up on occaision.
Angel is making friends as she always does. She's good at math and her teacher relies on her to teach other students. She's being a good example at school by getting after her friends for swearing in front of her. And it's working!
Christian is in middle school now and is going to be on the wrestling team in the spring. He got all A's and B's on his report card this term. We're so proud of him. He's preparing to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood next March.
Faith is the big girl in elementary school now. She's taking on more responsibilities with her younger sisters. She's a good reader. She's already tackling the Harry Potter series.
Serenity is growing up. She's lost 4 teeth all in about a week, so she'll be singing a song about her front teeth this year! She's also good at math and helps other kids in her class.
Hope is 4 years old now. She's so delightful to have around. She's preparing to go to kindergarten next year. She loves to go on play dates when Mom is working. She only has to go for a couple of hours and is always disappointed when it's time for Celestial to pick her up.
We are marvelously happy during this Christmas Season and hope you all are too. We love all of you and hope Christmas Day brings all the hope, joy, and blessings you can hold! May the Lord bless you all!
The Royal Family of Maranatha
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