As I write this year-end letter I am sitting in our living room, listening to Chris Tomlin (not his Christmas album, to the relief of the rest of the family) and feeling both relieved and thankful that Christmas Day, (only yesterday) has come and gone. We will miss all the UPS deliveries and shopping and wrapping and giggles and secrets. But on the up side Rick and I can both use our closets again! It was fun having adult children and a 2 1/2 year old in the house, to experience the full spectrum of Christmas...

Front Row: Shannon and Liam. Second: Rebecca, Donna, and Erin. Third: Caitlyn and Rick. Back Row: Michael, Kristin, and Stephen.

Christmas Day was amazing. All the kids were home. No one had to work, and after gift opening and eating, the family played card games well into the night. The older kids really surprised their mom and dad with greatly appreciated gifts. Rick even got a Kindle Fire, which was a complete surprise to both of us! It seems we had an entire house full of Santa's elves this year... (Yea for jobs!)

Our older elves are all either working or going to school or both. Michael (24) works full time at Christian Aid Mission doing tech-support. He is still pursuing his Microsoft certifications and enjoying seeing his friends at Anime Cons and collecting anime figures. He is still quite the gamer with his newest Christmas acquisition, The Old Republic keeping him very busy. Kristin (23) is about to start school at the Staunton School of Cosmetology. She is very excited to be pursuing this career, which will allow her to put her creativity to good use. She also plans to continue working part time in the evenings while in school. Rebecca (20) is working full-time as a CNA. She plans to go back to school soon for nursing. She loves working with her "old people" and they love her. Shannon (19) will start college classes in just a few weeks. She is planning to pursue a medical degree. She is already a certified EMT and the junior captain of the Waynesboro Rescue Squad, and may pursue paramedic credentials on her way to an M.D. She recently quit her job at Picture Me Studios, but we got a really nice and long-overdue family photo taken before she did so (as you can see). Stephen (16) is a junior at Waynesboro High. He keeps busy with sports all year long. He's currently on the swim team with spring soccer about to start. He is also on the Yearbook Committee and in the Concert Choir. He is hoping to attend JMU and is currently interested both in Sports Medicine and Business. Caitlyn (15) is a Sophomore at Waynesboro high. She is on the Principal's Honor Roll, and loves her piano and dance classes. Her first love: writing... is what you can always find her doing in her spare time. Her newest novel: Skyline Manor is now an e-book on Kindle. (Thanks to the talents of her dad.) She is so thrilled! Stephen and Caitlyn are also both very involved in Young Life. Erin (14) is in Middle School. She made the Volleyball team in the fall and just made the Cheerleading Squad. She is also in the school chorus and band. She takes piano and dance lessons and would like to add some singing and acting classes to that mix as well. That brings us to Liam. can't believe he'll be three in June. He has the energy of several toddlers and is always into something. He's very smart and funny and loves to dance and sing and is obsessed with the alphabet and shapes and sounds of letters and counting things. His favorite toys for Christmas were his Mobi-Go, his Mr. Potato Head, his two new Thomas trains and his kazoo trumpet... (which he had to sleep with of course).

Rick is in his 19th year at Christian Aid Mission. He finally got an assistant this year and is very grateful. Carolyn is doing a great job and this allows him to get some projects done that have been on hold for quite a while. Once at home, he keeps very busy with his web-design company, Virginia Web Works. He also spends time when he can working on his Early Church and Apostle Paul research projects. It seems like, by now, he should have enough information and notes to write his own Bible commentary! He is also the go-to parent for homework issues, especially Math ones, and loves wearing the hat of counselor, chauffeur, and Paw-Paw (or as Liam pronounces it: Pop-Pop). He also tries to attend as many of the kids activities as he can. We squeeze in some date nights and evenings out with friends too. so life is good!

I keep busy. taking care of Liam, helping drive my parents to various doctor appointments and other errands, bringing the younger kids places, attending sports and music and dance programs, literally driving here there and everywhere. I'm still singing with the Waynesboro Choral society, doing two concerts a year. I did a little worship leading this Christmas as well. Every once and a while I drag my guitar out, but Liam likes to "tune it" as I play, so that isn't happening too often right now.

After six years, I left my position as Worship Director at Church of the Blue Ridge this past spring. For a few months we helped out with a group that was meeting in Charlottesville. That group is currently taking a break and so we are meeting with another small home group exploring the ramifications of life lived in the Grace of God together. REALLY GOOD STUFF!!!

Thanks to every one of you who send cards and letters (and emails). It was so good to hear from you. We are so thankful for family and friends who have touched and continue to touch our hearts so profoundly. Thank you for being yourselves and allowing God's lovely life to flow out of your souls and into ours.

We know that for many of you 2011 was challenging. we pray you will continue to find your rest and your strength and your peace and your restoration and your joy in Jesus' love.

Rick and I and our entire family wish you the very best in 2012.

Donna and Ricky