Christmas 2021
Dear family and friends,
Happy New Year to everyone! Things got a little hectic this Christmas, so only a brief electronic letter this year. But (a week late) we wish you a Merry Christmas, and many blessings and joys in the New Year.
Lots going on. We have Abel with us again, which is enlivening our holiday season, but at 18 months keeping up with him is chasing a tornado. He’ll be with us at least for a few months (it’s a long story). We’re scrambling to baby-proof our house for an active, curious, smart – did we mention handsome — little guy. Please keep Abel and his future in your prayers, and God’s guidance for what kind of role we’ll have with him. Justin and Sarah are also currently staying with us, and we enjoy having them here.
[Marty] As most of you know, I retired at the end of June. While I miss the comradeship of my colleagues, it was time to move on to the next stage of life (whatever that may be). I’m still enjoying the relative absence of structured time and commitments, though having Abel again has changed that a bit! My only new plan at this point is to work on trying to deepen my prayer life.
[Diana] I continue to telework with the Alexandria Health Department doing client visits virtually or by phone. I too miss the comradery of being in the office with my wonderful co-workers. My plan is to work another year and a half before retiring.
We continue as active members of our church New Hope Fellowship. Most folks still participate in the Sunday service via Facebook, though a few attend in person, with masks and distancing. We had started doing that, but having Abel again, we’ll probably go back to Facebook until the Omicron surge is past.
Ending with a Scripture verse that feels appropriate for our conflicted times: “If I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. . . Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Blessings – and much love — to all in the new year ahead!
Diana, Marty, Justin, Sarah and Abel