2013 Christmas Letter under this picture

2013 Christmas
Roman, Jason, Angie, Lois, and Doug

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We thought we
would share some memories of the past year with you.
Lydia moved to Colorado, while Brian & Tiffany (James,
Justin, Madison) moved to Rock Island, Illinois. Brian
remains on active duty in the Army while James just
recently graduated from High School and Army boot
camp.

Jason lives just north of us in Hudson, WI, while Roman
lives in Minneapolis. Both remain heavily involved with
their music-related careers. Angie is a sophomore at
UW-Stevens Point, about 3 hours from our home in River
Falls, WI. She is leaning towards obtaining a Business
Degree.

Lois remains busy inside and outside our home. She
teaches piano and strings (violin and cello) in her home
studio, and encourages students to use their skills
whenever they can. She also continues to teach music
at Baldwin Christian School once a week, arranges music
for them, and then conducts the Christmas Program.
This year she tackled “Jesu Joy” by Bach and the famous
“Canon in D” by Pachelbel, adapting Christmas words to
it. Coming up in 2014 will be the Spring and Graduation
Programs as well as a Music Recital for her students in
May. For her enjoyment, Lois plays violin in our local
symphony and keeps current on the piano by supporting
local churches and choirs. Her health is good, her energy
boundless, and her spirit for music lives on in every
student she has the opportunity to teach.

Doug completed his Masters in Bible Exposition in April.
He now facilitates a weekly Bible Study at the River Falls
Public Library, which keeps him challenged to be
prepared. He was also diagnosed with Lyme disease in
the summer, then had major shoulder surgery in late
October. In 2014, Doug will resume driving his school
bus route. In his ninth year, he still loves working with
the kids (110 daily) and the rapport he has built with their
parents. He pursues his fresh and saltwater aquarium
hobby, as well as his favorite NFL team: Go Eagles!
Overall, we have been greatly blessed this past year in
many ways. As we grow older, our faith becomes more
dear to us…as we realize just how precious our
relationships are with each other and with all of you.

Our Travels
Since a surprise birthday party for Peter (Doug’s brother)
was planned for June 28th, we decided to head East.
After staying with Sam & Sieglind Hadley in Danville, IL,
we drove to visit with Walter & Betty Meyer in Ambler, PA.
Thanks to their hospitality, we were able to see several
sites in Philadelphia (where Doug grew up) and then our
friends Ursula and Bernie in Manchester, NJ, as well as
Seaside Heights. The following day we saw the Liberty
Bell and visited the Franklin (U.S.) Mint. Then we drove
to Aston, PA where Tim Pinkston provided info on current
USMC M-31 Arresting Gear equipment. We then rejoined
Walter & Betty for a great dinner at their favorite German
restaurant; the following morning we visited Longwood
Gardens (Kennett Square, PA) with Tim & Sarah. What a
beautiful place set aside for flowers and trees! From there
we drove to Quantico, VA and met friends Cindy & Greg
in Stafford, then onward to Virginia Beach and surprised
Peter, our main destination.

Our return trip home went quickly, as we visited Debbie &
Ralph (Staunton, VA) and then Sam, Sieglind, and Alfred
in Danville. We then stopped to see Andy & Meg in
Madison, WI before arriving home. However, two weeks
later Sam & SIeglind visited us in our home! At the end of
summer, we drove to see Tiffany, Brian and family in
Rock Island, then the following day Doug drove to
Rhinelander, WI to a major saltwater reef and fish display
and distributor. There have been other short trips and
events here-and-there too, but each time God was good
to us as our travel plans worked out extremely well!

Plans for the New Year
We wait upon the Lord to direct our lives in the upcoming
year…right now, we don’t have any plans to travel. But
that doesn’t mean we won’t!

Our prayers are with you as we celebrate the birth of our
Savior and the Good Tidings of 2014!

In Peace and Love (2 Corinthians 5:7)