Dear Friends,

 

It always remains amazing how quickly time passes and people change---children grow up too quickly!  As their years living with us come too quickly to an end, it seems we just realize that often we have taken them for granted, and with the business of preparing them for adulthood, have not savored the process as much as we should.  Much of the reason that  50% of marriages today end in divorce is that parents often give primary importance to their career or life-pursuits---from personal sports, casinos, bars, or gatherings with their own friends---just wanting to "live their own lives," as they often say.  The result is that the family is often relegated to last place in importance, and children flounder for the lack of good role-models and proper parenting, and in turn, lack proper life-skills themselves.  Since this is a lesson often learned too late, Jennifer and I (although not perfect and not always successful ourselves) are definitely trying to avoid that mistake and reverse the trend by learning to slow down and appreciate our children and simply enjoy their presence and the process of child-training, or should I say "teen-training"-ha!

 

You'll notice above that three family members are not in the picture this year.  Gramma Dorothy went to be with the Lord in May at the full age on 91 (she said she was “ready to go,” and I’m sure she was).  Luke lives in South Africa, where he married Karlien Cordier in August, and Matthew lives near Las Vegas, NV, having finished two tours in the Army (Iraq).

We have three in college at this time.  First up is Jordan, who after receiving an academic and athletic scholarship to play basketball at a college in Missouri, transferred to Texas State Univ., where he was a walk-on, making the varsity basketball team (NCAA-Div. I)  He's doing well, making the Dean's List in academics, and between studies, basketball practice and working (at an outlet mall), doesn’t have much time for anything else.  At least he’s close enough to make it home occasionally (and for the Holidays), instead of having to fly 1000 miles home.

Ashley, who also attends Texas State in San Marcos, also works at a spa, which one of our StraightWay graduates manages at the Embassy Suites & Conference Center there. She is majoring in education to be a 3^rd-4^th grade teacher, an honorable profession.  Both Ashley and Jordan are focused on their studies, and putting the “marriage thing” on hold until they graduate---great idea, and the only practical way to finish on schedule.

That brings me to the youngest three still at home: Caleb, Faith and Hollis.

Caleb, an outdoorsman and my hunting buddy, turns 18 on Dec. 26 and is now taking some intensive discipleship and life-training courses as StraightWay, while traveling part-time with the StraightWay team that goes in to the public schools.  He is both a rapper and public speaker, doing a great job. Although this is his senior year in high school, he is already enrolled concurrently in Wharton Junior College, where he’ll start preparing for a career in game management, border patrol or some career that would let him enjoy his outdoorsman ventures.  A couple areas in which Caleb is helping Dad (i.e. “me”) is in our newest project, making stone-top tables (www.stonetoptables.com) and in the print shop, where he is learning trades that will make him money for school.

Faith, having just turned 16, is now attending a charter high school, after having also traveled part-time with StraightWay.  She is a doll, talented, and is featured on StraightWay’s latest video, “Change,” located at www.straightway.org. She would like eventually to do some modeling and maybe acting one day. She also helps Mom cook and look after her younger brother, Hollis. 

Speaking of our little "Miracle Boy" (books of his miracle healing are still available at ), recently had his 12th Birthday … we can’t believe he’s only a year away from being a teenager!  He’s making good grades (6^th Grade) in school, playing the trumpet in the school band at Iago Jr. High, and playing basketball at the YMCA outside of school.  Other activities include riding his 4-wheeler on the 50 acres behind our house, or shooting the BB gun (rifle) I got him for his birthday (Mom thinks he’s not old enough for a deer rifle yet), and hanging out with friends in our game room playing games on Wii or X-Box.  I will be getting up there in age (just a little) when Hollis goes into college.  I’m wonder: "Will I ever get to retire?"  I get the feeling I won't.

Melody and Becky continue to perform vital roles in the ministry here, which wouldn’t be possible without them.  Becky (aka “Rebekah”) maintains a full schedule between working full-time at the StraightWay Training Center, as Outreach Director, training teams (for school outreach), conducting training sessions at educational conferences for teachers, leading the outreach team on the road herself, and maintaining a clientel as a fitness instructor (both at “24 Hour Fitness” and private trainer). That is besides her ministry in LifeWay as “College & Career” Sunday School Teacher and home group leader.  When does she have time to cook?  But she does.  She’s been too busy for courtship, but believes her “white knight” will come in God’s time.

Melody, who has a house just down the road, likewise maintains a full schedule between her work for LifeWay Church (choir, worship leader & church activities and interactive software director), conducting an area women’s monthly study and engagements nationally in women’s conferences as a prophetic psalmist and speaker.  Her first and foremost responsibility and primary focus is her two children, Sarah and Cade, which have to be two of the sweetest and talented children.  Of course, they’re my grandchildren – ha!  Sarah is 10, and already knows she wants to be an M.D., and has the smarts to do it (makes “A”’s & has won writing contests), and Cade (8 yrs. old) is a “charmer” who is a talented singer and performer (no stage-fright with this boy), who will probably accomplish whatever he wants. Their main goal is to please God, though, since they love Jesus very much!

That finally brings us to my wife, Jennifer and me.  We are still celebrating our marriage that literally "saved" both of our families, which means we manage to get a little time to travel alone.  This year we traveled first to Europe in May, where I conducted services the 3 Sundays of our trip---in Lugano Switzerland; Malano, Italy; Toulon, France (Fr. Riviera); Cambrai (N. France) and Bruseels, Belgium.  After summer (and vacation) with the kids, we had to make a second trip to the wedding of my niece, Erika (William's daugher) in Pennsylvania.  Since Jen had not been to the east coast or New York, we stayed near Boston, Mass. for a week, traveling down to New York (only 150 miles away) to see the city, Ground Zero, Times Square, catch a Broadway play ("The Phantom of the Opera") and catch a day at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, where we saw Rapha Nadal play (pictured here in the background).

One final noteworthy event, which only required a relatively short trip to Ft. Worth (300 mi. away), was my high school class' 45th Reunion (yes, 45th!).

If you click on this thumbnail (below right), you can see some of my classmates from Arlington Heights High School's 1964 graduating class.  We renewed relationships with many old friends (maybe I shouldn't say old"), including Betty Buckley, who has been a Broadway star all these years (starred in some movies as well).  Oh, yeah ... Jenny attended the same high school.  I asked some of my old mates why they didn't see her there ... after all, she was a cheerleader (LOL).

 

Well, as we stand at the year's end looking back at "life's picture" we painted for 2009 with its highlights, disappointments and bereavements, we also pray, with a new canvas in hand, for the inspiration in 2010 to paint not a perfect picture, but one with abounding hope and the the opportunity to experience whatever life brings with the Grace of God.  This is what really matters, and what leaves a living legacy that is both fulfilling and pleasing to God.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and may the Lord bless you all this 2010!

 

Love,

 

David, Jennifer and Family

 

P.S. Hey, it snowed here in Houston for the first time in years, maybe decades.  Here's a few shots of our little snow storm---snow balls but no snow man.

 

Shot from Our House Upstairs	Hollis in the backyard with dogs	Front Yard