Saturday, December 23, 2017

Christmas 2017

                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                20 December 2017
Dear Friends and Family,
                Greetings, from sunny South Carolina.  As we enter this Christmas season we are enjoying a mild winter so far.  The drizzling rain has finally taken the last of the leaves off the trees but the temperatures are hovering in the low seventies today.  We don’t miss the cold of Maryland that’s for sure.

This year has been one of changes for us.  At the end of last year we were presented with an opportunity to purchase a home that is located in our same neighborhood.  It is a single floor open concept design and, with the milestone of my turning 65 this year, made a perfect home for us to spend our aging days in.  We went to settlement on December 22 of last year and left for Florida in the beginning of January to serve at a Sower Project for the month.


We returned in February and headed north to help the family clean out Jane’s Dad’s home so it could be sold.  The sorting through Pop’s earthly belongings was bittersweet but went well.  As we write this Christmas letter our thoughts go back to memories of Christmases past.  Jane’s parents had a tradition of having “Santa” decorate the Christmas tree.  Consequently, on Christmas morning there was a fully decorated Christmas tree, adorned with tinsel, lights, ornaments, and presents.

Thinking back, it must have been quite an undertaking for the two of them to wrap presents, bring in the tree, decorate it, and fall into bed exhausted, only to have seven children waking them up to come see the miracle in the living room!  It was during one of those Christmases, way back in 1973, that Jane and I were engaged.  I wonder if Pop and Ms. Dorothy were as excited for that event?  J

Bringing all of the fond recollections of the blessings that Jane’s Mom and Dad had on our lives, we returned to Summerville to begin the work on our new ”house of memories”.


The home was owned by a couple who was in the process of a total remodel and decided to relocate to Ohio.  The major painting was done and cabinetry installed, but flooring and countertops had not been installed.  We were excited, since it left somewhat of a blank slate for us.  Jane loves to watch the house flipping shows and had plenty of ideas for us to implement.  

We renovated the master bathroom and removed the brick fireplace and chimney, the roof shingles needed to be replaced so it was an excellent time to remove the fabricated chimney, and we replaced it with a two sided gas fireplace.  


We installed recessed lighting in the living room, kitchen, and dining area, and a host of other “ideas” that came up along the way.  It was a big undertaking and when completed cured us of wanting to “flip” in the future.
















































We completed the renovations and moved in at the end of May.  We are enjoying the home very much.  The setting is beautiful as the back yard opens to a large pond with woods as a backdrop.  It has an enclosed porch and we really enjoy the view as we spend the mornings contemplating God’s magnificent creation. 


The pond is teaming with wild life, mallard ducks, geese, white herons, fish, turtles, and there are an abundance of songbirds of every kind calling out to their mates.  It is a real blessing to be able to muse on the greatness of our creator God as we watch the setting of the sun in the evenings

The home has plenty of space for entertaining and works well for the gathering of our growing family.  We had the whole family here for Thanksgiving and were joined by Jane’s sisters Sally and Amy and their husbands as well as our long- time friends from Maryland, Cathy and Jeff Shields.  We had twenty nine for dinner and the new home proved very functional for entertaining a large group.































Speaking of a growing family, we added two new members this year.  In January, Rachel gave birth to our tenth grandchild.  Conrad was born on January 21st and we were blessed to be in Florida at the time on the Sower Project.  On March 1st Julie gave birth to Jachin in Wake Forest.


Rebecca is expecting number twelve this coming March!  Ella Mae, our oldest, turned six this year.  Needless to say, family gatherings are filled with activity.  We were able to gather together for a week in July at the facilities of one of the Sower Projects we have served at a number of times.  It was a great time with all of the “cuzzies” playing together and getting to know one another.  All of the cousins especially love Jason, whom they call “Uncle Buddy”.

Here’s the current count, Rebecca has three girls, Ella Mae (6), Isabel (4), and Victoria (1 11/12).  Julie has two boys, Micah (4), Jachin (9 mos), and a sweet daughter Veda (2).  Micah calls her Sugar.  Maribeth has Olivia (5), Wren (3), and Jasper (1).  Rachel has two boys, Bowen (3) and Conrad (11 mos).


Bowen, Ella Mae, Victoria, Wren, Conrad, Jachin, Veda, Micah, Olivia, Isabel, and Jasper in Jane’s arms
                
This year brought some changes in ministry focus.  Our Pastor announced his retirement in June and we were challenged to consider taking a sabbatical from traveling with Sowers to be more available to serve on the leadership committee along with facilitating our weekly prayer meeting and leading Sunday worship.   As a result we only did one Sower project this year in January.  We hope to resume serving with Sowers this coming year.

As we enter this Christmas season we wish each of you a blessed time as you contemplate the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  In the fullness of time God sent forth His only begotten Son, born in the most humble of circumstances in a stable in Bethlehem.  He would lead a sinless life and give that life on Calvary’s cross for our atonement. 

And the Angel said unto them, Fear Not; for behold, 
I bring you good tidings of great Joy!
    Which shall be to all people     Luke 2;10

The greatest gift that God could give us is an opportunity to be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.   This perfect gift is ours when we by faith put our trust in Jesus.  I encourage you to read through the book of John with an eye toward knowing Jesus personally.  It will be the greatest investment of time you could ever make.

                We wish you a Merry Christmas and a terrific New Year!

Remember, wise men still seek Him!


Godspeed, Glenn and Jane 

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