Happy Holidays!

Would it offend you?   if we said…

Happy Holidays!

It seems to be the most appropriate greeting as Thanksgiving was so meaningful this year… which has spilled over into such a worshipful Christmas season…which is giving us much hope for the New Year…. blessings flowing from season to season.

No, our year wasn’t perfect.  Members of our family have faced challenges.  There have been losses.  But we would have to say that the blessings outnumbered the difficult times.  We are both enjoying good health and there have been few medical appointments this year.  We spent a wonderful week with all 13 of us in a mountain cabin in the Smokies.  There were trips to Michigan and Ohio to see extended family.  And both of us walked in the Fort4Fitness marathon and across the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day.

In July we put Stephani and Ken on a plane to Changsha, China and then moved Ken’s son, Seth to Wright State University where he is a freshman.  Both moves were bittersweet because even though we are excited for this next phase of their lives, it means that we don’t see them every week.  From all reports they are enjoying ministry and/or studies.  Ken’s oldest son Ben has moved his family to Texas.

Sean continues to work at 3Rivers FCU and Cassie works for a real estate agent.  Kendall and Isabel continue to bring much joy as they have both turned out to be good students and are on the way to becoming excellent pianists (says NaNa)…thanks in part to Karin’s sister Doreen who gave them her piano and to Stephani who started them out with lessons.   Sean, Cassie and the girls come every Sunday evening for “Sunday-supper-on-the- porch” although the weather has now forced us into the dining room.

Sara and Lonnie still live in Nashville, TN with our grandsons Coyle and Miles (who happen to be their sons).  Sara is a social worker and Lonnie is a songwriter/musician. Their house is full of cars, trucks and energy and it is one of our favorite places to visit.  We’re grateful for Skype so that we can talk to them AND watch the boys grow.  They attend pre-school where they are both outstanding students (says PaPa) and Coyle will start Kindergarten this fall.

Karin enjoys using her bureaucratic skills at Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic.  It has been fun to watch Jerry as he has found unique ways and projects to minister to others.  We enjoy the congregation and helping out at Northpoint Community Church. No problem filling up our time.

So now we wait and anticipate.  The Grands are waiting for Christmas.  We are waiting for the Grands to arrive so we can celebrate Jesus’ birth together.  And we are looking forward to 2012 and whatever God has for us.

Merry Christmas from the Cramers

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