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Dear Friends & Family!
As we look back on 2011, the best word to describe it for us is a BLUR. It was a blur not simply because it was filled with many important events, but also because quite often we have been sorely sleep-deprived and extremely busy!
The biggest event of this year was the April birth of our second child Evangelina Joy at 6 pounds, 13 ounces & 19 ½ inches long. In fact, nearly every day is a new event with her, as she is a bright & happy baby who amazes us with how quickly she learns things. She loves laughing at her big brother’s antics (they share a very special bond), “talking” in her own way, & “standing” on her own for a few seconds when she gets the chance. Early on after delivery there was a months-long health scare, & we are grateful to God who heard many of your prayers & mercifully healed her. Evangelina Joy’s name means “the joy of God’s good news,” & she is truly a constant reminder of God’s kindness to us.
Jadon, 5, has had a big year of many “firsts.” Not only has he been learning for the first time to be a good big brother (he’s usually tender with Evangelina & can sometimes be growlingly protective of her toward others!), but 2011 also was his first year in elementary school. It’s been tough (for Daddy too!) learning the ropes of having an early schedule, but our little people-person has enjoyed getting to know his classmates at our local public school. This year for the first time he also got to play an organized sport (soccer), & through the efforts of Mommy & extended family, Jadon has also served our local church with music (voice & piano). We’re grateful for the many things he’s learning, but we’re most grateful for the way he continues to grow in his understanding of the Gospel & the needs of our broken world. Please join us in prayer that Jadon will use everything he learns to serve our very good God.
JJ, staying home this year amidst the pregnancy & caring for the kids, has been quite literally giving of herself for the good our family, especially seeing to the physical, mental, & spiritual well-being of the children. Much of their learning & abilities are directly a result of Mommy’s sacrificial love for them. Much a “big city gal” at heart, it’s been quite an adjustment living in the Inland Empire, but she enjoys our frequent get-aways for real Taiwanese food, especially shaved ice (a treat for me too!).
As for me (Sid), this year has been one most characterized by growing in the knowledge of what it means to be a husband & father of two. More times than I can remember, on the occasions Jadon has crawled into bed with Mommy & Daddy (with Evangelina in a side-car crib next to us), I have laid there in the still darkness & marveled at the great gift of being a family with JJ & the kids. We look forward to what the Lord has in store for our family, & we pray that what we are learning in our young marriage (sometimes making us unavailable for other real concerns around us) would serve as the bedrock of Christ’s holy love for future ministry.
We’re especially grateful for our local church body (Messiah Lutheran Church) which has welcomed our family, encouraged our service, & reminded us of the truth of God’s love. One thing that tickles us is seeing our more seasoned brothers & sisters live out God’s love for one another. One couple in particular comes to mind: John & Kathy, who celebrated 64 years of marriage this year. Early in the year during Sunday morning prayer-time, Kathy offered a prayer of thanks & praise for “our husbands who take care of us when we’re ill.” Later, after another Sunday worship service, when Kathy was talking to one of the ladies, I (Sid) overheard her saying, “I feel like I’m falling in love with that old man all over again.”
God is so, so good, isn’t He? We pray that His unfathomable & unwavering love would be yours in Christ Jesus this Christmas & through the new year.
With Love,
Evangelina, Jadon, JJ, & Sid
As we look back on 2011, the best word to describe it for us is a BLUR. It was a blur not simply because it was filled with many important events, but also because quite often we have been sorely sleep-deprived and extremely busy!
The biggest event of this year was the April birth of our second child Evangelina Joy at 6 pounds, 13 ounces & 19 ½ inches long. In fact, nearly every day is a new event with her, as she is a bright & happy baby who amazes us with how quickly she learns things. She loves laughing at her big brother’s antics (they share a very special bond), “talking” in her own way, & “standing” on her own for a few seconds when she gets the chance. Early on after delivery there was a months-long health scare, & we are grateful to God who heard many of your prayers & mercifully healed her. Evangelina Joy’s name means “the joy of God’s good news,” & she is truly a constant reminder of God’s kindness to us.
Jadon, 5, has had a big year of many “firsts.” Not only has he been learning for the first time to be a good big brother (he’s usually tender with Evangelina & can sometimes be growlingly protective of her toward others!), but 2011 also was his first year in elementary school. It’s been tough (for Daddy too!) learning the ropes of having an early schedule, but our little people-person has enjoyed getting to know his classmates at our local public school. This year for the first time he also got to play an organized sport (soccer), & through the efforts of Mommy & extended family, Jadon has also served our local church with music (voice & piano). We’re grateful for the many things he’s learning, but we’re most grateful for the way he continues to grow in his understanding of the Gospel & the needs of our broken world. Please join us in prayer that Jadon will use everything he learns to serve our very good God.
JJ, staying home this year amidst the pregnancy & caring for the kids, has been quite literally giving of herself for the good our family, especially seeing to the physical, mental, & spiritual well-being of the children. Much of their learning & abilities are directly a result of Mommy’s sacrificial love for them. Much a “big city gal” at heart, it’s been quite an adjustment living in the Inland Empire, but she enjoys our frequent get-aways for real Taiwanese food, especially shaved ice (a treat for me too!).
As for me (Sid), this year has been one most characterized by growing in the knowledge of what it means to be a husband & father of two. More times than I can remember, on the occasions Jadon has crawled into bed with Mommy & Daddy (with Evangelina in a side-car crib next to us), I have laid there in the still darkness & marveled at the great gift of being a family with JJ & the kids. We look forward to what the Lord has in store for our family, & we pray that what we are learning in our young marriage (sometimes making us unavailable for other real concerns around us) would serve as the bedrock of Christ’s holy love for future ministry.
We’re especially grateful for our local church body (Messiah Lutheran Church) which has welcomed our family, encouraged our service, & reminded us of the truth of God’s love. One thing that tickles us is seeing our more seasoned brothers & sisters live out God’s love for one another. One couple in particular comes to mind: John & Kathy, who celebrated 64 years of marriage this year. Early in the year during Sunday morning prayer-time, Kathy offered a prayer of thanks & praise for “our husbands who take care of us when we’re ill.” Later, after another Sunday worship service, when Kathy was talking to one of the ladies, I (Sid) overheard her saying, “I feel like I’m falling in love with that old man all over again.”
God is so, so good, isn’t He? We pray that His unfathomable & unwavering love would be yours in Christ Jesus this Christmas & through the new year.
With Love,
Evangelina, Jadon, JJ, & Sid
