2016 Messenger

Volume 22 Issue 1 2016

Merry Christmas family and friends! It's been a memorable year with many ups and downs. Our nation's presidential election has brought about some uncertainty and perhaps some anxiety as well. Our hope is that you can rely on someone who is never changing, full of truth, and gives us security and hope: our Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who we celebrate this season. We cling to Him when everyone else may fail us. We hope you can experience His peace in these uncertain times.

Matt, Cezanne, Emily & Hannah

Celebrating my birthday at Alexander's Steakhouse

EMILY (16 yrs)
“Exhausted” would be Emily's word to describe her first year as a high schooler. To describe the level and amount of work expected from her classes: "a lot." Thankfully she acclimated to high school and finished 9th grade strong. Her summer started off quite busy as well. Right after school ended, we went on a family vacation to Seattle & Vancouver with my side of the family. After we came back she left for a one week summer camp to Hume Lake with her youth group. It was her first time at Hume Lake, and also the first time away from us for a week. The house was much quieter and we missed having her around, but we knew she was in good hands and we also wanted her to build community with her peers. Emily said that her highlights included the worship time and the cabin time. After camp she volunteered for a week with a summer school program making snacks for the kids. In her spare time she loves to sleep, read (read over 50 books this summer!) and make home videos. Matthew says he can now retire from being the family videographer! Emily received her driver's permit over the summer and is now reluctantly putting in her practice hours behind the wheel.

Emily at Hume Lake Christian Camp with her youth group & counselors

Got her learner's permit! Watch out on the road!!

HANNAH (13 yrs)
“Growing like a weed" describes Hannah’s year: she lost 6 teeth; is only 1.5 inches shorter than her big sister; and is almost the same shoe size as me! In the spring she spent a week at Outdoor Ed/Science camp with her dad and enjoyed the outdoors, even with the rain and mud. In the fall Hannah moved to a new junior high school (7th grade). She had a difficult adjustment at the beginning, but with the help of good friends and a great school staff she's settled into a comfortable routine. Hannah does not do well with unexpected changes and she likes to know what's going to happen next. One thing she is good with is names and faces. She can identify and name all the GS Warriors starters and most of the bench players. Her daddy loves having a 'lil partner to cheer on his favorite sports teams! Hannah still enjoys collecting squishies and Disney tsum tsums. She's been an avid youtube filmmaker for several years, except that none of her videos were actually posted online. This year we finally let her publish them on her own youtube channel. She would love it if you would check it out and subscribe if you find it interesting:
 Am Hannah

Bonding with a banana slug at Outdoor Ed

Portraying Hua Mulan for her 6th grade Great Lives project

MATT
On the surface there are some obvious highlights of Matthew's year: snowboarding at Whistler, Canada, and taking a drifting class (google Ken Block if you don't know what that is, except they only did about 2% of what Mr. Block does). But what you may not know is that he misses his family whenever he is away from home. Despite all the fun he had on those trips, he would never trade it for important family time, like spending a week with Hannah at Outdoor Ed, or teaching Emily how to drive. Injuries to his wrist, knee, and sciatic pain have slowed him down but he still tries to play basketball regularly to de-stress and to stay fit. He always feels thankful to be able to run, jump, and use the physical gifts that God has given him. When he plays sports he wants to do the best he can as his act of worship to our creator. When he's not exercising his major muscle groups, he keeps his fingers active on a myriad of iPad games, but mostly on a space battle game called "Vega Conflict." This year at his work, Matthew has been a part of a leadership team that is bringing about change with an emphasis on organizational health. He says that it's been very busy but also very rewarding to see positive change at his workplace. Matthew continues to serve at our church in different areas: co-leading a men’s small group; playing guitar; helping out in audio/graphics; and teaching the 4th-6th graders' Sunday School class.

And the winners of the 2016 Winter Olympics are...

Just hanging at the Mystery Spot; Yes they are standing straight and are not leaning

CEZANNE
The four Rs adequately sum up my year: Race, Rest, Refocus, and Renew.
Race: It was a race to the finish line as my responsibilities at the school came to a final end: teaching yearbook class, subbing, and overseeing the parent group which helped to raise almost $17K for the school. I was tired and burnt out and knew that this season needed to end. After being a parent volunteer for 11 years, I was blessed to have accomplished much through working with some wonderful parents and school staff.
Rest: I finally get to rest and do what I want to do and not what people tell/ask me to do. Summer was filled with wonderful memories with my family and friends. Now as the girls are back in school, I get to do what I want to do.
Refocus: I will still substitute at our church's school but I wanted to see how God wants me to serve Him now that I am no longer a parent volunteer. I've been overseeing more women’s ministries events, which led to an official title of Women’s Ministry Coordinator at church. I've been exploring how God wants me “to make disciples who makes disciples,"as well as mentoring and encouraging other women in their faith (still co-leading an amazing women’s life group). It’s been an interesting transition from 'doing things' to ‘investing’ in people. I’ve also stepped out of my comfort zone to be a part of our school district’s Executive PTA Board as Financial Secretary. It’s an area that I am not familiar with (since my kids have not been a part of the public school system until just last year) but it’s an opportunity for me to understand the needs of our community in regards to our schools.
Renew: I hit the half century mark and I really feel it! I was determined to turn a new leaf to purposefully strengthen my physical and spiritual core. So after watching the movie, War Room, I was inspired to pray expectantly and purposefully. PLUS I signed up for a membership at an IMX Pilates studio. I've been working out muscles I didn’t even know I had! But it’s all so good!

Celebrating my 50th starting with a weekend trip to Napa with my Girls Group...

Getting pampered at the Dry Bar with dear collegues ...

And eating some more at Cheesecake Factory..

FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS:

Our one and only high school graduation this year was for Brian Y. (Michael & Angela's son), who gave the valedictorian address at his graduation. He is currently attending UCLA studying mechanical engineering. He was also accepted at Cal but chose not to go. That’s okay. Matthew and I don’t hold it against him. Much. Just kidding!

We made some fun giant heads for Brian!

We went on a week long family vacation to Seattle and Vancouver, Canada with my parents and siblings and their families. It was the first time in 14 years that my whole family was able to travel together.

We saw lots of orca whales!

Trying to get a creative selfie of my whole family with the Seattle Space Needle (my sister didn't quite understand the concept of "if you don't see yourself, you're not in the photo")

Ended the summer in Monterey with the Lee Family

Whenever we are with the Lees, we eat well!!

We were honored to witness the wedding of one of my former Sunday School students, Elizabeth, who married a fine gentleman named Sebastian. The gathering turned out to be an awesome reunion with many many old friends from our former church, our friend's church, Matthew's childhood playmates, and even from Matthew's parents' former church from 40+ years ago and 3 states over!

The beautiful couple

We hope your year was filled with lots of joy, peace and hope!