MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Wow! What a year. As I sit at our computer desk with the heat from the wood stove warming my back (it's -18 outside), I reflect on God's incredible faithfulness and peace amidst the chaos of life. Our family has not only survived, but flourished in this year of great transition.

2009 started off with the passing of my dear Grandfather, Nick Byrne. I was able to fly down to Seattle for a few days to be with my family. It was the first time in years that all Grandpa's children and grandchildren were together under the same roof. It was a blessing to re-connect and catch up with my loved ones.

Scott both graduated from college and retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service in June. We had a big retirement party, and a lot of family flew up for the event to include my parents and brother, Scott's Dad, sister, and brother-in-law. The ceremony was spectacular. We are extremely thankful for our country and consider it a privilege to have served her. Scott took about 2 weeks vacation and then began his new job as the human resource manager at Home Depot. He actually works just as many (if not more) hours as a civilian than he did as a first sergeant, and we are SO PROUD of him.

I began teaching junior high at North Pole Christian School. There are five 7th graders and two 8th graders in my class. These young teens are very active and keep me on my toes!! We have been able to do several ministry projects this semester. We 'adopted' three sets of grandparents and have completed several projects around their houses such as raking leaves and shoveling snow. Our class hosted a carnival last month to benefit the Fairbanks Rescue Mission (the only homeless shelter in interior Alaska) and raised $450.00. Just today we drove to the mission and presented the executive director with the check. That was fun.

Our family still loves living in the city of North Pole, population: 2,212. This summer afforded me the opportunity to organize and direct the 4th of July North Pole Parade. What a blast that was! We had antique autos, floats, bikers, walkers, and all kinds of participants. I look forward to running it again next year. Our winter festival, Christmas on Ice (www.christmasinice.org) runs in the month of December. Scott and I were both involved last year, and this year I am blessed to serve as the organization's treasurer. If you have a chance, check out the website and see all the ice carvings!!

Kaylee graduated from high school in May. Grandpa Feely and his wife Celia flew up to help us celebrate. Our eldest has just completed her first semester at the University of Fairbanks. We are so proud of her - she brought home better grades from college than she received in high school! That is an amazing accomplishment being that she missed her entire first week of classes due to a bad case of the Swine Flu. Kaylee lives in the dorms, works part-time at the registrar's office during the week, and comes home on the weekends. Now that she's had a taste of college life and likes it, she has decided to transfer to the University of Anchorage in January. We will miss seeing her, but I think it's cool that she will graduate from my alma-mater!

Jackie turned 17 in July. That just blows my mind! She has been working at Safeway since April as a courtesy clerk (bagger). Her job is a little more challenging this winter as she has to deal with collecting carts in temperatures that have thus far reached -25 degrees and will reach -40 and -50 in January/February. Jackie is very excited to graduate high school next year. Our youngest girl cracks us up. She has informed Scott and I that when she graduates she wants to move to Japan and either be a model or a high-priestess. We're not exactly sure what a high-priestess entails, but she is confident that she would be a successful one!

Jonathan turned four years old in October, and we celebrated his two-year adoption anniversary on December 10th. We took his adoption DVD to his pre-school and the class watched it - the teachers cried (as I do everytime I watch it). I can hardly believe how fast these past two years have flown by. Johnnie is growing like a weed and LOVES having us read to him. He attends the pre-school where I teach. Jonathan continues to be very active and currently has a big scab on his forhead. He took a nose-dive off of our Bowflex (which we use as a coat hanger); he was using it as a slide. Johnnie also took his first ambulance ride in August when he was fishing with Daddy. He got into the bear mace and sprayed himself with it! He came through the ordeal OK (better than me!) but refuses to go fishing anymore!

I truly enjoy writing our annual Christmas letter. Reminissing on our family's mile stones and life-changes remind me of the greatness and faithfulness of our Creator. No matter where we are financially, emotionally, or physically, we know the One who watches over us, and we are able to praise Him with confidence that comes from a history of following Him. We give glory to God for sacrificing His beloved Son so that our sins could be paid for and forgiven. It is our prayer that you too would give glory to Him this Christmas season. We love and appreciate you, our family and friends, who enrich our lives and coninually support us. We are blessed to have you in our lives! Merry Christmas!!