Christmas 2007

From Dorothea:

I am singing in the choir with Gordy at House of Hope—this morning and then tomorrow evening, Christmas eve. I am loving it! Seems funny for us to not have our kids at home. We will not see them until we are in Berlin, on the day after Christmas! We are excited. And then the next day, Eric, Sarah, Lucy, and Mara arrive for a week together. So, we will be sending Schone Grusse to you from Germany in just a few days. And, for now, a very Merry Christmas to all!

We talked to Mara and Gianfranco this morning, who were just coming from church services. Then tomorrow on Christmas eve they both have services beginning at dusk. Then Mara goes to Gianfranco's church, where she will help him with the children's choir for the family service and then sing in the 11 o'clock service. And she says that she feels just fine through all of this! Do all of you know that she is pregnant?!! We are just thrilled!

We have been making plans with Elizabeth for our arrival in Berlin. This year a lot of our family things are on her shoulders. What will eat, little stocking stuffers, German Christmas ornaments. Different for us and really fun! She will be with her German family—Benny, whom some of you met—on Christmas day and Christmas eve. And then we all come.

Eric got another chapter in his dissertation done last week. Getting ever closer! They are in N. Carolina with Neal's family, returning to NYC on Christmas day and then flying to Germany on the next day. Sarah was working on a wonderful video of the kids in her school when I was there last. It had been one of the so-called failing schools a couple of years ago, and now is one of the top 10 schools in all the boroughs, based on test scores. The kids looked so happy and engaged in the video. And then there is Lucy—what can I say! Such a complete joy for me.

We love you!
Dorothea and Gordy

From Doris:

Happy New Year! We had lots eating,…puzzles, (warning: Don't buy artists pictures on puzzles unless is a good puzzle maker too—but the Moose puzzle from Wyoming is done), snowmobiling, snowpeople now populate our back yard, artists and writers were busy writing and delivering messages (birthday wishes, questions about game playing, eating, menus), gifts and surprises that delight and excite, photos taken (already the times and events are fading - do our many photos blunt our ability to remember without aid), hot tub conversation, late night games and movies, talking, laughing, playing.

Now wipe up the tracks, vacuum up the tidbits left, wash the bedding, put
away and put away little treasures and count our blessings as we work.

Loving all of you and sending my greetings, Doris

Oh yes! Special greetings for Mara and her little duplicate. Take good
care!

From Donna and Arleon:

Arleon reported last year that he had temporarily flunked retirement and after 43 years t other endeavors in the Church had come back into “ministry”, i.e. pastoral ministry. Well, it happened again in 2007. You see, Donna had been appointed to a one-fourth time pastoral chre with two churches. After vacation this summer she decided she was just TOO old to be doing two services on a Sunday morning. And she asked Arleon to be her associate—well, the District Superintendent decided to make things kosher—Arleon better be appointed too. So, now he is appointed Alpha United Methodist church, a burgeoning congregation of 12 people on a good Sunday at what he figures must e about one-sixteenth time. He now shepherds a flock the same size as Jesus’. Consequently, he has great financial security, wealth and something to live for! And like Jesus, he will have historic global influence. He reports it is mostly fun.

One of he most exiting things that we are doing together is leading a process to create Elgin’s Future as a community. Donna chairs the organizing committee and Arleon is co-process leader. On Nov. 1, some 56 representatives of 20 of our 22 community organizations came together to envision “Elgin, 2023.” We now have several Task Forces at work on such as Economic Development, Main Street Revitalization and City Beautification, Quality of Life, Community Safety, etc.

Christmas Dinner

Roast Is Done

J Alex and Robyn are spending Christmas in California, first with Rob and Mary in Alameda and then down to Donna and John Banks in Morrow Bay. So now for the first time ever, we spent our Christmas eve dinner at Bruce and Mary Fishbacks—now so regular it is almost a tradition—without our son. Perhaps to compensate, we wandered around downtown Portland and had a Gorge Whiskey at the Hotel.

Brendon and His Cousins

Max and Brendon, a couple of nieces and a husband with their children, and us for the dinner. Not the large gatherings in past years but as usual sumptuous food and wonderfully decorated house.

J Alex Calls Us


The Bread and Ink was written up for Mary’s waffle window featuring Greek waffles. Brendon having switched to zoology is now taking his basic biology sequence. Max is tackling anatomy, sport psychology, and some random classes.
Opening Presents


One of the best Christmas gifts this year came from Sandy, “Music for Compline,” CD of music by Tallis, Byrd, Sheppard, and others. At 400 years old, perhaps a bit dated but I’m probably in heaven.
Sandy