I
decided not to send out Christmas cards this year mostly due to time and most
of the folks I desire to send my special regards at this time of year will be
reading this. I wish for all of you to have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year. This year has been one of great joys and laughter and also many
challenges.
This
year I sang and danced my way through the Spring and Christmas seasons of the
Songspinners, performing more than 50 shows and 2 flash mobs at 2 different DMV
locations. I also got to emcee and perform with the Songspinners at a special
concert in October with the Velvet Hills Chorus. It was a hoot.
We
had our grandchildren from Alaska here for 5 weeks this summer and my
grandchildren from Virginia along with my son and daughter in law were here
during the same time. We also enjoyed having Mom Sullivan here from HI along
with Ruth’s sister Mary and the rest of the Souza’s from the Big Island. All
the grandkids got to meet their Hawaiian cousin and that was a special time. We
celebrated the 4th of July at the Rock Ledge Ranch and enjoyed the
history lessons.
Ruth
taught in VA in Sept-Oct and got to be with our Virginia family; while she was
gone I took 4 days off from work to paint the outside of the house and the
garage. It was a needed project and I am glad it was accomplished. Ruth then
attended the Int’l Quilt Festival and Market in Houston in Oct-Nov for her
business and had a very productive time there. My wife is an accomplished
artist, businesswoman and author and I am so very proud of her!
Church
rolled on and we enjoyed some great music with Lisa throughout the year along
with some sweet fellowship. We signed a new 2 year lease and are looking
forward to 2017-2018 at our current location as a church. Lisa and I are
working with a good friend Ken Pulliam to put together a new CD of music.
For
this year the honest truth is that life has been a bumpy road. I’m the type
that can pull the dark cloud out of every silver lining; I can snatch defeat
from the jaws of victory every time. Don’t forget, I work for the government
and on top of that, I work for the DMV! So bumps in the road are a daily
occurrence. I understand that as a follower of Christ I always have hope and
joy. I instinctively know there is a happy ending to my life no matter the
strains and pains. Sometimes all you can do is put your head down and plow
through it. I’ve done a lot of plowing this year.
It
was 5 years ago on Christmas Day that my mother passed away. It was
heartbreaking news because I knew I couldn’t get there on time to see her but I
am still rejoicing that she is at peace with the Lord. There is not a day that
goes by that I don’t miss her. Her loss on Christmas Day along with the loss of
my dearest friend in the ministry Mike Rogers (who passed on Christmas Day in
2010) makes Christmas a bittersweet time, and I do believe it will be like that
always. That’s OK; every day is Christmas Day for a Christian and memories are
made from the small pleasures of life that I experience every day with Christ
as my Lord.
So
on this day and every day, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. I am completely dependent on His grace for there is nothing in me that can
accomplish anything; He has accomplished all for me and it all belongs to Him.
Rest in His grace; even if you fall and it seems like all is dark, though He
slay you, yet you can trust in Him. Once eternity has been figured out, the
rest is a journey of epic joys and pleasures. My prayer for you is peace and
prosperity for you, your families, and for this great nation of ours. God bless
2017!
