Grace! Peace! Christmas Greetings!
Go ahead and put me on next year’s naughty list: I did not send Christmas cards, nor update our Terry Family Webpage, nor publish the annual newsletter. I am happy to say the reason why is because we’ve been having too much fun enjoying life and all of its activities! Therefore, I am taking advantage of the simplicity of Caring Bridge and the wonderful contact list that already exists to send you our recent news and wish you all the blessings of The Season.
Needless to say, since my last update we have come to the anniversary dates of all the crises and milestones of Chris’s illness and recovery with nothing less than awe at God’s miracles. We still are most moved by the overwhelming outreach and support you all provided us. Your gifts and prayers and concern and generosity of time and love still humble us all.
Fall came and we were able to enjoy so many things together. Family Camp with our church, Halloween, and Thanksgiving at the Outer Banks with Chris’s family are traditions we were so glad to resume. I have lots of new photos here for you!
Chris is feeling great and stays busy flying and working on projects here at home. He has a growing reputation as a fine biscuit maker for the ham biscuits once a month for his Sunday school class. He helped coach football with Chandler’s team too. He has been the chief cook this holiday, as usual.
I am playing in the adult hand bell choir this year, and still teach music enrichment classes with the Living in Faith class of special needs adults. I had another wonderful semester teaching Kindermusik too. Our church and the local Smart Start help me offer six scholarships a year. Kindermusik with Gina and my wonderful KMWG families support projects to benefit local children we know with leukemia as well. Next semester I will be trying a pilot program which involves Senior Citizens in our classes! (See LINKS tab for slide show links!)
The boys are doing very well in school; Chandler is now in 5th grade and Cameron is in 2nd grade at the American Renaissance School. Chandler played football this fall (no broken bones) and will compete with the Odyssey of the Mind team in March. Cameron is mid-season in Basketball now and is a very conscientious student. They both sing and ring hand bells in the Junior Choir at church and Chandler played the Bach Prelude in CM on piano as an offertory for the Christmas program and as a prelude in the Christmas Eve service. Their most recent musical accomplishment is tearing it up on ROCKBAND for Wii that Santa brought!
Christmastime has been extra special because my parents are in town. They are “living” here for several weeks in their motor coach at a campsite a few miles away. Mom’s remission is stable enough that they are getting months off at a time from clinic and we are glad they are spending some of their break with us. We had a birthday bash for mom at Kobe’s steakhouse (see pic) and they attended the Joy Gift Dinner with us to hear the boys’ solos. Dad and I are working on a duet for next Sunday’s service. Of course, there is lots of good eating and entertainment from the cats.
All in all, it sounds and looks like everything is back to normal. But I will be honest with you; it is a normal we four have redefined with a new appreciation for the simple things. I know the past year has not been easy for many of you; life is known to throw us some curve balls, isn’t it? But I know God is faithful too. I have tried to slow my pace and perspective and have to say, in doing so I see that Joy is everywhere, even hiding in hardship and layered in loss.
May 2009 bring you clarity, compassion, and simplicity so that you can appreciate your blessings to their fullest and reach your goals with gratitude! Thank you for staying in touch with us!
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