It has been another blessed year for the Gardiners! In our second year now as Wisconsin residents, it seems like we've just arrived. There's no place where the atmosphere feels more like Christmas than in Wisconsin. This fall, Lesley began at the University of Wisconsin as a Master's Degree student. She will become a nurse practicioner after graduation. She continues to be employed by the Memorial Hospital of Oconomowoc as a homecare nurse while she goes to school. Rick entered his second year as a prep school teacher at the University Lake School in September. This year he will coach soccer and softball, and he has taken on the position as the Social Studies' Deparment chair. His class load includes the following: American Government, American History, Advanced Placement History, and Intro to Philosophy. Rick also taught a couple of summer school classes this year. Rick was asked to preach at a local church two Sundays in June, and in September he began teaching the adult Sunday School class. In addition to our busy schedules, we have been doing a lot of working out this year at the local spa, but we still have a long way to go. The holiday season is usually an unhealthy time.

Rick & Lesley Gardiner 423 S. Main Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Phone (414)569-0002

We've had a couple of visits this year.  Lesley's parents and Rick's mom were here in June. We did the typical Wisconsin tourism. The Rev. Mark Makinney was in Wisconsin in October, and a week later we went to the east coast. While there we visited with Mary, Mom, Rick's Grandmother, Rick's Aunt & Uncle, Brett Becker, Tony Hinchliff, & some of the Princetonians. Rick also got to see an old teacher or two at Glenelg High School.  We are heading to Magnolia, Arkansas for Christmas to be with Lesley's folks again. The Green Bay Packers are the talk of the town. Standard dress in Wisconsin includes a cheese-wedge hat (see left). The worship of Brett Favre is the latest religion to spring up in our community. While we are very enamored with the Green and Gold, we remain most fond of God's gracious providence for us, both physically and spiritually. We trust that you have come to see His marvelous grace in your lives as well. Please stay in touch with us. Write, call, or visit any time you like.  Last Year's (1995) Letter Next Year's (1997) Letter