 |
| Dear Family and Friends Far and Near, Merry Christmas from the Snowbirds. We hope 2004 brought you as much joy as it brought to us. Joy, of course, doesn't mean that all goes as planned, but that we're active participants in this wonderful life. Judy found joy by doing a lot of painting this year. She entered some exhibits, started teaching a senior art class and produced many works for family and friends. She joined a monthly book club & next month will lead the group in a book discussion. Gordon found joy by bicycling, recovering well from an unexpected surgery, and coming back from a bunion operation so he could bike some more. He became music director at his St. George Unity Church where he books special music and teaches the congregation new songs. He must take after his daughter, Laurel! He and Judy also co-edit a monthly newsletter for their Rio Virgin Estates Homeowners' Association. And while waiting to get back to biking, Gordon discovered the joys of playing pool. Last winter was all about visitors and visiting . Cousins Kathy & Don, who came to photo-graph wildflowers of the desert; our friend Sue, who had always wanted to see dinosaur footprints; and Judy's Mom who once again proved that age doesn't mean a thing by flying down and whipping us at evening card games. In January we left Boo the cat with Mom and flew to New Orleans for a taste of that fine Southern cuisine, then drove to Pensacola (this was pre-hurricane, remember) and visited dear friends Larry and Jo from our UAE teaching days. They showed us all around and were so hospitable. May came and we went home via the spectacular scenery of Hell's Canyon in Idaho and Oregon. Summertime found us settled in at Deer Park, where Judy raised another fine veggie and flower garden and Gordon broke in his new road bike. The 100 mile Wenatchee Apple Cup bike tour was a highlight for Gordon. He stayed at Dick and Diane Otteson's beautiful home in Wenatchee and got in on many days of mountain and road biking with friends. We enjoyed some summertime visits with Laurel and Dave, and a little camping, too. Mid-summer we had a nice family reunion in Deer Park. We used the trip back to St. George in late Sept. to visit with family all along the way. It was a very scenic way, too...we saw Crater Lake and camped out in Lava Beds National Monument. We visited with cousins Kay and Bob, cousins Vance and Winnie, and saw various nieces and nephews as well as Gordon's three brothers. Connecting with family has to be one of the best joys in life, right? Before Thanksgiving Wendy and Peter came over from San Francisco for a most welcome visit, then our good friends the Tone's from Kobe, Japan arrived on their first-ever trip to America. Tone-san was Gordon's student at Osaka Gas Company 10 years ago. He and Sumiko really seemed to enjoy seeing the vast southwest desert. This Christmas we pray for peace and joy within each one of us, and outwardly to all people because we are truly One People. May each of you feel and share God's love daily. Have a blessed New Year love from Gordon and Judy You are visitor number Please sign in to our holiday Guestbook To go to Gordon and Judy's Home Page, click here |
 |
|
   |