Christmas 2002
Dear family and friends,
As the only son (I’m now 12!) in the John & Mary Allan family, I have been asked to write this year’s Christmas letter. My Dad says that it has been about three years since he sent out our “annual” Christmas card and he has put it on my shoulders to bring everyone “up to speed” on what the Allans have been doing.
We have lived in Geilenkirchen, Germany for over four years. My Dad says we will be moving at the end of this school year – but we don’t know where. He says it will almost surely be to another school in Germany. I like that since I like Germany. And I think the rest of the family likes it too. Anyway, we are getting ready for a big move. I’m a bit nervous as I think about changing schools, finding a new set of friends, and adjusting to a new home and neighborhood. But I’m used to moving so it won’t be too bad.
Let me tell you about all of the kids in our family. Here we go:
Aleta (20 years old) will soon be a senior at Brigham Young University (BYU). She is majoring in American Studies and English. She is doing really well in school and likes it – most of the time. She should be writing this letter since she has become the best writer in our family. But Dad said she is too busy with school. Anyway, she lives with Grandpa Allan in Mapleton, Utah and drives over to BYU every day. Aleta plans on going on an LDS mission this summer. She doesn’t know where she will go but she is excited about being a missionary for 18 months.
Nicole (also 20 years old – they’re twins in case you didn’t know) will also be a senior at BYU in January 2003. She is majoring in civil engineering and she really likes it. She is really smart but she also has to work really hard to keep up with all of the math and engineering classes. She also lives with Grandpa Allan and enjoys the slower pace of life in Mapleton. She plans on going straight through to finish her degree in engineering. Then, she isn’t sure what she will do.
Aimee (17 years old) is a senior at AFNORTH International High School. She just got her driver’s license but we’re all scared to let her drive. We let Dad go alone with her. She did really well in high school but she is ready for the big move to Provo, Utah. She will be going to BYU and living in the Helaman Halls dormitories. Nicole and Grandpa Allan will be close by to watch her. She plans on majoring in civil engineering since she loves math and science. She says she is excited about living on her own and looks forward to the challenges ahead.
Sarah (8 years old) is and always will be the “baby” in the family. She was born in Iceland but she doesn’t remember much other than her life in Germany. She is in the third grade German immersion class at my Dad’s school. She loves to read and her teacher (who used to be my teacher in 3rd grade) told me she is doing really well. She loves to draw and paint and even had one of her pastel paintings published in a magazine last year.
I (John – age 12) am my mother and father’s favorite son (I’m the only son). I am in 7th grade and at the AFNORTH International Middle School. I completed 7 years with my Dad as my principal and now I’m free (I actually miss my old school). I now have seven different classes with seven different teachers. I am taking high school German and am excited about learning the language better. My Dad says he thinks I should go on a German speaking mission – so I’m beginning to prepare myself. My dream is to one day drive a Ferrari. Anyone out there have one?
Mom is growing younger each year. She says that by the time I’m 25, she’ll be the same age. I’m looking forward to that! Anyway, Mom is very busy being Mom. She is the one who keeps her three at-home kids on schedule with Church events, homework, athletic contests, appointments with friends, etc. She feeds us, clothes us, and helps us to keep our rooms and ourselves in order. She is great! I don’t know what I will ever do when I have to leave her (I’m checking to see if I can take her to college and on my mission with me). She still teaches about 14 piano students – plus all of her own children. She is in the Primary Presidency and does all of the music for our Church. I sometimes get tired just thinking about all the work she does.
Dad says he is getting older. He now uses reading glasses and seems to have a backache all of the time. He still runs 3-5 days every week. He says that he would have to buy new clothes if he stopped running. He is the principal of the Geilenkirchen Elementary School and loves his job. He isn’t anxious to move but his bosses say that principals must now move to another school every five years. So his five years are up!
All in all, our family is very blessed! We all miss Aleta and Nicole. And soon we will have to say “good-bye” to Aimee. But then I will be the oldest child at home and that gives me a certain set of rights I haven’t previously enjoyed. This Christmas will be a great one because we will be together again as a family. We will think about Jesus and his birth. We will think about our love for one another. We will think about you and your families (my Dad will probably tell us stories all about you). We wish you the very merriest of Christmases!
Love,
John Michael Allan
Representing himself, John W., Mary, Aleta, Nicole, Aimee, and Sarah Allan