Dear friends,

Where to begin? First, I apologize for the delay in getting out the CD this year, and for the relative simplicity of both content and form. No Enhanced Mode CD with a fancy Flash slideshow or html newsletter or liner notes with links to the bands’ websites. Yet in spite of constant procrastination and missed deadlines, I still felt it was important enough to pass along a word of hope. Indeed, it seems like many of my friends have come upon difficult times this year, and are finding themselves discouraged for one reason or another.

For me, it hasn’t been discouraging; it’s simply been crazy. At work, I’ve gained more responsibilities in the district, for which I am both enthusiastic and apprehensive. Enthusiastic both for the opportunities and the influence in shaping policy; apprehensive both of meeting those increased responsibilities and of changing the very environment I’m attempting to learn about: a 'typical' public school district.

At the same time, I’ve been busy connecting with new friends and reconnecting with old ones. From random motel-mates in New Mexico to old and new Christian fellowships here to observing 'elbow jigs' at the Notre Dame football game to living with my brother for the first time in years (well, once every couple of weeks) - to friends getting married, friends having babies, friends moving all over the place - even trying to set up lawyer friends in DC (did you two ever meet?) - what a year!

And through it all, two constants: my notorious inability to keep in touch with you, and the discouragement I’ve heard from many of you on those rare moments we are in touch. For those who hold fast to the faith, remember Hebrews 11:1. For those who don’t, hold fast to hope, especially given the season. =b

In the meantime, I’m trying to maintain some perspective of this crazy life. Sometimes, I think Picasso is a photographer. Still, I have managed to ask some questions this year, regarding my calling as an educator / policy-maker and my identity as a Christian, both in the context of my technology profession. As an educator, I continue to struggle with the basic 'give a fish v. teach to fish' tension: how much short-term pain do I allow in order to motivate long-term reform? As a policy-maker, I continue to struggle with making sense of a complex system: how do I evaluate the politics of maximizing local resources v. distributing resources equitably? As a Christian, I continue to struggle with the paradox of public service in a fallen world: does technology amplify good or simply enable more efficient bad?

Nevertheless, life has its good years and bad years, and all told, this year was a good year. To you for whom this is not so:

"Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. I will be hoping that this letter finds you, and finds you well.

Your friend,"

.....Elson.....