Work, work, work
Matt has survived several rounds of layoffs at his job at Bergstrom. We’ve been looking for something new closer to home, but it has been slim pickin’s these days. We’re thankful he is working and are being patient as we job hunt. Sara is still with Allured Publishing, and just before Christmas, she accepted a job promotion. She is now managing editor of GCI (Global Cosmetics Industry). It will be an exciting change of pace and responsibility. She also is freelancing a few hours a week to build a foundation for a future at-home business in writing and editing.

Movin’ south
We’re staying put, but Sara’s parents finally decided they’d had enough hot and humid summers and winter blizzards in Iowa. They headed to Arizona in October to visit for the winter, and within two months sold the house in Spencer and bought another in Tucson. Fortunately for them, Sara’s parents happened to be in Arizona shortly before we came for a week to visit her sister Gina. We spent half our week enjoying family and helping mom and dad move and the other half sightseeing, including a hike in the Catalina mountains where we were engaged in ’98.

Aside from helping Sara’s parents move twice, we helped two couples in the area move this summer. We know we’ll have plenty of helpers when it finally comes our turn. Yes, we are still at the same apts, but we hope to move on sometime next year and have enjoyed house-hunting.

Also …
We’ve also been helping with first grade Sunday School at church. It is organized chaos with a frighteningly disproportionate number of kids to the two of us, but it has definitely been a learning experience.

You also may not recognize Sara’s face next year. She finally caved in to a new prescription and will be wearing glasses full-time.

We look forward to an exciting new year and hope to see more of you in 2002. We’ll try to be more timely with next year’s “Christmas letter” as well!

With Love,

Matt & Sara