Dear
Family & Friends,
It’s a pleasure to say hello at this
special time, and share with you some of the happenings and blessings we’ve
experienced this past year. We hope that you will also contact us this year and
let us know how you are and what you have been doing. We have missed those of
you who live far away and whom we have not seen or heard from this year.
January
- Gloria started working as art teacher in the Campbell
Middle School. She has a very nice apartment in San
Jose and has gotten acquainted with Elsie and Dick Behren's, Marlene's
Uncle Travis and Aunt Viola's daughter and her husband, plus their two
daughters who live in the area and all their tribe. We miss her, but are proud
of her. It's impressive to see the fine artwork her students produce.
This
year we have heard more often from Amy, Roger, and their children, Nathan and
Alyssa who still are at their Mission Island paradise. They’ve called us using
a friend’s cell phone. And we have also been able to chat using Yahoo Messenger
with the web camera and speaker. This is better than phone, as we get to see
and hear each other. Love when the kids sing, “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.” We
miss them, but they are doing a great work there. With help from donations and
work of Chuuk islanders have built the first floor of a grade school and are
adding the second floor soon. They would love to hear from you. Their address
is: P.O. Box 1140, Weno, Chuuk, FM96942.
Our
garden produced over 800 pounds of various fruits and veggies. We were able to
can and freeze a bunch. Phil’s weather station is located in the garden. The
past two weeks we have registered a little over 6 inches of rain, which is more
than we got all last year. Phil’s machine sends the data from his station to
his computer and he sends it to the Internet. You can look up our weather and
yours (just put in a zip code) http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCABANNI1.
August
- To celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary, we decided to spend several days
in the San Diego area. We love Coronado Island, so stayed there overnight. We
rented a tandem bike and rode all over the island
for about an hour. We also enjoyed the afternoon and evening at the San Diego
Zoo, especially enthralled by their evening program, which featured acrobats
with varying talents.
In late
September we had a great visit with Bryan, Elizabeth, Tiffany and Grant in
Vancouver, WA. What a treat it was to attend Grant's "book party."
Book parties are held when students complete a book or grade level. He played
the pieces from memory with great showmanship. Marlene was also able to attend
one of Tiffany's orchestra practices. She has really progressed in violin and at
that time was playing in two orchestras with other children around her age. It
rained a lot when we were there, which kept us from doing any outdoors
activities. Since they still live in Vancouver, WA,
rain is nothing unusual for them.
What a joy
to have Helen, Scott and the kids nearby. Especially fun are the kid’s
sleepovers. We recently had our first sleepover with Brenden. Helen and Scott
moved into their new home in Mentone, CA just before and after Thanksgiving. The
kids love that their home has two stories. Gareth got a new bed and Brenden has
his own real bed, too. Helen asked me to include their address in our letter
this year. It is The Siegel’s, 2187 Larimore Lane, 92359.
Marlene
accepted and is working with some faithful volunteers to lead out in the
Mentone SDA church Pathfinders club this year. In November we participated in
the local four-day Camporee with about 1,500 other kids and leaders. For
Christmas we decided to collect food for food baskets for several families in
need. The five families we have found have 15 children among them. Church
members are adopting children to bring them some toy or other gift. All this is
helping us to focus on others rather than ourselves.
Both Phil
and Marlene are looking forward to January 4 which is Marlene’s retirement
date. After that, only God knows what they will do. However, included in the
plans are deciding whether to stay here or move to some part of the world where
the cost of living is lower. Meanwhile, we will let God lead as He always has.
The
new year also will bring a new president, many unknown things: Global warming…
War in the Middle East… Isn’t it a
blessing to know that God is in control?
God bless
each one of you.
All our love, Phil & Marlene
4862
Spring View Drive, Banning, CA 92220
951-769-8896
www.philandmarlene.com
