Merry Christmas!

Counting down to Advent…as of December 1

1. This household gained 1 new career job, 1 new son-in-law, and 1 trip to the ER this year.
2. We have 2 grandchildren and 2 sons-in-law. Eleanor turned 2 this year.
3. Three people moved out this year, leaving 3 still in our house.
4. Four little legs running around bring great joy to our house. Micah turned 4 this year.
5. It takes 5 hours to drive to David’s new place (4.5 in good traffic).
6. We started this year with 6 people living in this house.
7.  Anina and Tyler’s wedding happened in the 7th month of this year. This year is also the 7th anniversary for Elizabeth and Peter. This is the number of years that Jean’s sister, Sue, has been in heaven.
8. Our tarantula (with 8 legs) is still going strong!  Jean’s birthday is 8-8, which means her birthday buddy is Anthony Rizzo.  It has been 8 years since we moved to Elkhart.
9. Peter, Elizabeth, and Eleanor all have their birthdays in the 9th month of the year. 
10. JR was on a 10-hour work days most of the year at Potawatomi Zoo. David moved out in the 10th month of the year. 10 of us spent a week at EdenRidge, a vacation spot for missionaries in Tennessee.
11. In the 11th month of this year, we got a Christmas tree -- we have never done that before!  It  has been 11 years since David’s surgery and all is well.
12. 12 is a dozen, and we have received and are grateful for dozens of fresh farm eggs from a coworker at SonSet Solutions.  
13. It has been 13 years since Jean’s mom went to be with the Lord.
14. The 14th of February is JR’s birthday.
15. Our Dodge Durango is 15 years old.
16. It has been 16 years since we purchased the green Honda Civic.
17. The first time our family used a digital camera, which was a 1.3 megapixel camera, was 17 years ago.
18. Jean served as camp nurse at Checkpoint Bible Camp 18 weeks ago.
19. Anina married Tyler at age 19 and it’s been 19 weeks since their wedding.
20. 20 is the number of weeks at which we obtained verbal commitment for our full support. 20 is also the total number of legs of our pets in our home.
21. Tyler married Anina at age 21.
22. There were 22 pairs of hands that made and/or ate dumplings for Hom Chinese New Year.
23. John and Jean have been back serving full time at SonSet Solutions for 23 weeks.
24. David turned 24 this year.

25 – Merry Christmas!