Christmas 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

I enjoy seeing you at church when visiting SLO. It’s just so weird to be a visitor. And I wish family were closer so we could see you more often, especially my East Coast family. I can’t believe how long it’s been since we’ve been out your way. If you ever come to Los Angeles, let us know so we can get together. 

Family faces are magic mirrors looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present,
and future. -- Gail Lumet Buckley 

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
-- Desmond Tutu

It has been almost two years since we left SLO…moving from my hometown, moving from my stomping grounds, from my friends, family and from everything I cherish in that town...where my kids grew up, too. I figured we’d live there forever. God had other plans. Dan decided to transfer to LAX after American Eagle closed their maintenance hub in SLO, partly to move closer to our daughter. It has taken time, but I am thankful for our new place, our new church, new friends and especially, being nearer to Liz and her husband. Of course, God knows what He’s doing and I’m thankful for that.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Since we’ve been here, there have been a few changes, one having to do with my health. I decided, after three years, we needed to establish doctors for ourselves. I made an appointment for a physical. Wow! The letter I received said I had Type 2 Diabetes, fatty liver, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am now on meds for those problems and am eating much better and losing weight. I still have a ways to go, but it’s getting a little easier. My weakness is exercise, or lack of exercise.

Hear me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14

I enjoy my job at Raytheon as an admin assistant with JLENS (Go to YouTube and type in JLENS—that’s all I can say about my job). I love that we work with the military, which is close to my heart. 

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Dan is doing fine. He still has a job, which is a blessing. He’s able to ride his bike to work; when he comes home, he can ride along the beach. Pretty cool. His schedule will change in January and he will begin working swings. I don’t think I’m going to like that, but we’ll have weekends off together after all this time (Fridays, after I get off at noon through Sunday at 2pm when he begins his week). That will be nice.

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave. -- Martin Luther

The girls are doing well. Liz is hopefully finishing school this year…Master’s in Speech/Language Pathology. What a welcome day that will be. It’s been tough, but she’s been hanging in there & getting it done. Gregg works as an architect as much as he can. His field has taken a hit in the economy, so it’s been difficult to have steady work, but he’s been fortunate to have some jobs somewhat consistently.
 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4:6

Lily, Danielle and Steven

And Danielle is working like crazy, still in OR, at Starbuck’s. She graduated from the University of OR – GO DUCKS!!! She and Steven will be getting married next year in OR. It’s hard to plan with me being in CA, but things will get done somehow. I’ll be an instant grandma, too. Steven has a daughter, Lily, who gets along really well with Danielle. She’s a very nice 7-yr. old. Gotta find a dress! Yay!

We love you all and pray you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

God bless you all,  

Dan and Robbin

Pictures:

Father's Day: Amber, Liz, Gregg, Danielle, me and Dan

The aerostats that help keep our military safe

Liz and Gregg at cousin Laura's wedding

Lily, Danielle and Steven