Merry Chirstmas
2008 - A New Journey Begins
As this year draws to a close, we are looking back on this past year. Life has been very full and we have been blessed. We finished our mission to Denmark in April where we spent our previous two Christmases and came home to a great reception at the airport. We had 42 family members there. What a handsome group.
What a group, 42 in all.
The wonderful kindnesses that were shown to us in Denmark, and their wonderful traditions will never leave us. We are continuing the tradition of dancing around the tree with real candles on it, rice pudding with a hidden almond and Roast Pork with crackling. We will remember the laughter, friendships and the wonderful people that opened their hearts and homes to us. Life went on while serving our mission to Denmark. We added 2 babies just before we left and 3 while we were gone. Steve had extensive colon surgery and my loving mother died in April 2007. Our granddaughter, Elise was married to Jon VanOrman last fall. A lot happened in those 19 months we were gone. All my children lived in Utah until we came home and then . . .
Steve, Becky, Dan, Gary, Marilyn, Julie , Mark, Amber
Becky and Bishop Milt are doing great in Manti, Utah. Becky sent Natalie and Emily off to college along with Elise and Jon. Talk about an adjustment in her home. She now has only Peter (17), Dane (13), Isaac (7) Simeon (4) and Debbie (2) (named after our Debbie and her grandmother, Marilyn) left at home. They are all doing great.
Dr. Dan, Steph, and their four children moved to Dallas, Texas in August, where Dan accepted a position of President of Argosy University. McKall (14), Alec (11), Ryann (8) and Kayden (6) are adjusting to their new lives. We miss them.
Steve and Sally are living in Salt Lake where he is a programmer for OC Tanner. They have three children, Libby (7) Zack (5) and Tyler (born while we were gone). Steve has recovered pretty well after having his colon removed. We feel the problem started during his 16 months service in Iraq. He has been really blessed this year.
Mark and Jen moved to Omaha in June along with their 4 kids. He got a position with a consulting company using his Chinese. We visited them in October and enjoyed spending time with Cora (8), Garrett (5), Ammon (3) and Jorie Marie (18 mo, one of the twins), named after Marjorie, my mom. Jori was born while we were in Denmark. They are adjusting to their new life and leadership positions in our church.
Julie and Trent live about a mile down the street from us. It is fun when she drops in often. Trent is now a seminary teacher and loves it and his students love him. They still have DJ, Trent's brother living there along with their children, Jaxynn(9), Abe (7), Elijah (4) and Quinci (18 Mo, our other twin) and another little girl due in April. Quinci was born 59 min before Jorie on June 21, the day after my birthday in the same hospital. This was a surprise because they were due two weeks apart. That is why we call them our twins.
Amber and Walter lived in our home with their 2 children and four students while we were gone. We came home just after Grady, their 3rd child was born. We were able to join them in the delivery room by way of Skype. They just sat me or the computer on the table and I watched the comings and goings. Soon after that, Walter was deployed for three months. Amber, Winnie (3), Trae (2) and Grady lived with us until August, when they moved around the corner. We love having them drop in every day to see us. We are going to miss them when Walter graduates from the U of U College of Engineering and they move to ?
We have been truly blessed this year and are so grateful for this season of the year to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We know that He lives and that He loves all of us. We are grateful for each of you and the part you have played in our lives. We have enjoyed your Christmas letters and cards and wishes. We pray for peace in your hearts and in the world. We hope that this Christmas season finds you happy and in good health.
May you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Love, Gary and Marilyn Peterson
