I am not good at Christmas letters.- Barbara

If you already read my blog , there is nothing new here. But, here goes - our year "in brief" - but not nearly brief enough:

One of the first things I did this year was wreck my car. Early one dark morning in an empty parking lot, I slammed into a cement standard which probably, maybe will someday hold a light, but right then just totaled my car. My credit union gave me a loan and I bought another Cavalier because I had liked Jade so much. Sadly, Goldie isn’t quite the car Jade was, but it gets us around and that’s the main thing.

In February, Glen moved out and signed the house over to me. Again, my credit union gave me a loan. So, having filed for divorce to protect myself from debt, I immediately put myself into debt and felt pretty happy about it.

We have enormous amounts of work to do on the house. It is as old as I am and even more decrepit, having been almost totally neglected for 30+ years. I have no idea where to begin and am reluctant to incur even more debt, so thus far, there has been little to no progress. There are always plenty of other things to occupy us and enable procrastination, that’s for sure.

Andrew led Troop 40 in collecting and sorting over 1500 books which he delivered to Books for the Barrios to be distributed to poor Filipino schools. Later he added carload of books that he collected after the official project. That was his Eagle project and completed his requirements for Eagle - except for preparing his application and Eagle book to the satisfaction of our District Eagle Advancement Chairman. It took several courageous visits to the lair of the bear to accomplish the task - just a couple of days before the deadline of his 18th birthday! Oh, then he had to pass a Board of Review, but that was easy compared to passing the chairman! We are proud that Andrew persevered and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. On the way to his Eagle Court of Honor and "After Party" in September, Andrew helped an old man who stumbled crossing a busy street and had us drive him safely home.

The boys and I drove up to Vancouver to be at my granddaughter Acadia's baptism in June. We enjoyed a wonderful weekend - visiting, celebrating Cadi's birthday, and participating in her baptism. She was radiant and the spirit was strong. It is a joy to see her growing into such a lovely young lady.

We are so blessed to live "almost next door" to Tom, Ruth and the kids. The uncles sometimes babysit for them. Tom helps us around the house - like replacing our front door and other helpful things. I get to do Stampin'Up with Ruth now and then. And it is just nice knowing they are there. It is so good to have them close by!

We enjoy Sunday dinners usually at Ruth’s house with Debi and Miriam a couple of times a month and get together for most birthdays and holidays. Lucky me!

Ben had great fun on a trip to Disneyland this summer with his cousin Adam and aunts Kris and Lainee, mostly courtesy of Aunt Lainee. (Thank you! ) We both survived him flying alone. He got to know his cousin and aunts a little better. They all had a terrific time.

My divorce was final August 22. There are some things I don't know when I will really get used to. Being solely responsible for my home. Being divorced in such a family, marriage oriented faith. Knowing that my children have to explain things to their children that don't fit what we teach about "families can be together forever". Not being at home. Still, it is more good than not. I have had the witness of the spirit that this is the course I must take. The boys and I are happier. Home feels more like home. I feel peaceful.

Apparently it is working out well for Glen, too. He started attending the church singles activities when the divorce became final and by Thanksgiving he was engaged. I am told it will be a short engagement. Ingrid seems like a nice lady.

Over the Thanksgiving holidays we had all my children together. Not for Thanksgiving itself, as Ruth and Tom were hosting his family. Debi had the rest of us over to her new home Thanksgiving Day where, despite the turkey being HOURS late, we had a lovely time and a delicious dinner. The siblings (my children and their spice - plural of spouse?) had a couple of sibling get togethers over Thanksgiving weekend. We all enjoyed an afternoon at Fairytale Town. I relished having all my children in one place, a feat not readily accomplished any more.

I have been working at the California Department of Parks and Recreation Business and Fiscal Services for a year now. Although I deeply miss being at home, I am constantly aware that the Lord really blessed me with this job. From the convenience of having my office right by the light rail line, to the wonderful boss, the pleasant co-workers, the opportunities to learn (I have taken 2 Accounting classes courtesy of the state and am signed up for another one next semester), and my nice work station, I am truly blessed.

For a brief time, work was even nicer. I had had the boys come downtown with me - to map my office (they did a wonderful job! the map and index they made for me has been very helpful) and to enjoy the annual opening of the downtown ice rink. They also helped out with little office odd jobs. After that, Joseph came in nearly every day for about a month and a half as an unofficial, unpaid worker. He had his own cubicle and never lacked for work. My unit loved having him. He liked getting the work experience. Unfortunately, "management" got worried about liability and put an end to his unofficial job. Even though we hardly saw each other during the work day, knowing he was there made the office feel even better to me. I miss him now.

At the end of September, my world was rocked when our Stake (comparable to a diocese) was reorganized. My ward (congregation) was dissolved. The remaining 6 wards were realigned and re-organized. So really all 7 wards were dissolved and 6 new wards created. It has been an emotional time, but our new ward, Perkins Ward, is beginning to feel like home, too. We no longer meet in our beloved building at 51st and Dover, and I miss it! but, Perkins Ward is growing into a real ward family. With the reorganization I was without a church calling for a month or so. I was beginning to feel like a non-person and wondered if being divorced had anything to do with it. Then they asked me to serve on the Ward Activities Committee and to be the Cub Scout Cub Committee Chairman. As a parent, I am also on the Scout Committee. I am making lots of Scouting noise and hoping to help make a positive difference in boy's lives. I am a little concerned about Scouting in my new ward, but I am going to try to help make it work. Also, I still nag "my" Life Scouts from old Troop 40, my fledglings. I like Eagle Courts of Honor.

I am thankful for the many blessings in my life - not least of which the many wonderful people who have blessed my life. I think of you, thank God for you and pray for your welfare. I am sorry that I do not manage to spend actual time with you!

Merry Christmas! Celebrate the birth of our Saviour with joy and thankfulness. I really love the baby Jesus, but it is the adult Jesus, an innocent man allowing Himself to be tormented for my sins; the most powerful being in the universe submitting to the torture and mockery of weak, ignorant and sinful men, an immortal God willingly dying a cruel death, and then rising triumphant so I can live again that I worship. May you feel of His Spirit and His love at Christmas and throughout the coming year.