I hope this post finds you and yours happy, healthy and whole and looking forward to a beautiful Christmas season with those that mean the most to you. I'm looking forward to a slow, relaxing holiday. We don't know yet if we will travel out to Alabama for a couple of days after Christmas or not. I'm still recovering from some cervical surgery and we don't know yet if I'll be released to travel or not. Regardless, Christmas is a wonderful time of year and the birth of Christ is something that simply must be celebrated!
This year has certainly been an active one for us. It's so hard to believe that our baby, Jennifer (18) is a freshman at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. She's right in the middle of her first final's week, hope she does well. She is enjoying life as she participates in several activities and clubs both on and off campus. For her graduation present / family vacation we traveled up into the Northeast to see NYC, Boston, Rhode Island and Maine. We made sure the trip included seeing "Wicked" on Broadway. For a special treat, we also got to sit in on a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman.
Jessica (22) is almost finished with her education. One more semester and she will have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and be a Registered Nurse. We are so proud of her, she has done very well in school and we think will be a "cum laude" graduate of some sort. But there is other big news with Jessica. She and her boyfriend Matt are now engaged and are planning a Spring wedding on May 21, two weeks after she graduates. So we are all having lots of fun planning the wedding. Just a few weeks ago I had the gread blessing to baptize Matt after receiving him on profession of faith the week before. Matt bought a home in Austin, AR and he and Jessica have been making it look like a home. Their two dogs keep Matt company whle Jessica is away at school.
Shelia is still going strong as the registrar at Sylvan Hills High School. It seems that every day has it's drama and adventure but it's good to have a steady job. In addition, she continues to keep up with her running having already completed several half-marathons and more 5K's than I can remember. She had a little trouble with her feet and legs earlier this year, but all of that seems to be fine now.
I keep plugging along as well. I completed my 10th year of ministry as Pastor or Administration at Faith Baptist Church last month. The church was very gracious and helped us celebrate with a new suit and paying off my motorcycle. The church has just gone through a pastoral change but things just calm down a bit after the start of the year.
At the time of this writing I'm recuperating from cervical surgery to correct a ruptured disc. This has been a pain and a nuisance for most of the year cutting into my gym time and hindered most of my other activities. I hope the surgery will get me back into the thick of things. Lately I've been involved as I could helping my buddy, Grumpy remodel his kitchen. I'm hoping I recover soon as there are lots of things around the Hulsizer Hacienda that need to be addressed.
Some highlights form the year include a Medical Mission trip to Moldova. Jessica and I flew with 9 other church members to provide medical car for 3 or 4 communities served by our missionaries there. I've already mentioned the upcoming nuptuals from Matt and Jessica; Jennifer is exciting to be the maid of honor. It should be a wonderful experience. I hope you can make it. After the wedding, jeff and Shelia are excited about what will most assuredly be a welcome vacation down on the Gulf Coast.
This time last year we were worried about dealing with "empty nest syndrome". The truth is, we are staying busy enough that we really haven't had to deal with it!
Much love from me and mine, to you and yours. Merry Christmas!
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