A wise man once said that life was like a roll of toilet paper; the closer you get to the end the faster it goes! In looking over the previous few Christmas letters I find that I always mention how fast the year has gone, this year is no different but I can honestly say, for the most part, I’m ready for this year to be over.
We have certainly had our struggles
this year. Jessica had been given the all clear from her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
She had gone back to work and things were going well, then three months later
the cancer had come back. She has just returned from the Nebraska Medical
Center in Omaha where she underwent a Stem-Cell Transplant. She and Matt were
there for exactly one month, (Shelia and I took turns staying with them during
the process). My mom, Shelia and I, Jennifer and even Scarlett spent
Thanksgiving with Matt and Jessica there in the hospital. It was a long, hard
fight but she did great. The prognosis is very good and we are so thankful for
Dr. Julie Vose and the team there in Omaha. She still has a lot of healing to
do and the regaining of strength will take a while but we know that God is
faithful and that Matt is an awesome care-giver.
There are some bright spots to the
year. In February our new pastor, Dr. Bob Wiegel came to our church and has hit
the ground running. We think he is great and I am enjoying working with him and
learning lots of new things about technology, computer programs and am really
kicking in the creativity. Who knew you could teach an old dog new tricks? I am
still awfully busy with the music ministry with the resignation of our worship
pastor last November (yes over a year ago) but have enjoyed leading music
again, but I’m looking forward to the prospect of a new worship pastor after the
first of the year.
Last May my turn for a month’s
Sabbatical came around, so my buddy Tim “Grumpy” Mistric and I rode our
motorcycles 4500 miles in 18 days out old Route 66 to California then back to
South Louisiana via I-10. Pictures available at www.sabbatical66.blogspot.com, check it
out!
Jennifer is a junior now at the
University of Central Arkansas, still on track to get her degree in Early
Childhood Education. Her big news is that this summer she is going on a month
long mission trip to South Africa. While we are excited about this opportunity,
I will tell you her mother and I are really leaning on the Lord to find peace
about the decision to let her go!
Shelia is trying to keep up with
her running and stays busy with her work as a registrar for the Pulaski County
Special School District. She has run at least 4 more half-marathons this year.
No matter how far she runs, she always comes home to me. J
We hope that you and yours have a
blessed and safe Christmas holiday full of love and laughter. We value your
friendship and continue to ask for your prayers for Jessica as she continues to
heal and for the rest of us as we seek to carry out God’s will for each of our
lives. Hope to hear from each of you very soon.
All our love,
Jeff, Shelia, & Jennifer Hulsizer and Matt & Jessica
Petty (and Scarlett!)
