Merry
Christmas 2012
To hold with
some tradition, we’ll start from the oldest and work our way down. Rod and I are doing well. Rod continues teaching AP Biology, Human
Anatomy & Physiology, and Medical Terms classes at Snow Canyon High
School. I am loving teaching piano (I
just barely received my national certification after completing all the
requirements within one year!), and I still do a lot of horseback riding with
lots of friends. Rod is the Stake Sunday
School President, and also teaches a primary class. I was released as Music Chairman, and now am
the Scouting Rank Advancement Chairman.
Our oldest son, Denzel, died April 30, 2012. If you didn’t already know this, I’m sorry for the shock. It was a shock for us too. It’s a long story, but the short version is he ended his life. This was a very difficult time for our family, and yet, it has been a time of great growth, spiritual healing, great outpouring of love from family and friends, and we have felt SO blessed by our Heavenly Father. We have an even greater understanding and appreciation for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and especially for the incredible blessing of the atonement.
Jaimi and Mike, had an addition of a 3rd child this year. Sarah was born in March and we were SO happy to have the whole family here for Denzel’s funeral. It was the sweet with the bitter, and we were so happy to hold that darling baby in our arms. We loved being able to take Ben and Kristen horseback riding while they were here! Texas is such a long ways away and we feel it acutely whether it be tragedies or triumphs. We are very thankful for technology that helps us keep in touch!
Brandon,
Tannya and Nikki bought their first home and are loving living in South
Weber. It was a very difficult time for
them when Tannya miscarried shortly before Denzel’s death. Rod and I enjoyed a trip up north and the
day spent together at the Hogel Zoo. I
especially loved taking Nikki on the carousel and making sure she got to ride
the zebra!! Nikki turned 3 years old December 19th, and she is very excited to be
getting a new baby sister next spring!
So are we!!
Kristy is living in Salt Lake City and she works for a financial consulting firm. She has learned a ton and is a great asset to her company. She has many irons in the fire, and makes her mother (me) look like a slug! She is teaching dance after work some evenings, has a fetish for working out at the gym, and helps encourage lots of other people towards physical fitness through her Facebook page called Body Buddies.
Amelia and Hans welcomed their first baby into the world on June 27th. I was invited to be there for the delivery, and was honored to be an assistant coach for Hans and Amelia through this first delivery. Millie did an amazing job, and after only 1 ½ hours of labor at the hospital she delivered Dezmond Kai Kirchhausen. Of course, we have all fallen in love with him!! Amelia taught a dance class at Dixie State College, so I was able to tend twice a week. I loved it! Hans has many irons in the fire work-wise, including co-owning and managing the new Yogurtland store in town. We love the time we get to spend with them!
Natalee moved to Mapleton, and is working
for a Nexus Pain Management clinic. She really enjoys the office, the work, and
they pay her well. We miss having her
close to home, but we get to see her fairly often between her trips down here,
and our trips up there! She and her
boyfriend, RJ Best, became engaged on December20th. They are planning a June wedding and we are
so excited for them!
Dallin played rugby for BYU and he was loving it! He traveled with the team, played in many of the games, and even scored a couple of times. But then, during a game against UVU, he was injured while making a tackle. He ended up being out the rest of the season and having extensive knee surgery done in March. It was a very difficult time for him
The end of May we went on our family camping trip we had planned in March to Palisade Lake near Manti. What a healing time this was for our family. Our family loves to camp and Palisade Lake was the perfect spot. Grass camping, a beautiful lake, canoes, and even a baby shower for Amelia, made for a perfect vacation!
On the 11th I received a Facebook message from my friend, Sue Hampson, who was the first lady (family) I taught on my first night in the mission field, in my first area.
She said in her note, “Guess which elder is serving in MY ward? Guess which elder is having dinner with MY visiting teaching companion and her family right now?” I screamed!! And then I called her and we had a LONG chat!!
It has been such a cherished blessing to have these sweet “connections” to Dallin and his mission. When he has written, “Went to Kentville for Zone Conference,” I mentioned that Kentville was my third area. When he went to Bridgewater to play his violin for part of a fireside, I asked about a few members I knew there from my 2nd area. I have LOVED it!!
So, as you
can see we have had some difficult things to deal with, but we have also been
richly blessed. We are grateful to our
Heavenly Father for the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, that has been
felt, and needed, in rich abundance. And
we are so thankful for each of you –
your love, support, care, and concern – has been felt and
appreciated!! It would be so hard to do
this alone! 
At this very
poignant time of year, we hope we will all truly be aware and remember our
Savior who truly is the Son of God, and the Redeemer of us all. We love Him.
And we love you!
Love,
Rod, Patrice,
Denzel; Jaimi, (Mike, Ben, Kristen & Sarah);
Brandon, (Tannya, Nikki, and Baby girl); Kristy,
Amelia, (Hans, & Dezmond Kai),
Natalee
and Dallin
No comments:
Post a Comment