Christmas Letter 2013

Well this year has certainly made us realize what is important....
Here is our Christmas letter for this year 2013 which we are grateful to see coming to a close.

This 2013 year has been all about learning and trusting our Hope in Christ... It has not been an easy year but it has strengthened our faith and brought us all closer together!

 Highlights of this year:
We began the year with new callings as I was called as a ward Indexer and Doug was put into the
 Primary as a co-teacher for the CTR 4 kids and then later in the year I was called to the CTR 4 class also.
 We have 11 kids, 7 girls and 4 boys. We have a great class!  It has been good for Doug and I to work together.

 (2 are missing )

In March Doug found a job and in November he lost it. It has been a rough year. Doug's back has been a real problem... sometimes it decides to stop working.

 

We thought it was funny! It says  "I got your back "

We have truly depended on the Lord and his tender mercies. We are grateful for family and friends who have supported us as we have struggled this year. We have felt your prayers and we feel very blessed to have you in our lives. The Lord continues to bless us and care for us as we strive to keep the commandments.

 In June Sierra and Wendy took a road trip to Utah for the Miller Family Reunion. It was fun to see my family and so many of the cousins and their families that we haven't seen in a while.  Heber Utah was a beautiful setting and it was  quite an adventure to "sleep"  in a bunk bed in a cabin with family! It was a quick trip but I am so thankful we could go !

In July Doug's parents made it possible for us to take part in the annual 4th of July trip to Nebraska to light fire works!  It was a fun family vacation we all very much needed and we are very grateful we could attend ! It was made even better because Gord and his family came to celebrate the holiday with us. After Nebraska we took a trip to Burlington Colorado and rode the carousel Mom Allred loves then the next day after a much needed rest we all went to the movie "The Lone Ranger" with Grandma and Grandpa and then we had dinner together and visited. It was a Wonderful weekend!

 In August it was time for Sierra to return to college (CSU) Only this time it was a little different to have to load up her bed and other furniture because she was moving into an apartment with 3 other girls. After braving many stairs she was all moved in.  Of course you want your kids to grow up... but letting go is not easy!  We have missed her so much!

 According to Sierra and her friends their apartment is THE PLACE TO BE either playing games or watching movies or just visiting all together while eating Sierra's homemade pizza or other goodies she whips up!  We especially love it when she calls for Doug's recipes and advice on how to cook something new for her friends.

 

Hanging out with roommates and friends at the apartment

Sierra began her Sophomore year as a Geology major, requiring challenging courses like Calculus, Mineralogy, Optical Mineralogy and Chemistry and the labs that go with them. She spends her lunch in her Institute class listening to conference talks with her friends. She has been 1 very busy girl this year between classes, working on campus 4 days a week at the Ram's Horn food services and finding time to do homework!  She says when she isn't busy she can always be found at the Institute hanging out with friends and singing in the choir. Once a week she is her Family Home Evening Group's leader and comes up with fun activities for them. We look forward to her calls once a week and especially her visits.

Sierra's ward made quilts for Humanitarian needs in October 

 In September I started another year with the Peak after school program and we are very grateful that I have a job we can count on.  If only there were more money, hours and benefits.  If it weren't for the kids I work with I would move on. I still mainly help the kids get their homework done daily so they can read!
This is also the month my Institute classes began. I thoroughly love studying the Book of Mormon. We have a new teacher this year and it is fun to learn the scriptures from another new perspective.

 We just celebrated Thanksgiving with Doug's parents and brother Gord and his family and it was such a wonderful occasion to count our many blessings!   The very next day Sierra decorated for Christmas and it has been a bright spot each day to put the days up on the advent calendar... thinking each day of the birth and gift the Savior is in our lives.

 As Christmas is fast approaching we look forward to Christmas parties and choir concerts to keep us busy until Sierra comes home!!!!  

                                                 May God bless you now and in the New Year
                                                                   Merry Christmas