Dear Friends and Family,
Some years we tumble through,
laughing and tripping over each other as we merrily race from one life-goal, to
the next. Some years we turn up our collars against the storms of life until,
as the carol says, “The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes
once more.” Most years, like this one,
seem to sneak by us as we bend down to tie our shoes for the race, and when we
look up, we find it is over.
The last year has been a time of
change for Teresa. In December of 2012 she finished her Master’s degree in Education
with an emphasis on math curriculum (something she was working on when she was
moved to teaching two classes of English Language Arts, Social Studies, and
Technology for 4th grade). Teresa was moved back to second grade
this year. There is some relief at not being in a grade where a standardized
test is being given, but the downside is the need to become familiar with a new
curriculum after having taught the same grade for five years.
She is especially happy to be teaching all subjects in one self-contained
class. The intensified scrutiny and micromanagement, that are now so prevalent
in the public schools make teaching a less enjoyable profession than when she
first began. However, her love for the children has not waned, and it is their sense
of discovery that makes the job worthwhile.
Ray is still working in the IT
department at Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing. The company continues to grow
and evolve to meet the demands of a changing market, so he is continually finding
new challenges and opportunities in meeting the demands of his job. He doesn’t
get as many calls from the designers to model clothes being reviewed before
production, since he has lost a little weight, but it’s a small price to pay
for step toward being healthier.
Ray and Teresa continue to be
very involved in church life at Fossil Creek Community Church. Their primary responsibility
and greatest joy is co-teaching an adult Sunday school class. Due to a sabbatical
being taken by one of the other adult teachers, their class has more than
doubled in size and changed considerably in demographics, so they will start
2014 looking for new ways to present Gods word in a way that is relevant,
interesting and impactful to their students. Ray was also chosen to serve on
the church board and will serve for two more years. He is honored to have the
opportunity to serve as a support to the ministry of our church and is blessed
to work with a wonderful group of other leaders. But after an especially lengthy recent budget
meeting, he is now a proponent for padded chairs at all board meetings.
Early last year, Nathan adopted a
black lab mix puppy and named her Storm. She has an exuberance for life that
has kept us all on our toes. In May, Nathan moved to Huron, South Dakota to
work for the city at their recycling center, work very similar to what he had been
doing for a private business in Fort Worth. He called Texas many times to brag
about the mild weather in South Dakota, while we were experiencing 100 degree
days. We didn’t have the heart to brag, but did inquire about how he was
enjoying the snow, once winter hit, way back in Octoburrrrr. Storm loved the
snow and the space she had to run and play fetch, her all-time favorite game. However, due to a cutback
in hours for the winter season and a lack of available housing, Nathan has
decided to return to Fort Worth. He is looking forward to starting 2014 with a
new job and his own apartment.
Rachel is midway through her junior
year at Abilene Christian University (Go Wildcats!). This past summer, she
moved off campus into a house with three roommates and is immensely enjoying
having her own kitchen. She loves to cook and entertain and has been learning
many new Asian recipes from one of her roommates. Rachel is seeking a double
major in Social Work and Psychology with a minor in International Studies. She
will begin her internships this coming year and will start applying to graduate
schools, as her chosen field requires at least a Master’s degree. She still
feels strongly that she would like to travel and work in the anti-human
trafficking movement. Much of this type of work takes place outside the US, and
since exposure to other cultures will be so important, she plans to spend five
weeks abroad in Europe this coming May. This will be her second study-abroad
opportunity and the third time she has had the chance to travel to Europe. Oh
the difficulties of being a college student in a global culture!
All of us will be together for
Christmas, an unexpected, but much appreciated blessing! Bring on the cards!
Rachel and Teresa (still not a dog-lover, but definitely won over by a certain
black four-legged tornado) are looking forward to spoiling Storm. Teresa has
dibs on taking her through the Starbucks drive-through for a pup-uccino and
Rachel plans to treat her to outings at the local dog park, saving Ray the
worry of Storm’s version of landscaping the backyard. Nathan is looking forward
to the warmer Texas weather and getting his fix of Texas fajitas and tacos.
2013 has been a full and blessed
year for the Williams family.
No matter what kind of year you’ve
had, the Christmas season offers an opportunity for us to look up from our
time-bound existence and revel in the miracle of an infinite God who has, at
great cost, chosen to send his Son. Through his life, death, and resurrection,
Jesus provides the opportunity for us to leave the temporal and enter the infinite.
We hope you will join us as we thank God for his grace and love, celebrated at
this Christmas season with friends and family.
Merry Christmas,
The Williams Family
