Joy and Wonder from Harland & Carolyn
Here's a card from Harland and Carolyn Hoffland with some excerpts from their Christmas letter:
As we approach this holiday season, we are overwhelmed with joy and wonder. 2007 has been a challenging year for our family, as we count our blessings at being able to handle the adversity we have all been handed. We continue to be strong and enduring. Harland mentions retirement, but knows that is down the road.
Missy and family are fine. Missy had a spinal fusion in September and is now doing better. Carolyn spend eight days with her during her recuperation. Missy was faced with another crisis just weeks ago when she suddenly became diabetic. She is Type I. We wonder why her? However, with her faith and family support, she and her family has once again persevered. Dennis keeps busy just keeping up with job and family. Josh is now 13 and into the "girl" stage, but continues to get mostly A's in school. Taylor, our 11-year-old mechanic, still loves Legos and helping with house projects.
Missy, Josh and Taylor came to our home in New Mexico in August. Papa took his three grandsons for a round of golf on his 61st birthday. Harland said it was the best birthday ever, a joy to have family together. (Dennis was unable to come.) Har even did a cannon ball off our diving board.
Sara, Nolan and Alix have recently moved into a house. Nolan, 10, continues to struggle with his eye disease and may need surgery in January. He loves playing baseball and basketball. Alix, 7, loves school and being a cheerleader. Mondays Carolyn pick the kids up after school and they have their private time, such a joy. When it comes to their homework, Carolyn wonders how she made it through the fifth grade.
Sara recently started a job as an audiologist. The joy in their family this year were the fund raisers sponsored by friends like Sara and Jim Sevey (Hars high school friend), the Beetle baseball team in Alexandria, and Nolan's own baseball baseball team that had a car wash. All the funds went to the Uvetitis Foundation in Nolan's name to help find a cause and cure for Nolan's eye disease.
Added to the joy of this year, Carolyn's Mom came to New Mexico for a two week visit. We hope Santa brings us a trip to California. Yes, we have been good!
Love - Carolyn, Harland and Chance (our foster puppy -- Alix and Nolan's dog)