Well it’s that time of the year again. If you enjoy those overdone Christmas brag letters, feel free to proceed. If not, hit your ‘Back’ button. Coming-off an incredibly active 2008, 2009 brought a much-welcomed reduction of pace. I continue to consult in fixed-income processing for SunGard. The credit crisis has presented many opportunities for stress and many changes and challenges among my clients (large domestic financial institutions) but the over-all atmosphere is thankfully on the upswing. My bride continues working part time at a local dental office where her ever-present smile is a delight to all. Brieanna is settling into married life and is a full time college student while also working part-time at our church. Her husband Michael is busy in outdoor servicing and together they live about 20 miles north of us so we still see them regularly. Brandon wrapped-up his four year tenure with Go Ministries where he most recently served as their graphic design director. He is now working full time in that same field. His wife Jenna will be attending college this spring and they live just a couple miles down the road. After spending a year with Go Ministries, Jordon is back at home and is now a full time student as well. He works part-time at B&N and actively volunteers in our church. Mariah is in the 9th grade at MCA. Highlights for her include a staring role in "Your a Good Man Charlie Brown” and making the varsity volleyball squad. The dogs have been a thorn in my side. The youngest has been getting some help from the local dog whisperer but I don’t know if it’s going to be enough to save our relationship. We were grateful to spend our 25th anniversary on Maui. We also spent some time on Perdido Key Florida (including a horrible overnight in the Atlanta airport), Orlando Florida, and an undisclosed north woods location. We also surprised Jordon in Branson, Missouri during his last tour with Go. Several of us were featured in a marketing campaign for a local dental office. I’d never been on a billboard before. It was a lot of fun. I believe the campaign is still running in Mpls St Paul Magazine. Jordon, Mariah and I did our first marathon in October. It was just a Twin Cities 10K but was more than enough to keep these creaking joints moving. I’m looking forward to next year. Rounding-out the year was the fifth annual Scorpion Homecoming, a Go Ministries leadership retreat, camping in West Salem Wisconsin, the Cuyuna Days loon calling contest (which Mariah and I lost), my 30-year high school reunion, and getting skunked for another year of deer hunting. With so many friends and colleagues experiencing layoffs in 2009, it was indeed a time of great challenges, even fear. But I've found God to be faithful in things big and small, and I've been reminded in these times of the things that really matter. I've been blessed with so many trusted and heartfelt friends and my family is a source of great strength, inspiration and even joy. So all told, Starr and I remain very grateful for God’s blessings in 2009 and together we wish you and yours a terrific 2010!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
2009 In Review
Well it’s that time of the year again. If you enjoy those overdone Christmas brag letters, feel free to proceed. If not, hit your ‘Back’ button. Coming-off an incredibly active 2008, 2009 brought a much-welcomed reduction of pace. I continue to consult in fixed-income processing for SunGard. The credit crisis has presented many opportunities for stress and many changes and challenges among my clients (large domestic financial institutions) but the over-all atmosphere is thankfully on the upswing. My bride continues working part time at a local dental office where her ever-present smile is a delight to all. Brieanna is settling into married life and is a full time college student while also working part-time at our church. Her husband Michael is busy in outdoor servicing and together they live about 20 miles north of us so we still see them regularly. Brandon wrapped-up his four year tenure with Go Ministries where he most recently served as their graphic design director. He is now working full time in that same field. His wife Jenna will be attending college this spring and they live just a couple miles down the road. After spending a year with Go Ministries, Jordon is back at home and is now a full time student as well. He works part-time at B&N and actively volunteers in our church. Mariah is in the 9th grade at MCA. Highlights for her include a staring role in "Your a Good Man Charlie Brown” and making the varsity volleyball squad. The dogs have been a thorn in my side. The youngest has been getting some help from the local dog whisperer but I don’t know if it’s going to be enough to save our relationship. We were grateful to spend our 25th anniversary on Maui. We also spent some time on Perdido Key Florida (including a horrible overnight in the Atlanta airport), Orlando Florida, and an undisclosed north woods location. We also surprised Jordon in Branson, Missouri during his last tour with Go. Several of us were featured in a marketing campaign for a local dental office. I’d never been on a billboard before. It was a lot of fun. I believe the campaign is still running in Mpls St Paul Magazine. Jordon, Mariah and I did our first marathon in October. It was just a Twin Cities 10K but was more than enough to keep these creaking joints moving. I’m looking forward to next year. Rounding-out the year was the fifth annual Scorpion Homecoming, a Go Ministries leadership retreat, camping in West Salem Wisconsin, the Cuyuna Days loon calling contest (which Mariah and I lost), my 30-year high school reunion, and getting skunked for another year of deer hunting. With so many friends and colleagues experiencing layoffs in 2009, it was indeed a time of great challenges, even fear. But I've found God to be faithful in things big and small, and I've been reminded in these times of the things that really matter. I've been blessed with so many trusted and heartfelt friends and my family is a source of great strength, inspiration and even joy. So all told, Starr and I remain very grateful for God’s blessings in 2009 and together we wish you and yours a terrific 2010!
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