Dear Family and Friends,
A belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! We hope that 2009 treated you well and that 2010 will be full of new mercies and blessings.
It’s hard to believe that we have begun our third year in Houston, Texas. We are far from becoming true “Texans” though. Thus far, we have resisted buying over-sized vehicles, using phrases such as “fixin to,” calling all non-alcoholic carbonated beverages coke or buying a Republic of Texas flag. Despite Texas' attempt to indoctrinate Alan with Texas government and history this past spring, we pretty much remain Virginians with one exception. We've become yellow-bellied when it comes to the weather as we are in jackets when its only seventy degrees! We can't complain though as seventy degree winters are quite nice.
We celebrated our fifth anniversary this past week which is another hard to believe. At this rate, we'll be celebrating our 50th before we know it! There has been some bumps along the way, but each year has truly been more fulfilling than the previous. We both eagerly look forward to what the Lord has planned for our lives as we grow old together.
Pancho and Felíz are doing quite well. They are as crack-headed as ever but have been fun and good little companions. We couldn't imagine life without them.
Last year at this time, things at work were uncertain due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Alan's department was closed and thus he was transferred into a new department created post Ike. What was directly caring for patients turned into an eight hour day desk job. After several months of working behind a desk while locked behind bars, Alan had just about enough. He finally started to apply to local hospitals closer to home. By the grace of God, he busted out of prison in March when he accepted a job at a local hospital. He is now working on a medical/surgical/telemetry floor and loving it. Not only is it just ten minutes down the road but also a much better working environment with a lot of opportunity. He has already been awarded two bronze pins for patient recognition and is the co-chair for the hospital's Clinical Informatics Committee.
Eda still loves her job. It has been a bit of a change in pace this year as the school district decided to change from a block schedule to a seven period schedule. This year she is teaching several pre-advanced placement courses in Spanish and has been recognized for her talent by being a finalist out of hundreds of teachers for the HEB Teacher Recognition Award. The highlight of her year has been her role as the advisor to Clear Brook's CRY (Children Rights and You) chapter. This is a national organization that fights for the rights of children. Clear Brook's chapter has been involved in several community services including adopting local families to provide Christmas gifts and volunteering at the Boys and Girls Harbor.
Speaking of the Boys and Girls Harbor; we have had a couple opportunities to serve through our church and through CRY. It is a temporary home for 4-18 year old children whose parents are not able to care for them for whatever reason. These little guys are full of energy, smiles, and hope despite their dire circumstances. We wanted so much to pack them all up and bring them home with us. It is heart breaking knowing that most of them do not have a home to go to for Christmas. If you think of it, please pray for these little guys. We hope to become more involved with this ministry over this next year.
We pray that God blesses you greatly in 2010 and that He shines His Light upon you. We love and miss you all!
With Love,
Alan, Eda, Pancho and Felíz.