Here is some of what happened with us in 2006: In January, Lydia and I went to California to see my family and gather to remember my brother Tim. We were also blessed to be able to attend my cousin's child's (Zoe Elizabeth Grover) christening on January 21st. It was great to see many family members gathered together for a HAPPY occasion. While in San Jose, I was glad to see my brother Mark, as I hadn't seen him in a few years. We also celebrated Lydia's 5th birthday while in California. She started kindergarten in August and is doing really well.

On April 2nd, Mark passed away. He would have been 53 on September 10th. He had a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Cal State University. He was a security guard. He called me on my birthday last year. That was so special to me because he hadn't called before and our whole family was upset because Tim was in the hospital dying. Tim died the following day. Ever since April, I've been trying to write something about Mark for our web site, but I've been at a loss for words. He was unique. He wasn't much for pets like my other brothers. We called him "Undercover Brother" because he was quiet and kept to himself. This may sound strange but my dog comforts me about my brother Tim because he loved dogs and all animals. I guess I'll think of Mark every night as I sit down to read to Claire and Lydia. He loved to read. I received a couple of his books from Mom and Dad. He liked the writings of Carl Jung in particular. I found many great Jung quotes online. I will continue this letter with some of my favorites. "The word 'happiness' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.": Losing two family members within six months time has been very hard, especially on my parents. Tim's death had already torn through our family, leaving us sad, hurt and even angry: "Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people." Sometimes we have to deal with the darknesses of others, but we also need to forgive and move on. It may be cliché, but "Life IS too short."

"It is only our deeds that reveal who we are." Sarah turned 19 in March. She made the deans list at Georgia College and has continued to play soccer. She may not continue with the soccer due to an injury to her ankle she got in September, but we do hope she continues to make the deans list! Sarah recently had a very sober "class reunion" as a friend, Megan from her class at high school died in a car wreck on December the 4th. I had just wrote the paragraph above. Another friend of Sarah's, Billy spoke her thoughts so beautifully addressed to Megan, "God does have a plan, and I know that you understood that. Although we can never physically bring you back to us, we can find comfort in knowing you're in good hands. His hands." Please pray for Megan's family and friends.

"Follow that will and that way which experience confirms to be your own." In June Teddy turned 16. He was able to celebrate at church camp with his friends and we celebrated with him when he got home. He will get his drivers license soon, right now he's still practicing. He's a straight A student and loves soccer. I can't believe he'll be a senior next year!

"Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health." June began our "Summer of Unfortunate Events": first, our Air Conditioning and dishwasher broke. Then our nephew/cousin Darren came to visit! Actually that was a bright spot in our "Cruel Summer". We had a lot of fun with Darren. Bob found a "slide rock" in GA similar to the one we went to long ago in Arizona with my brother, Paul. In July, the washing machine and power steering in the van broke! Darren went home. We decided to let Teddy and Ian fly out to see him and everyone else. They had a good time. Claire turned 10 at the end of July and we had a "mother - daughter" trip to Six Flaggs. It was fun. Claire is also a straight A student. We are so proud of her. She has earned the "student of the month" award (it's called Soaring eagle) every school year for the pass three years! The final "unfortunate event" of the summer was our septic tank over flowing into our basement! Thank God we have a basement(with no carpet!)

"Nobody, as long as he moves about among the chaotic currents of life, is without trouble." In September, Ian turned 13. Ian has been having stomach trouble for the past couple of years. This fall we found out why. He has a very irritated stomach (the beginnings of an ulcer) and esophagus. He went on the school's "home-bound" program and has had several different tests to find out exactly what's going on. He hates going to the doctors where he's been constantly the past couple of months. He's been a very good sport about it all. He's taking Nexium and improving. Bob coached Ian's soccer team this fall and Ian was hardly able to make it to any games or practices. He's feeling well enough to sign up for basketball though, and hopefully will be well enough to get in the game again soon!

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed." Earlier this year my brother, Christopher met his fiancé Michelle. They are getting married on December 31st. Christopher is my oldest living brother and has never been married. Sarah, Claire, Lydia and I are flying out on Christmas day to be there for this special holiday event. We are so happy for Christopher and Michelle. Bob and the boys are going south to Florida to visit his family and then north to go skiing.

"The word 'belief' is a difficult thing for me. I don't believe. I must have a reason for a certain hypothesis. Either I know a thing, and then I know it - I don't need to believe it."

"I could not say I believe. I know! I have had the experience of being gripped by something that is stronger than myself, something that people call God."

I don't think Jung and his hypothesis are far off, the Bible says in Hebrews, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The apostle Paul also prays that believers "may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge."

Someone said once that I think I know everything, which is not true but I do know what matters. Do you? That is our prayer for all of you this Christmas.

Merry Christmas with Love!
Bob, Susan, Sarah, Teddy, Ian, Claire and Lydia