Christmas Letter

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

    UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN

We still are thrilled to be living in the Pacific Northwest, in Kirkland, across Lake Washington from Seattle. We will have been here three years in March 2014. The weather is moderate and it actually rains a bit more at our old home in Worthington, Ohio than here – but it does rain or mist more days here often with the blue sky and sun coming out during the day. We can walk out to the street in front of our townhouse and see Lake Washington and Seattle and on a clear day see beyond to the Olympic Mountains and then turn around and see the Cascade Mountains.  We can go a few blocks down toward the waterfront and enjoy many great little restaurants and shops.

We were glad to have family and friends come out to see us and welcome more of you to come.

On a sad note Michael Hall Todd, one of our sons, died rather unexpectedly at age 45 down in Salt Lake City on July 3rd.  Family and friends came together from around the country for his memorial service. It is comforting and yes, uplifting to know there is life after death. While his passing was a blow, we know Michael is in good hands. – Isn’t that what Christmas is really all about? When we look beyond all the parties and gift giving and hoopla of the secular Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who shows us the path back to live with our Heavenly Father and Himself. Christ provided us with the atonement and resurrection – and opened the way back home for all of us - if we but follow. Birth – Life on earth – Death of the body -  Resurrection – and Home

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“Of course, we do not need a Christmas holiday or Christmas traditions to remember Jesus Christ, our Savior. But the celebrations of Christmas can help remind us of Him. The hallowed Christmas season can be an opportunity to recommit to keep the fire of the Spirit and the glory of the Son of God burning in our hearts every day throughout the year.

“This is a wonderful time of the year. It may not be perfect. But if Christmas can point our hearts toward our Savior, we can rejoice even in the imperfections of the season. …may we always remember to bring gifts to Him who has given His all for us. May we always remember and be grateful that in the birth of that Child, the universe rejoiced. And may each Christmas season remind us to lift up our voices and fill our hearts with joy and gratitude that Christ the King has come! Christ lives! He is real. He is our Redeemer at Christmas and always.”   Dieter F. Uchtforf

With love,

Joe & Julia