Our Annual Christmas Letter 2009-Year in Review

Merry Christmas 2009

From Jim & Tina Wilson

It is hard to believe that we’re sending out our “end of the year” as it seems like yesterday that we were sharing our news from 2008. Though the time continues to fly by so quickly, we have enjoyed another good year.

 

Quick updates on our children, Megan and Lindsay just celebrated their 1st anniversary and have a “new addition” to their family….Morgan their King Charles Cavalier Cocker Spaniel. She is a delight..though her “brother” Ben-the cat, isn’t too sure about the whole thing. They continue to work at their same positions and are enjoying their home and life as a married couple. They are active in their community and church. Matt is having a remarkable year with several changes. He is renting a condo in the city (Wilmington), which is something he has always wanted to do and decided now was a good time before the ultimate purchasing of a home. Matt started working as the coordinator for Humanities at Wilmington University in September on a half-time basis. He will begin his doctoral program this coming September. He is continuing the work with the campus ministry, but on a half-time basis through May of 2009. He loves his new position and continues to enjoy his interaction with the campus ministry. As always he is involved in many community and church activities. He gets to NYC to visit friends, but not near enough for his liking. We are very proud of the good things our children are doing and the way they care for others. They live only 20 minutes away, but in opposite directions of our home.

 

In February we had to put our little Samson down. He became very ill and there was nothing more we could do. He was a devoted companion and a major part of our family. We enjoyed having him in our lives for his 10 ½ years. He is missed. Jim continues with his position at Wilmington University and enjoys it to the fullest. He has had the opportunity to do some teaching this year and really enjoys getting into the classroom setting from time to time. Tina had a “short retirement” from her private music instruction and started teaching one-day a week again this September. She really missed her teaching. Besides her volunteer work and weekly activities, she continues to take courses at Wilmington University.

 

Jim and Tina have been blessed with good health this year…except gaining several pounds that weren’t there last year. We are very thankful for our health, especially that Jim continues to maintain his kidney function with only a slight decrease in function over the year. He continues to see the specialist every 3-months so we will always be on top of any changes towards leading to an eventual kidney transplant.

 

We once again organized a team for the Annual Delaware Kidney Walk. As you know, Tina has been working with the National Kidney Foundation seeking to start a local chapter for the past several years. This year TEAM WILSON was one of the top 4 fundraising teams. We were humbled by the donations and participation with us at the walk. Overall, the walk raised more than $90,000 to date and we thank everyone who was a part of TEAM WILSON!

 

We had the opportunity to work with Matt, who directed The Intermediate-I session (10-11 year olds) at Camp Manatawny this past July. This year we had our entire family there for some of the week and look forward to this summer when all 5 of us will be working Intermediate I. As you may be aware, we directed this same session for many years and this responsibility has now been passed onto our son! It makes us very proud to see our children as leaders of a camp session. God is so good!

Travel wise, we took our annual winter trip in February to Longboat Key, FL and many day and weekend trips. Our trips were somewhat limited because of Tina’s class load schedule and Jim’s teaching and work schedule. We did get to spend several weekends in Lewes, DE, which is a place we love to go to “just get away.” We enjoyed time with close friends and visiting with long-time friends throughout this year. We would LOVE for you to visit us. The door is always open (when we’re here), so come for a visit!

As any homeowner, there are always projects. The biggest project was adding on to our deck. We had a friend do most of the work for us after Jim helped with the foundation and flooring. We have enjoyed this new addition and look forward to using it as much as the weather allows throughout the coming years.

May your holiday season be filled with time spent with family and friends. May you see all the daily gifts that God so graciously provides. May you be content and at peace with your choices in your life.

 

We would Love to hear from you all! Merry Christmas, Jim & Tina

"...Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right...Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others.  Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about it." ~ Phil 4:8 (TLB)