Christmas Greetings 2012

December 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Another year has come and gone all too quickly here in the Shenandoah Valley. As I sit and write this letter I think of all the opportunities our family has been given this year, new friendships that have been built, and adventures we have experienced. I am also reminded of how blessed we are to have so much love in our lives. I pray that we can all find a way to celebrate this season, find a way to give to someone that can do nothing for us, and find a way to love one another as God loves each of us. As I write this letter, I wish the most joyous peace-filled season possible to you and your loved ones.

Over the last year we have experienced many wonderful milestones. Hannah continues to grow and learn in the 3^rd grade at Eastern Mennonite Elementary School. Her personality shines as she loves to take care of others, has a vivid imagination, and enjoys getting into a good book. (She tells me that she likes to read sad love stories… Houston, we have a problem!) This year she took swim lessons over the summer and developed into quite the fish at Grandma’s pool. She is not playing violin this year but enjoys music class at school and singing in the children’s choir at church. She tried a gymnastics class this fall and in that has finally found a physical activity that she enjoys.  She’ll be continuing those classes this spring. Her favorite part of every school day is recess as her and her classmates always have something in the works. She continues to develop her compassionate side often helping her sister with a task or offering her something that she only has one of to use. Hannah loves to write stories and has hosted several plays that required tickets for admission in our home. Fortunately she lets me in even when I don’t have money to purchase a ticket!

Sophie continues to grow and develop her identity as well. She is very passionate about her clothing selection, often matching stripes, flower patterns, and/or polka dots, all in various colors. She loves having a hair bow or 12 and is not scared to make a change or three along the way. All this means that she is usually the one we’re waiting on each morning when it’s time to leave for school. Sophie has certainly established herself as strong-willed this year, but often pretends to be shy when you first meet her. She too has written a few plays this year and has graduated to reading chapter books. Sophie is also taking the year off from playing violin and has enjoyed singing in the church choir. She also tried gymnastics but did not enjoy it as much as Hannah. Sophie’s favorite part of her day at Eastern Mennonite Elementary School is often show and tell or PE. She is certainly a free spirit and loves playing with her sister. On any given Saturday they can disappear into the playroom for the entire day except to come out for meals.

Randa has taken her passion for cooking to a new level this year and has added canning to her list of skills. The garden produced lots of tomatoes, potatoes, and corn which are being stored in the basement (pantry) for the winter, along with many jars of peaches and applesauce.  She’s also enjoyed making baked goods for the family; we’ve eaten only one or two store-bought loaves of bread since school started. Randa is now in her fifth year teaching at Eastern Mennonite Middle School, covering Old Testament, World History, and Technology classes. She has really found her place at the school and in the singing community, singing with both Rocktown Consort (although she took this semester off) and with the Park View Mennonite Church Choir.

Charles continues to work to build his reputation as an architect in the valley while also balancing client needs in Charlottesville. This year he has designed several homes, basement renovations, deck additions, warehouses, industrial renovations, and bathroom remodels. There was certainly a lot of variety, but of course they were all energy-efficient, healthy, and durable design solutions. Charles’ lecture circuit was more local this year, but he did host a group from the Department of Energy in Charlottesville to show them some of his work and averaged two lectures a month to local community groups. Charles also continues to serve the community as the SVBA Secretary, HR Green Committee Co-Chairman, PVMC Creation Care Committee Building Committee Chairman, President of the EMES PTF, and Co-Chair of the HR Chamber Aging-in-Place Round Table, just to name a few. While he has been accused of not sleeping (believe me he needs a solid 8 hours or he is grumpy), he always makes time for his three girls at home and to keep the garden going. He was the star (in his own words) of two plays this year, assisted with the creation of many painted rock gifts, and made two girls very happy with their newly painted rooms and the other girl happy with her new shelving storage system in the basement (pantry).

It seems that every year we are a little busier and have a little less time to just relax. I am certainly looking forward to the coming weeks of family visits, time off work, and gifts of love being shared. From our family to yours we wish you the happiest holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful, prosperous, and joyous New Year.

The Hendricks – Charles, Randa, Hannah, and Sophie