Christmas Card

I really enjoyed this Christmas card from United Methodist Communications.

I am woefully behind in sending out Christmas cards and letters this year, but I think I will finish Friday night–by Midnight.

Here is the text of the family letter from Karen and me this year:

Dear friends and family,

We are well, and mostly happy, and we have journeyed in familiar and new places with many of you this past year.  We pray that your life is filled with peace, and joy, and hope.  May God bless you this year.

We have traveled some this year, and seen a few new places, and a few new schedules.  We have mostly enjoyed 2012, but have lost a few old friends and also found some old and new friends throughout the year.

Tom was delighted to visit Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, to attend Leadership Institute this past October.  It was a pleasure to learn from Pastor Adam Hamilton again. It was especially fun to finally meet young Pastor Scott Chrostek (Here is Tom’s plug for Scott’s new book:  Pursuit.)  It was also grand to attend Tom’s 40^th Parker High School class reunion in August (his first reunion so far!) and then the next day for Tom to present a poetry reading, Hopeful, at West Allis First United Methodist Church.

We grieve the passing of our old High School chum, John Dewey, in November.  But we are thankful that we connected with John earlier this year, and saw many old friends at the funeral.

Karen has had to work new schedules and new shifts at MSOE this year, but she has done well with it.  She has learned new things along the way.  Karen did much of the work to organize and prepare the move of Aunt Marie Hess to Harbour House in Greendale in August.  Some extra time off this summer was put to good use.

Tom has continued to lead a number of classes at our church, and has guided some Missions activities.  He was also selected to Chair the Supervisory Committee of Prime Financial Credit Union this year.  He continues to enjoy work at the City of Milwaukee.

As the New Year approaches, we are delighted to still be best friends.  Does it get any better than this?  How could it?  We wish similar blessings on our young friends.

John is taking some time off from school, and learning great new skills as a care-giver in an Assisted Living facility.  Oh, the things he can do!  He also was a staff member for Teen Serve this past summer.  He looks forward to returning to school.  We continue to be very proud and amazed by Nathan and Michelle.  Nate is a pillar at his company.  Michelle is now in school and working.  They are wonderful kids!

We wish you all many blessings in this Christmas celebration, and wish for you a joyous 2013.

Love,

Karen and Tom Bolton

Merry Christmas to my friends here too.  Joy to the World!