Dearest friends and family~
Why, hello! Happy New Year to each and everyone. As is typical, I desired to stamp beautiful cards and even took a picture or two to send your way but alas, the stamp's in my craft drawer and the cards have yet to be purchased. However, I am not sad about how we spent our time because much of it involved being with you! And you, dear ones, are well worth it.
We started our holiday celebrations early with a trip to Kansas City to see Tim & Amelia Gardner Benefiel wed. It was a beautiful wedding! Ron, did a wonderful job administrating and Janet, was true to form, stunning, beautiful & profound. It was so wonderful to be together. We loved getting to see our Kansas City friends. Nicole Morrow always opens her beautiful home for us to stay with her & we were able to reconnect with our Taco Tuesday crew for a Saturday morning brunch! (*Soon after Liz & Adam gave birth to their new little one Lena! Can't wait to meet her!). And of course, it did not pass us by we were watching a wedding ceremony in the same chapel where on one fateful October 16 our paths were forever intertwined....what a good day...
Soon after, Dave's folks were kind enough to take a trip north for an early Christmas celebration. They had their maiden stay at an adorable little bed & breakfast in Takoma Park and frequented yummy coffee/cheesecake shop next door. We still have more of their recommendations to try sometime in the near future! We sent our love and Christmas greetings back to the Spaite clan in AZ. Thankfully, Dave was able to be with the Spaite family in September for Dana's birthday, flying in as a birthday surprise! What a gift. While he was there, he also was to spend time with our delightful sister Becca, hug Grandma and Grandpa Spaite & attend our friend Joni's wedding. It was a wonderful trip.
Oh yes, and this part if out of order, but I was able to stand with Libby & Jeremy in their much anticipated September wedding in Wyoming. I loved being there, being a part of the celebration! The outdoor mountain top wedding was breath-taking and Rev. Tom's faithful pastor message was truly the kind of sermon which caused me to recommit to my wedding vow's. I wouldn't trade being there for the world. Thankfully, Wendie & Michael made the trek as well and provided all fun & support this "brides-matron"could ask for.
Dave and I both learned of our continued employment opportunities sometime throughout the month of December. Dave has the opportunity to manage at the local Roti Mediterranean Restaurant and I am now gainfully employed at Manna, Inc. as partner in the advocacy and organizing office. It's such a blessing to both of jobs and communities to be a part of! As I continue to learn, God's provision in our lives, for the things we need and those things which we've never thought of....continues to amaze me.
After some uncertainty of whether Dave would get off work, we were able travel to Michigan for a couple of days! Felix, Audrey & Peter's new fluffy puppy stole the show. He's full of energy, delight & hours of fun. It was wonderful to get to meet the pup that A & P so adore. Mom really went full out for Christmas this year and decorated a tree to remember, I think the fire department was standing by on speed dial since there were 4,000 lights adorning it. Yep, you read it right... 4,000! (*Hope Dad makes it through the taking it outta the house part....we'll see, stay posted). My Grandma & Grandpa Richardson were able to eat some McDonald's with us when we stopped on our trek homeward. After we left to head home, we didn't get very far since the snow decided to pummel us! A night's stay along highway 80 proved much safer than muddling through. When we returned to DC, we were able to spend New Year's day cheering on Michigan with Taft & Courtney, the best family in town :)
Oh yes, one more thing. Our church in Washington, DC: Mosaic. We are thankful to both be serving with Pastor Rob Kazee & Pastor Andy Miller to join in God's work here in the city. We have much to learn but thankfully Pastor Rob is giving us opportunities do this. This fall, we took part in hosting a small group which we call "Face-to-Face" that sometimes met in our basement or at other friends houses across the city. It was such a blessing to have a group of people to intentionally gather and pray with & for throughout the week.
Gratitude fills my heart as I think of each one of you. Thank you for all of the ways you love us. Thank you for thinking of us and praying for us and cheering us on. 2013 is bound to be another full year of adventure, it is my hope that we'll give thanks often, courageously try new things and continue to celebrate the abundance of this life we're given.
May God's grace and abundant mercy fill your hearts & lives this Christmas season. We love you!
Dave & Diane :)
Why, hello! Happy New Year to each and everyone. As is typical, I desired to stamp beautiful cards and even took a picture or two to send your way but alas, the stamp's in my craft drawer and the cards have yet to be purchased. However, I am not sad about how we spent our time because much of it involved being with you! And you, dear ones, are well worth it.
We started our holiday celebrations early with a trip to Kansas City to see Tim & Amelia Gardner Benefiel wed. It was a beautiful wedding! Ron, did a wonderful job administrating and Janet, was true to form, stunning, beautiful & profound. It was so wonderful to be together. We loved getting to see our Kansas City friends. Nicole Morrow always opens her beautiful home for us to stay with her & we were able to reconnect with our Taco Tuesday crew for a Saturday morning brunch! (*Soon after Liz & Adam gave birth to their new little one Lena! Can't wait to meet her!). And of course, it did not pass us by we were watching a wedding ceremony in the same chapel where on one fateful October 16 our paths were forever intertwined....what a good day...
Soon after, Dave's folks were kind enough to take a trip north for an early Christmas celebration. They had their maiden stay at an adorable little bed & breakfast in Takoma Park and frequented yummy coffee/cheesecake shop next door. We still have more of their recommendations to try sometime in the near future! We sent our love and Christmas greetings back to the Spaite clan in AZ. Thankfully, Dave was able to be with the Spaite family in September for Dana's birthday, flying in as a birthday surprise! What a gift. While he was there, he also was to spend time with our delightful sister Becca, hug Grandma and Grandpa Spaite & attend our friend Joni's wedding. It was a wonderful trip.
Oh yes, and this part if out of order, but I was able to stand with Libby & Jeremy in their much anticipated September wedding in Wyoming. I loved being there, being a part of the celebration! The outdoor mountain top wedding was breath-taking and Rev. Tom's faithful pastor message was truly the kind of sermon which caused me to recommit to my wedding vow's. I wouldn't trade being there for the world. Thankfully, Wendie & Michael made the trek as well and provided all fun & support this "brides-matron"could ask for.
Dave and I both learned of our continued employment opportunities sometime throughout the month of December. Dave has the opportunity to manage at the local Roti Mediterranean Restaurant and I am now gainfully employed at Manna, Inc. as partner in the advocacy and organizing office. It's such a blessing to both of jobs and communities to be a part of! As I continue to learn, God's provision in our lives, for the things we need and those things which we've never thought of....continues to amaze me.
After some uncertainty of whether Dave would get off work, we were able travel to Michigan for a couple of days! Felix, Audrey & Peter's new fluffy puppy stole the show. He's full of energy, delight & hours of fun. It was wonderful to get to meet the pup that A & P so adore. Mom really went full out for Christmas this year and decorated a tree to remember, I think the fire department was standing by on speed dial since there were 4,000 lights adorning it. Yep, you read it right... 4,000! (*Hope Dad makes it through the taking it outta the house part....we'll see, stay posted). My Grandma & Grandpa Richardson were able to eat some McDonald's with us when we stopped on our trek homeward. After we left to head home, we didn't get very far since the snow decided to pummel us! A night's stay along highway 80 proved much safer than muddling through. When we returned to DC, we were able to spend New Year's day cheering on Michigan with Taft & Courtney, the best family in town :)
Oh yes, one more thing. Our church in Washington, DC: Mosaic. We are thankful to both be serving with Pastor Rob Kazee & Pastor Andy Miller to join in God's work here in the city. We have much to learn but thankfully Pastor Rob is giving us opportunities do this. This fall, we took part in hosting a small group which we call "Face-to-Face" that sometimes met in our basement or at other friends houses across the city. It was such a blessing to have a group of people to intentionally gather and pray with & for throughout the week.
Gratitude fills my heart as I think of each one of you. Thank you for all of the ways you love us. Thank you for thinking of us and praying for us and cheering us on. 2013 is bound to be another full year of adventure, it is my hope that we'll give thanks often, courageously try new things and continue to celebrate the abundance of this life we're given.
May God's grace and abundant mercy fill your hearts & lives this Christmas season. We love you!
Dave & Diane :)
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