Friday, December 20, 2024

Roth Christmas Epistle 2024

 

The Year That Was

January  -  Curtis turned 37.  *  We spent a mostly rainy but mostly wonderful week in Rotonda West, Florida, at the beautiful Vrbo house of the mostly wonderful owners, Bobby & Connie Brown.

February  -  Thomas turned 10.  *  Had a fun double date with friends enjoying Comedy Sportz Twin Cities at their appearance in Rosemount.  *  On the 23rd, Shonda turned 41 and Kelly Jo turned 35.

March  -  Ivy June turned 4.  *  Debbie did a lot of work on her new 9-week devotional book, Blue Tassels.

April  -  Anawynn turned 11.  *  Dewey was MC at our church's 2nd annual Taste & See Fundraiser for our summer mission trips.  *  Blue Tassels was sent to the publisher.  *  Debbie spoke to almost 100 women at a one-day event at our home church in Markle, Indiana. (What a trip!)  *  We both attended, once again, The Well Conference for Christian Creatives in Michigan (enjoyed a day-trip to Holland as well).

May  -  Loved having everyone (except Shonda and crew) at the house for some Mother's Day pizza (but also loved that Shonda added her crew to the group photo)

The D&D Roth Clan

June  -  Blessed by having Ivy and Clay for 4 overnighters and all the days in between while Curtis & Abbey were in California for a conference.  *  The 9th was our 45th anniversary!


July  -  A relatively quiet month highlighted by an overnighter with the 3 oldest grandkids and one with the youngest.

August  -  Dewey turned 67 (How in the world can that be correct?!?)  *  Debbie celebrated the release of BLUE TASSELS: 45 Devotions for the Desperate, Determined, and Delivered with a book launch open house.

September  -  Ezra Ann turned 3.  *  Clarence "Clay" turned 1 year old.  *  Angel turned 44.  *  The two of us traveled to Wyoming for some time with Debbie's niece and brother and a sobering visit to the Heart Mountain WWII Japanese Relocation Museum. Debbie also celebrated her 66th birthday at Texas Roadhouse. Maverick turned 8.

October  -  A nice-but-too-short visit in Arkansas with Shonda and her family. The drive down through the Ozarks was beautiful and their almost-completed house is amazing.  *  Enjoyed the 2nd year of greeting trick-or-treaters as SantaDewey. This time, we handed out candy canes!


November  -  We were overjoyed to be able to fly to Ohio for Thanksgiving. My (Dewey's) baby sister and her preacher husband open the fellowship hall of their church for both sides of the family to gather, gorge, and giggle. Curtis and Kelly Jo (and their families) drove to the event and were able to spend extra time with us and my sister and brother-in-law. Wonderful.

December  -  We will experience a Christmas Miracle: All of our Minnesota-based kids and grands will gather at our house at the same time for a big, old-fashioned Christmas dinner! And we're forever grateful.


In the face of seasoned waves of evil
that we would sing that old noel,
that we would hang lights on branches,
that we would give gifts to others
even if that gift is only ourselves --
this, this is a defiance seemingly impotent
against the principalities and powers who
daily conspire to convince us that
we are alone and love is a lie.
But do not be deceived for the demons themselves
tremble at such quaintness.
Sisters and brothers,
Christmas on.
-John Blase-


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