~ We are posting our Christmas letter here this year. ~Dearest Friends and Family,
What a year! Life in the Happ household is quite a bit different these days. Our precious first born is now walking with the aid of furniture and her grocery cart; keeping us busier and more entertained than we dreamed possible. Madison is the most delightful wonder God has ever given us, and is the most tangible way we have ever experienced His love for us. She gleams with sweet joy in almost every circumstance. She has also made die-hard trekkers of her parents. Her love for her backpack carrier has prompted us to ascend Half-Dome, night-hike Lassen, and backpack Grouse Ridge. All adventures where conquered with Madison winning the prize for the best attitude in the family.
As for Mom and Dad, our other accomplishments seem so trivial compared to Madison. In fact they seem hardly worth sharing. So if you want to stop reading now, we won’t be hurt. Brian is now in his eighth year at Pepsi and Jaime is in her second year of teaching junior high special education. It seems that Brian is always adding a new hobby or expertise to his “Wonder-Man” list. This year alone he has taken up serious hiking/backpacking, video editing, and shooting (yes he bought a hand gun). He and Madison have hiked over 50 miles together on his days off. It is beautiful to see the relationship Brian and Maddie have.
Jaime (me) became full-time this year (as oppose to 95%) and is definitely feeling the challenges. She teaches two classes of Resource English (special education) and two classes of “Opportunity.” The Resource classes are a blast, the students are sweet and the things they say keep teachers laughing all week. The “Opportunity” class is a little more challenging. It is made up of students who have failed multiple classes for one reason or another. These kids are incredibly resilient, but life has given them a little more than they can handle right now. Many are in foster homes, and only one has an intact family (mom and dad married and living together). It is impossible to teach them and not bear the grief and pain they are caring when at home. (Now I’m going to share my feelings in first person): Over the past four months with these kids, I have struggled with the emotional burdens that go with teaching them. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to the front lines of a battle. I found that it is only through prayer and actively listening to God’s still, small voice that I am able to discover and respond to the true needs of these young adults. How blessed am I though, that I get to see the future molded, right in front of me, by our youth?
We (Brian and I) realizing more and more how blessed we are to be surrounded by “top notch” people. Life has become more real because of each of you and how you live your lives with us. Thank you for giving us your time, love, and dedication. We know more than ever how rare the abundance of our blessings is. We love each of you most deeply.
Merry Christmas,
Brian, Jaime, and Madison
What a year! Life in the Happ household is quite a bit different these days. Our precious first born is now walking with the aid of furniture and her grocery cart; keeping us busier and more entertained than we dreamed possible. Madison is the most delightful wonder God has ever given us, and is the most tangible way we have ever experienced His love for us. She gleams with sweet joy in almost every circumstance. She has also made die-hard trekkers of her parents. Her love for her backpack carrier has prompted us to ascend Half-Dome, night-hike Lassen, and backpack Grouse Ridge. All adventures where conquered with Madison winning the prize for the best attitude in the family.
As for Mom and Dad, our other accomplishments seem so trivial compared to Madison. In fact they seem hardly worth sharing. So if you want to stop reading now, we won’t be hurt. Brian is now in his eighth year at Pepsi and Jaime is in her second year of teaching junior high special education. It seems that Brian is always adding a new hobby or expertise to his “Wonder-Man” list. This year alone he has taken up serious hiking/backpacking, video editing, and shooting (yes he bought a hand gun). He and Madison have hiked over 50 miles together on his days off. It is beautiful to see the relationship Brian and Maddie have.
Jaime (me) became full-time this year (as oppose to 95%) and is definitely feeling the challenges. She teaches two classes of Resource English (special education) and two classes of “Opportunity.” The Resource classes are a blast, the students are sweet and the things they say keep teachers laughing all week. The “Opportunity” class is a little more challenging. It is made up of students who have failed multiple classes for one reason or another. These kids are incredibly resilient, but life has given them a little more than they can handle right now. Many are in foster homes, and only one has an intact family (mom and dad married and living together). It is impossible to teach them and not bear the grief and pain they are caring when at home. (Now I’m going to share my feelings in first person): Over the past four months with these kids, I have struggled with the emotional burdens that go with teaching them. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to the front lines of a battle. I found that it is only through prayer and actively listening to God’s still, small voice that I am able to discover and respond to the true needs of these young adults. How blessed am I though, that I get to see the future molded, right in front of me, by our youth?
We (Brian and I) realizing more and more how blessed we are to be surrounded by “top notch” people. Life has become more real because of each of you and how you live your lives with us. Thank you for giving us your time, love, and dedication. We know more than ever how rare the abundance of our blessings is. We love each of you most deeply.
Merry Christmas,
Brian, Jaime, and Madison
2 comments:
Jaime, i love your thoughts and i too am blessed to have you guys in my life. We are so glad to have shared the last year with you, Brian, and Maddie. We love you!
-Jackie
Jaime, it is so fun to see you in a position that the Lord has provided you. I can't think of anyone more suited for "his battle" than you for those kids. You are an amazing teacher and how blessed are they to have such an amazing prayer warrier on their side! Bless you this upcoming semester!
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