Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas 2013

I realized after I sent out cards to family and links, that it's actually 2013, hahaha

Please note new address, Email us if you 

would like to know it, azdmarie@gmail.com

So, this year, we have decided to go digital except for those we do not have FB or an email for. It just makes sense in the digital age. Last year, you know that we ended the year the weekend after Thanksgiving by taking a leap of faith and moving. We rented our house while it was for sale, and rented a place ourselves and enrolled our children and our lives in a new area. I never thought how hard it would be after 18 years in one place. Fortunately the kids have adjusted great!

Our highlights

Bret-  After over 5 years of volunteer service as bishop of the Duncan ward (our local church unit), he was released. And in our new ward, was asked to be the Sunday School teacher. He's never been in so much heaven as far as his church service. We moved again and they asked him to do the same. Only two weeks later, a new bishopric was formed, and Bret was asked to be the first counselor. So, his rest was short lived but he has a great attitude about it. He continues teaching Institute. The end of this year marks 25 years in Seminary and Institute.

Dawn-  She graduated from her 2 year rural leadership program after a trip to Washington DC. Went from teaching the Teen girls (YW) to being in the Primary Presidency to teaching the 5 year olds. :-) Attended some seminars that helped her clarify her vision for her business. TBA. Had a good year in real estate with the exception of sale and purchase of our homes. Both had difficult flood zone issues, even though neither will ever flood. Became a student again studying science courses in preparation for a Masters in Functional Nutrition. Chased all the children with their activities. Life is good! 

 Andrew and Elizabeth- Our oldest hit their 1 year anniversary. Spent the Summer selling pest control in Denver doing really well. And announced their plans to make us grandparents! We are thrilled and baby Charity will be here at the beginning of February. They graduate in May (ASU) and will be headed to the Phoenix valley for the summer for more pest control. And then, whatever the future brings.

Chris and Anica Rose (pronounced Uh neek' a)-  Christopher is no longer a single entry in the Christmas letter. He married a beautiful inside and out girl from Thatcher, Az. on August 10. They are working and going to school. (ASU) We look forward to his new wonderful life with his new wonderful bride.

Joseph aka Elder Norton- Joseph continues to serve as a missionary for our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) in Ogden, Utah of all places. You may remember that Drew went to the same mission. He recently had the adventurous experience of dislocating his shoulder. He says of all of his injuries, it was the most painful of all. His letters are happy and full of faith and love for his Savior. He loves his mission, but it will come to an end in 87 days as of this writing. (December 20).

 Jefferson- Jefferson graduated from High School this year. He went with his older brothers to Denver, but came home when we left the country for a few weeks. He is almost ready to go be a missionary himself but is working and saving money and waiting for his older brother to come home. He works at our local Hawaiian restaurant and is very well liked and respected by his boss. He gets some good hours but we hardly ever see him. He's either working, with friends, or over at Drew and Elizabeth's house.

Emily- We aren't sure how Emily ended up turning 16 this year, but she did a few weeks ago. We also aren't sure we like it. But Emily is a well grounded happy girl. Her uncle used to call her Smiley when she was little. And that sums her up. Most people don't believe me when I tell them I have a no drama teenage girl. She takes life with a grain of salt and she celebrates and enjoys it. She is involved with volleyball, basketball, choir, and we hope to get the remaining children back in piano soon.

Noah- Noah is 13 and growing, emphasis on the word growing, into a great young man. He has been on Knowledge Bowl and plays the trumpet in the band. He is starting tennis lessons and is taking a media production class. He's always filming and editing some project. Kinda fun. He's super funny like his older brother/s Joseph. He does well in school and we couldn't be happier with how he's "turning out." Next year...HIGH SCHOOL???

Olivia- Olivia is 10 and in fifth grade. She is one special girl. Her art skills continue to grow. She is also taking dance. And she just started basketball. She is so detail oriented. I learn so much from her. She pays attention to others and is very kind and considerate. She takes her school seriously and gets good grades. She'll be in Jr High next year. She's very excited to be an aunt!

 

  

The other big story for us was our trip of a lifetime with our good friends the Halversons to Israel. Bret saved every vacation day and we exercised faith in the hopes that we could scrape the money together for the trip. There aren't enough words or space to describe what we experienced. We share a very few of the over 1000 pictures that we took below and a list of highlights. Our lives are changed forever. The scriptures have come to life and hardly a week goes by that we don't see in our minds the things we read in them at church and at home.

Jerusalem

Golgotha (Calvary)

Garden tomb

Gethsemane

I'll NEVER EVER forget Galilee

Original temple entrance

Valley of Elah (David and Goliath)

THE Wall on the Sabbath (Shabat Shalom)

The "stable" (hint: It's not a stable)

Shepherd's Field

Pater Noster (Church of the Lord's Prayer) and there are churches EVERYWHERE!

THE temple wall under the temple

 Eastern gate of the temple. See the cemetery? The Palestinians put it there thinking Christ won't use the prophesied gate because of laws around the dead. Hmm, think it'll work?

SOME of the places we experienced.

Herod's burial and fortress

Masada

Jerusalem (under, over, through)

Bethlehem

Nazareth
Tomb of the Patriarchs

West Bank

Syria

Galilee (swimming in the Sea of)

Jacob's Well

Capernaum

Tiberius

River Jordan (standing in)

Cesarea

Joppa

It wasn't planned for us to go to Egypt even though this tour has gone before. And good thing. All the Egypt stuff this summer broke out while we were in Israel. If you ever have the opportunity, we encourage you to go. Or make the opportunity and go. Best wishes to all of our friends and family. Merry Christmas and Happy New year. From the Norton family

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