Catching Up
How are we all doing? Just fine. Fran’s days are normal and uneventful. That makes me feel secure, but I’m sure it taxes his daily focus. We keep at our daily tasks. Keep the house functioning. Trash day still comes around every Tuesday. The food has to be prepared. Laundry still begs to be done. As we approach the holidays, it is a little different though.
We tried to plan to go to NY to see Fran’s family for Thanksgiving, but the van now has a broken part. We’re driving Fran’s car until we get the van fixed. That won’t be happening until next week some time. We do have “family” nearby, though, and we’ll stay close to home so that squishing into a little car, or taking both little cars, won’t be a big deal! I’m thankful for the re-invite from our friends in Georgetown. They heard of our canceled plans, and they were right there making sure we had a place to spend the day.
We’re pretty sure that the boys should be able to put out the Christmas lights on the front porch. They’ve helped Fran with this, one of his pet projects, for several years now. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem. We’ve been rounding up our own tree for years now, so that should be easy enough.
I don’t know what the actual holiday days will be like. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s. Time will tell. We have our normal life here: friends, familiar places, familiar traditions, it will all mostly be here for us.
It’s Fran I pray for. I hope he has enough friendships with some of the folks he works with over there, to make the season cheery and bright, despite the miles between him and his family. While I was away from everyone during Student Project, I missed my family, but there was still joy and fun in the doing. At times I wished my kids were with me sharing in my experience, but I knew they were building their own set of memories where they were. I have the same hope for Fran where he is.
I was trying to choose a piece of clip art for my annual Christmas mailing. I saw camels, and searched around a bit. In all my years looking at Christmas scenes, I never really thought much about the camels. Never did I dream that someone in my family would be living nearer than ever to the scene where it all took place so many years ago. Christmas, Jesus’ birth, camels, they all fit together! So, maybe I’ll do camels. It might tie us together somehow.
November 29th, 2006 at 11:20 am
As usual, I’m behind in reading your blog, and I didn’t even realize that I had missed this entry. Aimee just came out near me, and I was showing her all the pictures of Fran that you’ve posted (and yes, she thinks Asher would want Fran’s rugby shirt, so I’m pretty sure they’re all “cool” over there), and I went back to this one and realized it didn’t look familiar.
I feel so much for you and your family . . . and that comes from someone who isn’t terribly “feely.” I only spent one Thanksgiving holiday away from Rein and the kids and that was because I was sick and couldn’t go to Ohio. Of course I was miserable physically, but it was hard otherwise, too. I can’t imagine what it’s like for you to be away not only on the holidays, but on all the days in between. I pray for you to receive the Lord’s grace and His comfort in the depths of your heart like no one else can give . . . and the same for Fran and your kids. I wish I could do something to make it different, to make it better, but I know I can’t . . . other than pray. But do give yourself a big hug (go ahead, really) from me. Also, know that we (our church) sent Fran four boxes of fun stuff (which I will email you and tell you about, since I know Fran reads this, and I don’t want him to know quite yet, until he gets the packages :-P), but we had fun shopping and getting the stuff ready.
And . . . a camel seems quite fitting for you all this season. Whenever I see one on a card this year, I’ll think of all my friends and loved ones who are serving in the desert . . . and their families who are back here missing them.
Love you, my dear.
November 30th, 2006 at 8:19 am
Suzie,
I sent your church a thank you card! The stuff was great that you guys sent. I kinda played “Santa” spreading around the items. It was hard to keep the story short about “How my wife met this woman in GA at a TeenPact event…….”
Again, thank you for your enthusiasm and support. It means a lot!
Fran
November 30th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Hello Fran,
I’m Rein Bontreger, Suzie’s husband. I just wanted to say a BIG THANKS! to you and all the rest for your dedicated sacrifice and service. I’m filled with joy that Suzie’s idea has been of encouragement. We all had fun helping her. We remember you faithufully in prayer and stand at the ready to whatever we can to support you. All you need to do is let us know what we can do!
Blessings In Christ!
Rein Bontreger