"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!" Hamilton Wright Mabre.
Tis that season again, the time to reflect on the past 12 months and sum them up in a few short sentences. Upon our arrival last year to Ohio, we found ourselves living out of boxes in a small 2 bedroom apartment. We set about the business of finding a place to call home, a job, and a church family. I started out in the emergency room of our local hospital, soon realizing my talents did not lie in the adrenaline rich moments of life. I am currently on the medical unit, and feel fortunate to be in a place where I can utilize my strengths. John continues to stay at home raising our two boys, and restoring another house on the side. His name is becoming well known in the neighborhood as the handy man on the corner of Potwin and East Vine. All summer long passerby's and drivers alike would wave or honk their horn with a thumbs up sign hanging out the window. We have seen the power and hand of God throughout the process of relocating here to Ohio. He has provided us many new opportunities to serve Him, and in turn blessed our lives with sustenance, wisdom and encouragement. It has been a real treat to be nearer to parents and grandparents, and be able to celebrate in life's moments as they are happening. Our boys are becoming more comfortable with each other, and realizing the benefits of having each other in their lives. They keep each other busy, and challenge each other in ways only they can appreciate or need. Our new place of residence is near downtown, and so we are privy to the celebrations, parades, farmers markets, and local faire right out our front door. We have two universities within a 5 mile radius, and an old railroad converted into a walking path that we have utilized fairly regularly this past summer. There have been many activities and the such to keep us busy this year, and more to come I am sure. We welcome visitors, and so if you find yourselves in our neck of the woods stop by. We have much to celebrate this season, and much to be thankful for. So from our family to yours, here are a few Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness
To an opponent, tolerance
To a friend, your heart
To a customer, service
To all charity
To every child, a good example
To yourself, respect
Oren Arnoid
