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17 December 2005
Greetings and salutations from wintery Michigan, where we were cheerily informed by a weatherman last night that it has snowed 18 out of the last 18 days, and 22 out of the last 24 days. And, it is snowing today! And snow is forecast for the foreseeable future! Yes, we are glad to be back in Michigan after our short stay in comparatively balmy England.
This has been a year of traveling for us, most of which is probably not all that noteworthy, but I will bless you with an overview of the details anyway. The year began with a trip to Germany at New Year where we stayed with my sister Lois Wollin and her family. My sister Rebecca, her husband Tim, two of their children, plus my nephew Will Bibee and my mother were also there. We posted some of the pictures on the Internet at http://homepage.mac.com/kramars/PhotoAlbum27.html.
In March Joyce's parents Ed and Peggy Holley came for a visit. Pictures from several of our outings around England and Wales are posted at PhotoAlbum30 (replace "27" with "30" in the above address), PhotoAlbum31, and PhotoAlbum32.
My assignment in England ended at the end of March, but rather than rushing straight home we spent most of three weeks riding trains in staying in hostels throughout southwestern Europe. When we weren't lost, wet, cold, or confused we had a wonderful time. Pictures from some of the locations are in PhotoAlbum33, PhotoAlbum34, PhotoAlbum35, PhotoAlbum36, PhotoAlbum37, and PhotoAlbum38.
Our move back to Grand Rapids at the end of April was fairly routine, except that on our arrival we were informed by Lynne and her boyfriend Ben Slates that they were now engaged (no date set, though). It was nice to begin to settle back into Grand Rapids life, but it wasn't long before itchy wheels got us rolling and we drove to the Alabama coast for a Scott family reunion. On our way home we detoured through Texas to pick up Lynne's things that got left behind after she had to leave ACU because of a severe bout of depression. My niece Tina Wollin was able to join us for a month this summer and accompanied us on our southern journey. With my vacation days running short, I thought that perhaps my traveling days were coming to an end for the year, but we managed to squeeze in a trip to visit my brother John and his family over July 4th holiday. Pictures from both of these summer trips are at PhotoAlbum39.
In September I started traveling every week or two to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to help get the installation portion of my new project started. Joyce and the kids got tired of me getting to do all of the traveling without them, so they hopped in our VW van and drove from Grand Rapids to Allentown via Canada to join me in Pennsylvania for a few days. Pictures from this trip, with stops in Quakertown and Philadelphia, are at PhotoAlbum42.
About this time I learned that my mother was going to be honored at the Pan American Lectureships in Lima, Perú, for the years and effort she and my father expended as missionaries in Perú. My sister Julie thought it would be fun if some of us could surprise Mom by showing up at the lectureships. Joyce and I, my sisters Lois and Doris, Julie and her husband Manuel, and my cousin Raye Kramar were all able to join my mother in Lima for the week. It was a wonderful visit down memory lane for most of us, and a nice introduction to Lima for others. Of course, there are some pictures at PhotoAlbum41.
With this last trip to Lima I was forced to use the last of my vacation days, so now I am stuck in Grand Rapids with short business trips to PA occasionally for work. So far, Joyce and kids have stayed here with me! What could they possibly find to do at home? Lynne (21) took classes at the local community college this semester and lived at home. John (18) has a plethora of computers and computer parts on a large table in the basement that occupy most of his free time (either tearing apart and rebuilding or playing games - or both), though he is starting to enjoy the freedom of his new driver's license. Philip (16) spends a lot of time with his computer, also, but more time chatting with his friends and playing games than tearing it apart and rebuilding it. Philip is also getting more and more interested in playing the guitar and is slowly teaching some friends to play other instruments in the hopes of putting together a band. Cara (13) reads, chats with friends, and just finished a drama class she took this semester at the home school building with a very nice performance. Joyce is busy cooking and home schooling while at the same time trying to maintain sanity and order in our constantly changing world. The latest change is the announcement from Lynne and Ben that they have picked a wedding date only two weeks from now (1 January 2006)! (Yes, we will probably post a picture or two somewhere on http://homepage.mac.com/kramars/ in the near future) So, now you know why Joyce delegated the Christmas letter tasks to me this year.
We hope that you are all well, and that God will bless you keep you this year and for all eternity.
Love,
Steve
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