Thursday, December 24, 2009

2009 Christmas Letter & Pictures

We hope that 2009 has been a blessed year for yall. 2009 has been a year of surprises & adventures for us.

Russell & C.C. completed their Master of Divinity degrees at Logsdon Seminary in Abilene, Texas, in August. Graduation was December 12, but they were unable to attend because of finances & the long distance that would have had to be traveled.

C.C. was to have done her Clinical Pastoral Education residency in Lubbock, Texas, after graduation, but a last minute change at the hospital there really threw things up into the air. After a mad search to find another hospital that still had an opening, C.C. applied for, was accepted at, & began her residency as a hospital chaplain at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas. She works around 60-70 hours a week both at St. Luke’s as well as at Texas Children’s Hospital. Although the long hours have been a huge adjustment, she honestly loves her job & ministry. The quote that says, “Find a job you love & you'll never work a day in your life” is definitely true for her.

The move to Houston has been a difficult one for Russell. We never imagined that the job market in Houston would be as bad as it is. After a sixteen week search for a job, Russell was finally hired by St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Sugar Land, Texas, to work in their food service area. He still intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Theology in order to teach at the college or seminary level in the future. Current schools of interest are in Texas and Colorado. In the mean time, he is praying about doing a year of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Damaris Mikaelia turned 10 this year. Do we honestly have a daughter in the double digits? It seems like just yesterday when she was born! Damaris is doing well in the 5th grade at Dulles Elementary School. Her favorite subject by far is music. She auditioned for & was accepted into the 5th grade choir which keeps her very busy. She really enjoyed the Colonial Days study that all 5th graders participate in & was thrilled to participate in the program where they performed colonial dances & songs. We’re including a picture of her dressed in her colonial clothing. She is almost as tall as her Momma & is already trying to “borrow” her shoes!

Unfortunately, finances & our new location (& the distance) will prevent us from being with any family for the Christmas holiday. If you’re ever in the Houston area though, come by and visit us. We’d love to see each and every one of you. We pray that 2010 will bring happiness, joy, grace, & peace to you & your family!
Russell, C.C., & Damaris Almon



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