Merry Christmas, 2004

Our year has been busy, our year has been good.

We've traveled back and forth to our cabin just like we should

Our dog is still crazy, cute, and bizarre

She gets anxious and pants when we're in the car

This year our family lost a grand patriarch

We're chrishing our memories, and keeping them close to our hearts.

We're also gaining a member here and there,

My little sis has a diamond ring to wear!

Here's hoping the season finds you living out peace,

We wish you and yours God's love to keep.

Jeff and Jenny

December 2004

(This was a Christmas letter that I didn't send out in 2004. I think it was just part of my expression of grief that year.)

Christmas, 2004
This year has been a mix of recent sadness and hopeful joy. In early September my grandpa was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. He passed away 2 months after this diagnosis. It has been a whirlwind of emotions and events. Having never lost a grandparent these feelings were new for me and I’ve come to appreciate my family and faith, and the faith of my family even more than before. A verse in Philippians 4 states: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This promise has deceased my fears and anxieties in the past 3 months. And although it is difficult to think of the mortality of us all, it is so uplifting to think of the grace and perfect love that Jesus offers us. That, above all gives me joy.
I hope this season will give you time to reflect and meditate on how you find peace in an imperfect world. I pray you find it in the perfect Gift from the God of the universe-Jesus Christ, his Son.

Merry Christmas, 2003

Merry Christmas, 2003

C is for Cabin, which we purchased in August near Park Rapids MN! Fresh air, water, and pine trees-the perfect getaway for our country hearts!

H is for Hiking the trail at Lake Louise, Alberta to have tea at the Tea House and take marvelous pictures!

R is for Rejoicing in new life! We are now blessed with two beautiful nieces! Mya Jewell Gackstetter is our newest family member!

I is for Invisible Fence, which we and our dog enjoy.

S is for Saskatchewan, Canada; where we spent 5 days at the beginning of June bear hunting.

T is for Tahiti, and Moorea and Bora Bora; we had a wonderful January vacation in the French Polynesian sun and rain.

M is for Mortgage Capitol, Jeff’s business; and the Medicine floor, where I am still practicing nursing.

A is for Another year enjoying God’s gifts and blessings together, with family and friends.

S is for Singing praises for the best Gift ever given: Jesus!

Christmas is a time for reflecting on what gifts you have been given, and how you will use them to benefit your world!
God’s Blessings to you and your families this New Year!!!
Jeff and Jenny

Christmas 2002

Dear Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas!!!!! It hardly feels like December without snow on the ground in MN!! I'm sure by the 25th we will have some white stuff! 2002 has flown by, we hardly know what happened this past year.


Jeff's business Mortgage Capital is still thriving. You might have seen his billboard while traveling on I 94-East, from Albertville to Maple Grove this past summer. He has also become very interested in land development and has dappled in that venture north of Maple Grove. Hunting, of course, still plays a major part of his August through December months. This year has been less successful than past, but he is learning to accept that.


I am still and RN at HCMC on the medical-oncology floor. I am enjoying the complexity of chemotherapy. Work is work, and it is always nice to have a few days off during the week! We are planning a vacation to French Polynesia this January, so we can escape the throes of winter and relax in the South Pacific sun!

Our dog, Lucky, still remains the baby of the household. We have discovered the benefits of a wireless shock collar and have not had to bail her out of puppy jail in a year!!!!!!! Hurrah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We pray this letter find you at peace with your past, present, and future!! As a favorite Selah song sings: "God predestined that His Son would die, and still created man. Oh what love is this that His death was in His plan?" May this great love surround you and your family the year.


God Bless, Jeff and Jenny