A Toast to a Sister, 2006

Affection is defined as "a tender feeling toward another." We are all here today to celebrate the affection that Jina and Eddie have for each other. But all of us in the room have a certain degree of affection for Jina and Eddie also.
I first learned to have affection toward Jina when she became my sister in-law 6 years ago. I already had 2 younger sisters, and Jina was a nice addition. A year after our wedding Jina came to live with her brother and myself, during her summer break from Nursing school. It was during this time that my affection for her started to grow. She became the greatest friend! I discovered that we had a lot in common, and that summer was spent talking, drinking coffee, and scrapbooking. Of course she and I are also part of the same profession, and a part of the same great family. The summer that Jina lived with us, she and I became more than sisters by law, we became sisters by heart.
As her sister, I was sad and happy for her to move to CA. Happy for the adventure, opportunity and change; and sad that my sister and confidant had to leave. My sadness lessened when I met Edward. Jina didn’t know it at the time, but no boyfriend of her’s had ever met her older brother’s expectations, that is until Eddie came to MN.
While here, Jina and Eddie and Jeff and I went to a Timberwolves/Lakers game. One thing I learned about Eddie is that he is a devoted Lakers fan. We still liked Eddie after he and Jina wore their Lakers jerseys and cheered loudly for the Lakers in Timberwolve territory. Jeff and I were so happy when we heard that the man who compliments Jina so well, would become a part of our family.
My hope is that Jina and Eddie, will grow in affection for each other and for each other’s families. I wish you many safe travels to MN, and many many years of companionship and marriage together!
So, please raise your glasses and help me wish my sister and her new husband many years of happiness in this world! Cheers!!!

A Toast to a Sister, 2005

Michelle was just a baby when I first got a glimpse
Of her black puffy hair and her super tight grip

Through the years she's developed supersonic strength
Not only in muscles, but in character at length

Fear has never been an emotion that she's known
Big roller coasters and off the high dive she has flown

Soon a great guy from Lake Benton was calling
Long talks and double dates, in love my little sis was falling

Day turned into weeks, which then turned into years
Tony and Michelle endured amid family cheers!

So the girls in our family are getting far out-weighed
David Merle tipped the scales when he came out to play

We're so glad Tony's become a part of our family
A perfect match for our Michelle, even Dad will agree

Through calm and stormy weather Michelle and Tony have always shown
The best characteristics that I have ever known

Faith, hope and love, seems to be the motto that they share
Many years of wedded bliss for them is my prayer

So raise your glass of bubbly and we will all celebrate
This love that God has brought together, oh yes it is great! Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Poem 2005

2005 went by quickly and sad
We mourn the loss of Jeff's Grandad

Friends and family help us frequent the cabin
We enjoy every minute that we have them

A baby nephew was born in June
Perfect he is! We're watching him bloom

Two more brothers in-law, Jeff will boast
Weddings galore! And people we love most

A sister each, we now have in the West
Plane trips and phone calls will pass the test

Golfing, hunting and learning to wake board
These are the hobbies that Jeff likes to hoard

While Jenny enjoys work and crafty pursuits
Time with family is always a hoot!

Enjoy the time that you have here on Earth
But remember the promise of Jesus' birth!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff and Jenny

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