303 Creek Bend
League City, Texas 77573
17 December 1982

Dear Family and Friends,

God will "do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think." Eph. 3:20

In May, while preparing for a weekend trip to Corpus Christi with friends, I lost my diamond. We realized that since we had no idea where it had fallen out, there was no prospect of recovering it. Nevertheless, we prayed, thanking God for the outcome and proceeded with our plans.

Picnicking at the beach at South Padre Island, staying overnight at the Holiday Inn, and changing a tire on the way home made for many transfers of luggage to and from the back of the Aspen wagon. Later, while vacuuming the sand out of the car, that loose diamond popped out of the carpeting! I experienced then the joy the angels felt (Luke 15) over finding that which was lost.

At Christmas time again, we are so vividly reminded of how great God's desire is to find each of us and meet our innermost needs--so great that the God of the Universe Himself became a man and dwelt among us, to seek and to save that which was lost. How much more valuable are these precious people than any jewel or possession!

This week marks my first anniversary of teaching kindergarten at Northside Elementary in Texas City. Craig and I carpool together, since he also works there as a chemical engineer for Amoco Oil Refinery. He recently moved into a new office building and, after spending six months in the accounting department, he now works in Technical Services.

Rachel has gotten a lot taller and more independent this year. She enjoys first grade and learning to read, and, follow 8 stitches and many bruises, she has learned to ride her bike. Aaron toddles into everything. We have video-taped many 'Landmarks' of '82--Rachel's kindergarten program, and pulling her first tooth; Aaron's first steps, first haircut, first birthday, etc.

Craig returned to Iowa in March for his parents' 50th anniversary. The kids and I went to Waukon for our 10 year high school reunion. My sister Anne came for Thanksgiving and Craig's folks and nephew Nathan are here in December. Craig's  uncle Isadore and Aunt Ginger from Maryland visited last spring. We love to have company, so when you get the chance, come see us:

Our prayer for each of you this blesses season is from Ephesians 3: 16-21: "That he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man: so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, Amen."

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Aldriches:

click here to see original letter

back