Classique

Monday, December 13, 2010

Merry Christmas from the Martins-2010

Well here it is, December has rolled around once again. It is time for the annual Christmas letter. I decided to post it on the web this year and spare all those who hate Christmas letters. So for those interested, here is what we have been doing this year:

Adam is half way through his senior year at Hart High School. He now has a car (we purchased a used mission car) and gets himself to Seminary, school, church, and many other activities. He serves on the Stake Youth Committee for Church and yes, he actually does attend Stake youth dances and activities. He has recently re-read all seven Harry Potter books but has only seen the latest movie twice. (He's been studying to take the ACT exam which he sat for last Saturday). Adam is still an avid fan of the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers.

Christopher is in his final month serving as a missionary in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo Oeste (West) Mission. He will be leaving the DR and coming to Santa Clarita, California to join us on January 19, 2011. He is serving as a Zone Leader in San Juan which is not far from the Haitian border. Almost every week Christopher reports of baptism(s) or progressing investigators. He is working hard to be a good missionary right up to the end. He will resume his studies at BYU after he spends a few months getting reacquainted with his family and friends.

Justin and Kara are finishing up their bachelors degrees at Brigham Young University. Justin is busy applying and interviewing at different medical schools. He still loves to participate in sports. His degree is in Neuroscience. Kara's degree will be in Biology Education. She just finished a major entomology project where she gathered and classified over 300 bugs. (This has made her the favorite aunt amongst some of her new nieces and nephew who delighted to help her with the collecting.) The couple have a pet snake named Zeus.

Jerry (Jr.) finished his schooling at BYU earning a Master of Accountancy degree in April. He recently passed all four CPA exams so he is now licensed. He is living in our home in Plano and is employed by Deloitte Touche working in their audit department. He has two pets. They are both exotic Ball Pythons. He has plans to get more. Jerry is the Ward Mission Leader of the singles ward in the Dallas area.

Jenae, Brett, Ashlin, Rachel and (soon), Lillian Boren. The Borens are living in Lehi, Utah. Brett is still enjoying his job with Private Capital Group (PCG). He loves playing sports and is always up-to-date on the latest technology. Jenae loves being home with her daughters. She is excited to get back to running. She will begin training for her next several half marathons (after Lillian is born, of course). Ashlin (5) is enjoying Kindergarten. She loves to sing, dance, and do art projects. Rachel loves her dance class. She also likes to ride her scooter and swim under water. Lillian, who is due in late December will not likely make press time for this post.

Kindra, Neil, Brooklin, Bailey, Luke and Logan
Ronér. The Ronérs live in Sharpsburg, Georgia where Neil recently became an FX trader for Novelis. In his spare time he loves golfing and playing basketball. Kindra loves to photograph her children, sew, and is re-decorating their house. Brooklyn (6) is in first grade. She is following in her mother's footsteps and loves her soccor team. She is very friendly and is always helping others. Bailey (5) is in pre-kindergarten. She is current on all the pre-K drama (who is holding hands with whom and who is engaged to whom, etc.) She is also up on all the pre-teen lingo "for real." Luke (3) is a very independent little man. He loves to be outdoors and mows the lawn with his very own lawn mower. He is helping paint the house. Logan who joined the family April 26, 2010 weighing in at 8lbs 3 ounces is now 20 lbs, crawls and is a happy baby boy.

Alyssa, Ryan, Katelyn, and Marin Christensen. The Christensens live in Lehi, Utah. Alyssa is a microbiologist at Richards Laboratory in Pleasant Grove. Her favorite hobby is reading. Ryan (7) is in second grade. He is a budding astronomist who also loves venomous animals and tall buildings. Katelyn (5) is in Kindergarten. She is a dancer and will soon start gymnastics too. She loves to draw and color. Marin (almost 4) is also a dancer who loves to smell everything. She enjoys swinging and swimming.

Camie, Spencer, Benjamin, Joshua, and Dallin Carroll. The Carrolls live in Orange, California where Spencer is an administrator over two skilled healthcare facilities. Camie enjoys life as a stay-at-home mom. Three boys keep her very busy. Benjamin (4) is in pre-school. His latest love is dinosaurs. Joshua, who will be two in March, is a cute toddler who keeps his parents very busy. He is into everything. Dallin, born December 10, 2010 weighing in at 7lbs. 3 ounces and 19" long is an adorable addition to the Carroll family.

Jerry and Gemie (a.k.a. President & Sister Martin) are spending our second Christmas in the mission field. At the end of this month we will be half way through our mission. How time flies when you're having fun! We have been doing a lot of public speaking. On one recent weekend, President Martin spoke in six different meetings. He spoke in the evening session of one Stake Conference, the Morning session of another, three different leadership training sessions and a fireside. (And he wonders why he is so tired all the time). When we started the mission, we had about 135 missionaries. We will end this year with 194 missionaries. Although we feel the added responsibility, we are grateful for each wonderful Elder and Sister we serve with. Seeing their testimonies and capacities grow, strengthens ours. We know the Gospel is true and that the work we are engaged in is truly our Savior’s.

We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!