Merry Christmas 2014 from Joe & Elaine Vandegriff
Oh how we want to brag on our 6 wonderful grandkids. 2 in Texas. 4 in Maryland.
But first, it’s Christmas. And that’s what matters the most. Christmas is when we focus on others instead of ourselves; when we long for peace on earth with the goodness of God blanketing the earth and covering all people; when we sing about love and joy; when we think of Jesus and the hope that comes from living the Way he shows us, the Way of grace and love even for enemies, the Way of humble and courageous leadership that doesn’t follow the crowd, the Way of goodness and justice to all people including the poor, the forgotten, the outcasts and even sinners and enemies.
Merry Christmas. And may God bless us, every one.
OK. Now, the grandkids.
Ellie: 18, 3rd generation freshman at Taylor University studying film and media. Wants to make movies and be The Director.
Johan: 16, home school sophomore, excellent computer and robot geek, working on Eagle Scout and driving license.
Dessie: 14, 9th grader in the 8th best high school in the USA, tennis team, learning guitar and piano, very artistic.
Celeste: 13, home school 7th grade, reads everything, creative in sewing and cooking, big heart, wants to be a nurse.
Cora: 12 (almost 13), 7th grade, national junior honor society officer, volleyball A team, Miss Popularity at her school.
Lincoln: 10, 5th grade home school, geek in the making, new boy scout, swim team, learning piano, very happy guy.
And, oh yes, they have parents.
Jon & Sharon in Maryland – both heavily involved in doing a fine job of home schooling their kids. Jon works on software that handles scientific satellite data at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and coaches a robot competition team including Johan. Sharon is a very busy stay-at-home mom running the schooling.
Hubert & Joan in Austin – two working parents who also provide Dad & Mom’s Taxi Service for their daughters and friends. Hubert works on network equipment planning and deployment for Verizon and is our patient smart-phone consultant. Joan works in corporate communication for GM in Austin and gets to drive a new car every 6 months.
As for us Old Folks, road trip warriors we are. Went on 6 extended road trips for over 25,000 miles, mostly visiting family around the country: California, Wyoming, Colorado, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Maryland, vacation in Maine and in Arizona (4 corners area).
If we haven’t see you this year, please fill out the Old Folks Visit Request Form to be put in our 2015 itinerary, but beware–we just might come by. Joe always travels with his electrical tool box. So have your chore list ready.
Besides seeing Cora’s volleyball games (district champs!) and Dessie’s tennis matches in Texas, we attended performances of the Home School Theater in Maryland which involved all of Jon & Sharon’s family and watched Johan’s winning robotic team compete. Obviously, we are proud of our family and enjoy sharing in all these activities.
We have been SO BLESSED by God that now our daily prayer is to BE A BLESSING to others. Merry Christmas
2014
Vandegriff and Tien Family Photos






