In short, 2012 ended with the groundbreaking of our Santa Monica house and 2013 started with the major renovation process. It's been a long and challenging, but fulfilling project. For Erin, 2013 was about her college acceptance and prayerful consideration to attend Pepperdine University. For Ryan, 2013 was about his amazing, rapid physical growth and changes, and his LAUSD 1st place Palisades Charter High School Marching Band (Division 4A.) For 2013, Alice remains as the anchor and main support of not only our family, but also the co-caretaker of her 92 y.o mom! For Henry, this year meant finishing strong and completing his final year (6 yrs.) as Elder at EFCLA/HarvestLA and is looking forward to a long-deserved sabbatical.
Alice
Alice is thankful for her mom's good health. She's 92 y.o. and going strong. She thanks God that during the stresses of the Ashland house renovation that she and Henry still talk to each other. With the help of her good artist friend, Terri, who helped Alice pick out colors and patterns, Alice can finally see the kitchen and walk-in closet of her dreams become reality. She is thankful that Erin is attending a wonderful college that is close to home and that her relationship with her has grown. Alice has new gray hairs thanks to Ryan, but he is growing and maturing from a boy to young man. Patience, Alice... patience. It's a tough process, but no one ever said that parenting was easy.
In 2013, Henry had 3 major challenges: Work, the house and HarvestLA church. Henry's agency, New Century Insurance Services, struggled in the beginning of 2013 almost losing 7 personnel! Yet, he is grateful that 2 key staff stayed to help stabilize the agency help hire new staff. The agency lost 6 but hired 10. We thank God that despite the challenges, Henry's work and agency continues to grow. As for the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, Henry was certified for CoveredCA, but somehow the website and administrators suddenly "withdrew his certification." Before that he informed many people about the plans, the subsidies available and how to enroll. But he is not very fond of the website and enrollment process. At church, Henry is finally finishing his term as Elder at EFCLA/HarvestLA. He was the chairperson the 2013 Missions Conference and Young Adult Ministry task force. He served 12 of the past 13 years and is truly looking forward to his sabbatical to rest, relax, renew and refresh in 2014.
ErinErin turned 18 yo in April, graduated from Santa Monica High School and now attends Pepperdine University. She has been coming home every 2 or 3 weekends because she is either sick and needs TLC and rest, or she wants to borrow the car. Henry & Alice are so happy that she has wonderful new friends, yet she keeps strong ties with her church and high school friends. Erin is very hipster. Even Ryan thinks so too. Read more about Erin's 2013 by clicking here.
Ryan
Ryan will be 16 y.o. next month, in January. Experiencing the transformation from a boy to teenager has been challenging. Several years ago, Ryan suffered from an acute auto-immune disorder where he could not eat and could barely walk. He did not grow an inch for an entire year. We prayed and prayed and God answered our prayers and healed him "completely." Today, Ryan is strong and healthy and "big." He grew about 5" or 6" this year. Next, brain development! Read more about Ryan's 2013 highlights by clicking here.Santa Monica House Renovation
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