Dear Friends,
As the days get shorter and shorter-especially here in North Country, it is very opportune that Jesus the Light of the World comes into our world. May this light shine brightly in your world!!
At this time of year I always look forward to hear what has been going on in your life and the world around you. So far, this has been a good year for me. The only downside was I did not get to Viet Nam this year as four of my travelers had to pull out. I am diligently working on the 2015 trip, which I feel will go. Once again, I would love to have you join me on what people have called, “the trip of a life time.” I really missed seeing all my Vietnamese friends. However, I did enjoy being home for the summer and relished in the great summer we had. I have 99% of my renovations on the house done, so this summer I tackled the outside—which often feels like an invasive jungle. I got help to do two of the gardens, which were weeds. I also expanded my perennials in my huge rock garden—length of the house.
Yet even without Viet Nam 2014 was full of other adventures. In March I made a dream trip to New Zealand. I stayed with my adopted niece in Auckland for a weekend. What I did not know was North Island, where Auckland is located, is built on many volcanoes.
Jennifer and Brice are great tour guides. I then went to the South Island to visit a very dear and long-time friend, Susan and her husband, Phillip. Susan is an A+ tour guide. I saw SO much while I was there including penguins, seals,
a sheep fair
(with 6,000 sheep), sheep shearing and the beauty of the South Island. But that beauty was marred by two earthquakes, a couple of years ago. Downtown Christchurch around the Cathedral still looks like a war zone. One of the most touching memorials to those who died was a section of the centre plaza in which there were
200+ white chairs—all sorts of chairs: dining room ones, recliners, rocking chairs and even small children’s chairs. New Zealand is certainly a place I would return to in a heartbeat.
I even got to see Wallabies
I also did a cruise to Alaska, which I wanted to do because people told me how stunning the scenery was.
It was fun and beautiful, but in all honesty I expected something really spectacular, but in reality it looked very much like my home province of British Columbia.
It seemed over the summer I was “always” at one airport or another. I was elected to the Alumna/e Committee at my seminary. It has been fascinating, but I am glad May will be my last meeting. However, I was back in the Boston area for two reunions—my 50th from High school and my 25th from Seminary. The turnout at the Seminary was disappointing, but the 50th was wonderful. Many of my classmates made it back and catching up was fun.
The last anniversary was my 25th of Ordination to the Priesthood. Last weekend I renewed my and celebrated the service at the church where I am honorary (or as I say ornery assistance).
The other big news was our family grew this year with the birth of my great-nephew, Blake Lloyd,
the beginning of July. This fall I got to spend a week with my nephew, Ryan, and his wife, Lisa and there two beautiful fun daughters Kay and Carly.
I had so much fun playing and reading to them. My nephew, David, moved out of a group home into an apartment of his own and seems to enjoy it.
My constant companion, Mariah my service dog has turned out to be wonderful and she loves to cuddle too!
It seems 2015 will be full of excitement too. I have always wanted to go to Africa, especially South Africa. Yesterday I made plans for a tour in mid-March with travel mostly provided by free Aeroplan miles. I would really enjoy one of you sharing the time with me.
I have been getting amazingly well, since some mechanical changes were made to my prosthesis. I very much enjoy working two afternoons at Habitat for Humanity Restore. It is a great organization and we will finish two homes for families this spring.
May you have a very blessed Christmas season! Fondly, Beth Marie
This one of the two deer that frequent my yard—yes I really do live in the country!
Jennifer and Brice are great tour guides. I then went to the South Island to visit a very dear and long-time friend, Susan and her husband, Phillip. Susan is an A+ tour guide. I saw SO much while I was there including penguins, seals,
a sheep fair 
(with 6,000 sheep), sheep shearing and the beauty of the South Island. But that beauty was marred by two earthquakes, a couple of years ago. Downtown Christchurch around the Cathedral still looks like a war zone. One of the most touching memorials to those who died was a section of the centre plaza in which there were 
200+ white chairs—all sorts of chairs: dining room ones, recliners, rocking chairs and even small children’s chairs. New Zealand is certainly a place I would return to in a heartbeat.
I even got to see Wallabies
I also did a cruise to Alaska, which I wanted to do because people told me how stunning the scenery was. 
It was fun and beautiful, but in all honesty I expected something really spectacular, but in reality it looked very much like my home province of British Columbia.
It seemed over the summer I was “always” at one airport or another. I was elected to the Alumna/e Committee at my seminary. It has been fascinating, but I am glad May will be my last meeting. However, I was back in the Boston area for two reunions—my 50th from High school and my 25th from Seminary. The turnout at the Seminary was disappointing, but the 50th was wonderful. Many of my classmates made it back and catching up was fun.
The last anniversary was my 25th of Ordination to the Priesthood. Last weekend I renewed my and celebrated the service at the church where I am honorary (or as I say ornery assistance).
The other big news was our family grew this year with the birth of my great-nephew, Blake Lloyd,
the beginning of July. This fall I got to spend a week with my nephew, Ryan, and his wife, Lisa and there two beautiful fun daughters Kay and Carly.
I had so much fun playing and reading to them. My nephew, David, moved out of a group home into an apartment of his own and seems to enjoy it.
My constant companion, Mariah my service dog has turned out to be wonderful and she loves to cuddle too!
It seems 2015 will be full of excitement too. I have always wanted to go to Africa, especially South Africa. Yesterday I made plans for a tour in mid-March with travel mostly provided by free Aeroplan miles. I would really enjoy one of you sharing the time with me.
I have been getting amazingly well, since some mechanical changes were made to my prosthesis. I very much enjoy working two afternoons at Habitat for Humanity Restore. It is a great organization and we will finish two homes for families this spring.
May you have a very blessed Christmas season! Fondly, Beth Marie
This one of the two deer that frequent my yard—yes I really do live in the country!
