Merry Christmas!

White House Christmas Tree - 2010

Merry Christmas!!!!

Love,

Ruedi and Whitney

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...

This is definitely not something I would have encountered on a walk in Texas! From what I hear, it was in the 60's there today.

For those who have asked, here is Ruedi's 4-Runner. His name is Smokey. But I call him 'da Bear.

Avery just can't let go of Texas. I don't blame her.

The trick to staying warm (HOT even) is layers. And I have quite a few on.

There's Ruedi. He's been in Jersey this week for job training. He's the one that told me it was snowing!

Miscellaneous observations:

• Life proceeds here when there is snow.
• The school crossing guard up the road drives a silver Bug.
• Walking on snow is very similar to walking on sand. I prefer snow, hands down.
• This is more snow that I have seen in Texas for ... Oh, probably my entire life.
• The bulldozer's parked throughout our complex parking lots tipped me off that snow is serious business around here. I think I will refrain from driving until April.
• In light of that, I am quite thankful to have well within walking distance: 2 grocery stores, TARGET, Starbucks, at least 2 Sushi places, McDonald's, IHOP, 5 Guys' burgers, a PO box, among many other options.
• Christmas music + falling snow + a walk around the neighborhood = joy.

Grace and Peace.

(In case you were worried, Ruedi's 4-Runner is 4-wheel drive and he is quite competent to drive in the snow. So I have a personal chauffeur till April ... )

A brief review of 2009/2010

As you probably know by now, Ruedi and I got married in March of 2009 – which is where our update will begin! At the time, Ruedi had just graduated from LeTourneau University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Science and was looking for full time employment. Our search was coming up rather dry when an opportunity was presented to us. We were introduced to a company that fly’s UAV’s (unmanned aircraft) overseas in support of military operations. The pay was great, as were the benefits. The downside was that it would require about 4 months of stateside training and 11 months of deployment overseas. As difficult a decision as it was, we felt this was where God was leading us, so we moved forward and Ruedi left for training on June 11th, 2009 and shipped out for his first deployment on October 27^th. He was able to come home for a month of R & R in April and then went back for his final 5 months. He arrived back to the states on October 27^th of this year.

Meanwhile, we decided that I would continue with our plans in Longview – live in our apartment and continue working at LeTourneau University as the Facilities and Event Coordinator/Summer Residence Manager and House Manager for the Belcher Center. These jobs kept me sufficiently busy and allowed the time to pass quite quickly. I continued spending time with friends and family in the area, traveling for work and leisure occasionally and keeping Ruedi up-to-date on life in the states via our continual e-mail communications.

As I said, he came home at the end of October, at which point we began our ‘leaving’ process. He had interviewed and gotten a job within his company at their headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland (just north of Baltimore) as a Senior Flight Crew member – serving as (simply put) a test-UAV pilot. I finished out my job at LeTourneau on October 26^th, the moving crew came on November 11^th and left with all our belongings on the 12^th. Luckily, we had been able to take a ‘home finding’ trip to our new home at the beginning of November, so we had an apartment lined up and a destination in mind. We said goodbye to friends and family and got on the plane (with one way tickets!) for Baltimore on November 15^th. And a whirlwind it has been since! We have gotten moved in and are working on getting unpacked. We’ve gotten new driver’s licenses and registrations, the whole nine yards.

Ruedi started his job on December 6^th – so, thankfully, we had quite a bit of time to get things situated in our new home before he had to get to business. At the moment, I am searching for jobs in the area. We’ll keep praying and looking!

When Ruedi first left for training, and then his deployments, the situation seemed never ending. Now that we have finished it, we are amazed at how fast it went and how beneficial it was for our relationship. We worked hard to stay connected and appreciate each other however we could. We had good days and bad days. But we made it! Now we have to readjust to being together! Here’s to a great 2^nd-first year of marriage!

Grace and peace!

Land of Mary.

Tomorrow, this is home.

2009 in Review.

This sums up our 2009:

It was a great year.