I know many people send out Christmas cards including a brief letter describing what has happened with them and their family throughout the preceding year. Given that I haven't really been posting here, I think such a note from me might be as good as any a use of this blog right now.
So what has happened to me since I last posted in September? I've made many new friends in school from a variety of classes, backgrounds, and ages. I am so pleased to become friends with people I have been acquainted with for up to seven years in many cases. They are all wonderful, beautiful people and I love them very much. The most important friendship I developed is a friendship with a couple separated from me by nearly sixty years. Dr. Bill Decker and his beautiful wife Mary have become some of my dearest friends. Bill and Mary have been incredibly gracious and loving to me. They can both attest that I spend an incredible amount of time with them - more than any of my other friends. From eating lunch and dinner, to spoiling their cats, listening to music, going to opera, visiting cities, and our weekly trip to Saint Stephen's in Wilkes-Barre, I have had incredible fun and memories with them that I will cherish forever.
On Christmas Eve 2011, I became the Organist and Choirmaster at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Bloomsburg, heading a choir of about twenty talented and dedicated singers. We rehearse twice a week and sing a wide variety of literature. I have made many friends through my new post at Saint Paul's and I could not be more grateful.
This Sunday, we will have our annual parish meeting, I have a report regarding the music program prepared - many things are looking good for Saint Paul's! Our membership has grown, we had a surplus due to far more income than we were expecting (a very exciting surprise), a new and successful fundraising committee, choral evensongs, and a forthcoming website. Most exciting of all, my friend John Shirley is preparing to enter the priesthood.
My grandparents are in Dayton now, I'll be visiting them in a few weeks for my audition in Oberlin. I am also auditioning at Eastman and Westminster Choir College in the coming weeks. I am very excited!
My sister Maeve is doing Super Saturday as well as Zumba for kids. She has also signed up to play soft ball! Riley has had some illnesses and visits to the hospital, but remains resilient and ever-vibrant! He's the funniest guy I know. Wilder has gone to Dayton to spend the rest of the semester with our grandparents. He rode a plane for the first time (and drove it! Courtesy of our uncle Dan sho is a flight instructor).
I am very thankful for friendship, peace, laughter, travel, church, school, music, play, and family. I've had a lot of those things this year and I am so blessed for it!
