This is the newsletter that we sent out a few weeks ago. To those of you who did not receive it, here it is. It is quite lengthy-read at your own risk :)
Enjoy!
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Happy Holidays to all!
I (Vanessa) decided it would be fun to update you all on my lovely family in this 2010 edition of our family newsletter. J
Back in December 2009/January 2010, our family took a three week road trip up the east coast. Mom called it our “American History field trip.” Jonathan and I just wanted to see all of the places portrayed in our favorite movie, “National Treasure.” J In Washington DC, we toured the White House, the Capitol, and the Library of Congress. We also saw the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Washington Monument, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. In New York, we walked through Times Square, visited the Statue of Liberty, and toured the immigration museum on Ellis Island. We experienced authentic colonial life in Williamsburg, Virginia and also toured Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s home. After visiting Founders Hall and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we bravely endured below freezing temperatures at Niagara Falls. Our last stop was in Kentucky where we visited the Institute for Creation Research’s Creation Museum. Complete with snow to last a lifetime, that trip was one of the highlights of my young life. I (Vanessa, 17) am currently a senior in high school and am facing all of the major decisions, stress, and drama that usually accompanies this season of life. I am so blessed to have wonderful, Godly parents who are walking this journey of life with me and guiding me with their incredible wisdom and counsel. I am so thankful for them. In June, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer for a month at a local hospital here in Sugar Land. God used this time to confirm that this is where he wants me. I will be starting my basics for Nursing next semester at Wharton County Junior College, and I couldn’t be more excited! Currently, I am serving as the President of Fort Bend Youth and Government, a mock congress program with the YMCA, which has over 60 Legislative and Judicial members. This year, I have learned so much while serving in this leadership position, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world. I am very involved at church where I teach Sunday School to the 3 and 4 year olds, play the piano almost every Sunday, and work in the nursery once a week. I love serving my Savior at church and blessing others with my abilities. I have recently started discipling two younger girls while studying the book of Philippians. We have all benefitted from the encouragement and accountability that this set up has offered. Having turned 13 this summer, Jonathan is now in 8th grade. I gradually learned to accept the fact that my baby brother is no longer…well, a baby. He has grown much taller and I lived in denial for several months after he passed me up. Nevertheless, we are best friends. We often eat out together and talk, and he accompanies me when I run errands for mom. Of course, he is sure to tell me exactly how many miles above the speed limit I drive every time we go out together. In June, he spent one week in El Paso, Texas with his Christian Boy Scout Troop. He left a boy, and came back a man. Not really-- he did learn some wilderness survival skills and returned home with an appreciation for mom’s good food and a comfortable bed. J He is following in my footsteps and also participates in Youth and Government, where he loves to debate bills with other middle schoolers. He is still taking piano lessons, and is becoming quite an accomplished pianist. Watching sports on TV with dad has become a favorite activity for Jonathan. Soccer, football, tennis, and track are also some of his favorite activities. Christina (10) is in 5th grade and loving every minute of it! She is a social butterfly just like her older sister and enjoys having friends over from church often. On her 10th birthday in July, she finally received what she had been waiting for: a hamster. She named it Evangeline. Careful to feed Evangeline every day, she shows off her “baby” to all of her little girlfriends. In September, she started taking piano lessons and has progressed rapidly. Christina performed in her first recital recently, along with Jonathan and myself. She takes good care of her younger brothers and is learning how to cook and crochet with mom as the teacher. She has already completed several crochet projects for herself and for friends. Writing and Science are her favorite subjects, and she loves animals, especially dolphins.
Jeremy (7) and Jason (6) are the most adorable little brothers I could ask for. Jeremy is in 2nd grade, and Jason is in 1st grade. They love to get into mischief and blame the other one for what happened. I am relishing this stage where they proudly open the door for me or my mom everywhere we go. It is precious. Jeremy’s life altering decision to trust Christ as Lord and Savior came shortly after his 7th birthday. He loves going to church and learning about Jesus. They both recently had to get glasses, and they proudly wear them as much as possible. They LOVE to go outside and run, and all of us kids often go on long walks around the neighborhood. They watch with eager anticipation when I bake cookies, and they are standing nearby when I pull them out of the oven. Even though numbers, letters, and letter sounds do not come easily to Jason, he puts forth great effort. He has come a long way in the past two years and we are all proud of him. I honestly can’t remember what it was like before God brought them into our lives!
My mom spends most of her time homeschooling Jonathan, Christina, Jeremy, and Jason. She excels at it. She has the patience of Job and the discernment of Solomon when it comes to training kids. In addition, she teaches Children’s Church and participates in a weekly Women’s Bible Study. Occasionally, she is asked to speak to Hispanic women, and she takes advantage of every opportunity to be used by God in the lives of women who need Him. In fact, she is one of the keynote speakers for a Women’s Retreat in March. Back in July, mom directed Primary Girls Camp for the 6th time at Sandy Creek Bible Camp where over 50 young girls heard the gospel. She truly has a heart for kids who need the Lord. In addition, we have all benefitted from her love of gardening. She has harvested green beans, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots, lettuce, and green peas over the last few weeks. Yum. Bottom line: she is awesome. J
My dad still teaches 2 Spanish classes per semester at the College of Biblical Studies. He thoroughly enjoys instilling Godly, foundational principles in the lives of his students. Many of his students are pastors and teachers in churches all over Houston, so Dad is occasionally asked to preach at local Hispanic churches where his sermons always bring encouragement. He loves encouraging people with his ability to teach. His real estate business, HomeMax Properties, is steadily growing despite the slow economy. He works from home, which is a huge plus for the family. He stays busy helping people with credit issues and originating mortgage loans for home buyers. Active as an elder at First Colony Bible Chapel, he serves faithfully although he doesn’t preach as much as he used to. He spends his “free time” reading books on theology and Bible commentaries in addition to helping me with Physics. J His help is indispensable. Thank you Dad!
In July/August, my dad’s brother and his family came to the US to visit for a month. My uncle is the only one out 7 siblings still living in Uruguay, so we took advantage of every opportunity to eat, take pictures, be merry, and take more pictures. All 30 of us. It was a BLAST. We took them to Sea World San Antonio, the Natural Bridge Caverns, and the River Walk. We all became very attached to them and their precious girls. We were sad to see them leave.
I sincerely hope that each of you is rejoicing in the true reason for the season, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
-Isaiah 9:6.
Many blessings and a Happy New Year!
-The Lopez Family
