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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spriggy on November 20, 2005, at 18:07:03
Does anyone else send out those looong, drawn out family newsletter's that most people just toss in the garbage can?
OR am I the only one who likes to pretend that people really care what we did all year? ROFL
If you write one- I think it would be fun to post them ( you can bleep out your name, just use the $@##$@#@& symbols, ROFL).
Posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2005, at 21:08:53
In reply to working on my Christmas newsletter (already), posted by spriggy on November 20, 2005, at 18:07:03
I don't nobody cares. Only people I talk to are family and casual aquaintances. No Christmas cards either. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 0:32:45
In reply to working on my Christmas newsletter (already), posted by spriggy on November 20, 2005, at 18:07:03
I love to get them, especially if they have pix of kids in them. :)
I used to send out lots of cards (and newsletters once or twice) but I have been so depressed the past two yrs that I haven't. It is like I can't bear to pretend to be perky and okay when things feel so awful, you know? And certainly, sending a letter with what is really going on wouldn't be very appropriate. Could you imagine?
"Dear friends and family, In January of this year I started on desipramine because my meds weren't doing enough for me. That seemed like it was working for a while and for the most part I could tolerate the dry mouth and nausea. But then that wasn't really enough, so we added a stimulant. That seemed to work for a while until I was strongly reprimanded for not doing enough work (of course due to the depression) and treated very poorly by my supervisors. I became more and more hopeless. Nothing was working so we tried lithium. That sorta worked, but I still feel pretty rotten. I go through lots of tissues. I'm dating a man that doesn't love me (and I suppose I don't love him either). How I wish that I could find a husband and have some kids, but I suspect I will be lonely for many years to come. That was my year. Hope yours was better."
Oh dear, did I just type all that? I'm having a teary and lonely night. Guess I just needed to dump on someone. Your poor Christmas letter post was my victim!
In conclusion, I'm sure that many folks (like me) enjoy your newsletter. If you post it, I'll absolutely read it!
Best,
EE
Posted by caraher on November 21, 2005, at 9:29:34
In reply to Re: working on my Christmas newsletter (already), posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 0:32:45
I've always wanted to write one in which fact and fantasy are hopelessly blurred... ;)
Posted by Gee on November 21, 2005, at 9:32:57
In reply to Re: working on my Christmas newsletter (already), posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 0:32:45
Emily Elizabeth, I loved your christmas letter. It was so real.
So many christmas letters that we get, seem to be so superficial and surface. Like "the kids are in grades blah and blan, and they love their teachers.... the highlight of our year was a trip to Mexico last January. We had an amazing time, but got a little sunburnt... " You know?
My mom mainly does the christmas letter for her aunts and uncles because she knows it means a lot to them
Posted by spriggy on November 21, 2005, at 13:15:42
In reply to Re: working on my Christmas newsletter (already), posted by Gee on November 21, 2005, at 9:32:57
and Emily E- I can relate- this one was the hardest one I've ever had to write because it's been the hardest year I've ever had to face. I tried to make it real but hopeful.
Hopefully it worked:
Merry Christmas
Woe and Wow! For us, 2005 can be summed up with those two words.
I find it hard to know where to begin our yearly family update; this year has brought about more changes, pain, growth, trials, and victories than ever before.
The Lord has given me a verse to sum up what we’ve gone through and it is; “I have refined you through the furnace of suffering.” Isaiah 48:10
I personally have battled off and on all year with my health; diagnosed with a disease that has left me in pain and physically fatigued. I have learned that even with a “thorn in my flesh”, God’s grace is sufficient.
Josh endured quite a battle that is too much to place into words but after nearly 5 years pastoring at his home church, we had to leave (with much tears) and seek God for many month’s on the direction He desired. After God brought much needed healing and salve to our wounds’, He directed us to plant/build a new church. Late September, Josh officially became the senior pastor of “Cornerstone Community Church.”
We have been amazed and surprised at the growth we’ve seen in such a short time; both in numbers and spiritually in the hearts’ of the people God has called to this church. We had no strategy for “church growth” and no “formula”- we simply stepped out in faith and trusted God to do the work. He was faithful all the way and has been able to receive all the glory!
In the midst of this, we celebrated our 7th anniversary (and still no itch!). I have decided that with every passing year, I love this man more and more. He is my best friend and my number one hero.
Our every day lives’ never stopped so we did our best to keep our boys’ thriving in the midst of all the changes. Jacob (now 6 yrs), entered kindergarten and loves it. He has adjusted so well and is learning new things each day. He has fully “mastered” his many impersonations; Napoleon Dynamite and Yoda being the most “requested.”
Austin ( 10 and a half yrs) continues to be a blessing and an example to us of how powerful prayers are; he is talking in sentences and for the first time ever was able to complete the entire pledge of allegiance. He loves saying his prayers at night and making his brother (and parent’s!) giggle. He is still in treatment for autism but we are excited for the growth we have seen in him.
I wish I could share all the things God has brought us through this year- for we have come to know the Lord in new ways and experienced His love at new levels… not because all things were “well” but because through all the pain, tears, and testing, He held our hands and walked us through (Isaiah 43:1-3).
I think more than ever we will celebrate this Christmas with a new realization of how grateful we are that He came to this earth to be our Savior, our Friend, our Redeemer, and our Comforter. Without the hope of Him, I doubt we could’ve survived 2005. But because of Him, we are filled with hope and the promise that His love endures forever!
I pray that you will desire to know Him afresh and anew as 2006 rolls in. That this “Jesus” will not just be a baby born centuries ago, but a Savior alive and well in your hearts and lives each & every day.
We love you all and thank you for your prayers, friendship, and love! You are a blessing.
Josh, Sasha, Austin, and Jacob
Posted by 10derHeart on November 21, 2005, at 17:40:26
In reply to okay, here's mine, posted by spriggy on November 21, 2005, at 13:15:42
Very real and wonderfully hopeful.
Now THAT'S the kind of "news" in a letter I'd love to read. How cool of you to share!
God Bless you and your family, spriggy....your light is SO not under a basket and is shining steadily here at Babble ;-)
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2005, at 20:07:31
In reply to Re: working on my Christmas newsletter (already), posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 0:32:45
EE you had me laughing so hard my husband came in and read your post too. That is the funniest thing I have read in a long time. No I don't think people would like that letter. I'm sorry you don't feel well, but you sure perked up my day! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2005, at 20:13:56
In reply to okay, here's mine, posted by spriggy on November 21, 2005, at 13:15:42
Spriggy that was so beautiful and inspirational. Throughout all you've endured you are a very precious person to me. And your Faith so strong. May God Bless you and your family. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 23:32:07
In reply to okay, here's mine, posted by spriggy on November 21, 2005, at 13:15:42
Thanks for sharing. Very nice. I admire how you can appreciate the good times in your year even in light of the bad times.
But, I do think you should consider legally changing your name to Spriggy. It suits you so well! BTW, do you mind sharing how you came up with that as a posting name?
Best,
EE
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 23:34:16
In reply to Re: working on my Christmas newsletter (already) » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2005, at 20:07:31
Glad to hear it. Sometimes you just have to laugh at your life, you know?
Best,
EE
Posted by spriggy on November 22, 2005, at 1:40:16
In reply to Re: working on my Christmas newsletter (already) » Phillipa, posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 23:34:16
Waay back I joined a forum for pastor's wives; I took my the first letter of my first name *S* and then added the first few of my last name PRIG (so SPRIG)- pretty soon, everyone was referring to me as "spriggy."
And there ya go! :)
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 22, 2005, at 11:20:09
In reply to Spriggy is derived from.... » Emily Elizabeth, posted by spriggy on November 22, 2005, at 1:40:16
Posted by AuntieMel on November 23, 2005, at 14:07:01
In reply to Re: working on my Christmas newsletter (already), posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 0:32:45
My, it's been a busy year.
In January, *&*(& was arrested for possesion with intent to sell. What a pain! Even though her roommie and rommie's boyfriend claimed the stuff, her room was clean and her UA was negative it still took several months (and a lot of money) to get it cleared up.
But it all worked out - at least she didn't get kicked out of college. They only sentenced her to about 100 hours of community service. I know it's lots of time, but it'll be good for her.
Well, then after that my bird died. Yes, folks, *that* bird - the one that hated everyone. Still, she'd been around for 23 years and I was getting used to her.
In August I got to go on a trip to England! What fun! Granted it was because a dear friend over there has advanced cancer, but still it was nice to have an excuse to go over.
I haven't been able to be around babble much, because things have caught up and the folks at work have noticed my productivity has dropped. It's been down for a couple of years, so I guess I'm lucky they're just now noticing. I'm going to have to spend the next month busting my tush or it's the unemployment line for me!
........................................
and so on. Blah!
May '06 be better!
Posted by Dinah on November 28, 2005, at 9:51:57
In reply to Re: I thought of doing one, too » Emily Elizabeth, posted by AuntieMel on November 23, 2005, at 14:07:01
rofl.
I think we should do one this year as well. It should be an entertaining one. I could complete it with some pictures!
This is the end of the thread.
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