Merry Christmas from the Gonzales Gang!

Hello family and friends...Merry Christmas!  

I miss writing...I keep intending to get back to blogging, but it seems that I'm still trying to figure out how to manage more time for writing...I think there's a lesson about priorities in here somewhere :)

Anyhoo...I never got around to Christmas cards (again!) this year.  I used to really love making and mailing my cards...again...life, time, school...sometimes, something's gotta give.  So, for your reading pleasure, here's the Gonzales 2016 Year in Review.

A big bit of news is that Steve is in the process of changing jobs.  The truth of the matter is that funding for research is HARD & DIFFICULT to come by and his job at UTSouthwestern Medical Center has been hugely affected by lack of funds for research.  Everyone wants good meds, nobody wants to pay for research.  His field has never really recovered from the recession and it was time to make a change.  So, he's in the process of becoming certified to teach and will begin teaching with our local school district in January.  Change can be hard, but it can also be rewarding.  We are thankful for new opportunities for Steve...he's really looking forward to a new direction...and lack of commute to Dallas! 

Our girls are doing great.  We continue to home school and are so thankful for the opportunity to be so involved with our girls' education.  I don't take it for granted.  All of them still enjoy archery and it looks like we're becoming Theater Parents as well :)

From Alice in Wonderland~

Bella continues to enjoy her artistic pursuits and is doing really well with school.  She's an 8th grader at our co-op, yet began some high school level stuff here at home, so we get to gently start the high school craziness here in our school.  I'm pretty much a "school manager" for her at this point...we have good conversations and discussions about her subjects and I go over her work, but she's quite independent at this point and is rockin' it.  Also, her braces came off this year and she just keeps growing!  A huge, grace overflowing big deal is that she was recently baptized...publicly professing her faith in Jesus as her Savior was a highlight for sure!  We're so thankful!  

Baptism in November~

Pencil draft horse~

Sophia began middle school this year and is really working hard...I'm so proud of her!  She continues to enjoy writing poetry and won for her age at our local Frisco poetry contest (for the 3rd time!).  She is especially loving that she's old enough to participate in our church's youth group now!  Wait...what?!  Seriously girls, quit growing!  She enjoyed singing in a children's choir and with Steve at our church's talent show this summer.  And she's becoming quite the baker...she loves being in the kitchen and blessing folks with her creations.    

Poetry winner~

Singing with Steve~

Gracia is 5, full of energy, has an entertaining imagination, and is usually pretending to be some kind of animal...to say that she keeps me on my toes would be an understatement :)  And she is absolutely fearless.  Our girls have taken up rock climbing at a local indoor rock gym...Gracia scampers to the top like nobody's business!  And she's small for her age, so it's funny to watch the reaction of folks as they watch the tiny girl conquer the wall :)    

Stylin~

Monkey~

Our family enjoyed a trip to CO this past summer.  It has been 10 years since we moved away from CO, so returning to a place we love so much was a HUGE blessing.  Our sweet friends opened their home to us...what a gift!  We thoroughly enjoyed being in the Rocky Mountains, visiting Boulder and Estes Park, and sharing our favorite places with our girls.  And we were thrilled to be able to see and spend time with friends!  We won't let 10 years go by again!

Rock Cut, Rocky Mountain National Park

Dearest friends~

A reunion of our Sunday School class from our church in CO!

Rock Cut~

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park~

We enjoyed some visits from a variety of friends as well...some just passing through and some stopping to stay a while.  We love seeing friends and having visitors...hint, hint!

High school friends spent the day with us on their way home from a trip around the US.

A friend from PA who we get to see every year when he's in town for a conference! 

Another friend from PA who was passing through and came to church!

A friend from CO who came for several days!

Liz helped me celebrate my 45th birthday!

We are always thankful to celebrate with family too!  

My brother's birthday!

Oma and Opa!

We continued our tradition of going to NM for Thanksgiving.  We always have fun and the special treat this year was to meet Brandon's love, Kara.  And check out the roadrunner Uncle John carved for me...thankful for family ;)

I'm doing well too.  Many of you know that I've been experiencing a medical mystery since mid September when my left leg began going numb.  The quick story is that it's still numb (yes, the entire leg from the very top down to my toes), but thankfully I still have full use of my leg.  I've undergone a CT scan, 4 MRI's, a nerve study, and countless blood tests.  Last month a spinal tap revealed a high level of inflammation in my spinal fluid.  I've seen 8 doctors and specialists and still do not have a diagnosis...but there are lots of diseases we've ruled out...including MS, Lupus, Sjogren's, Syphilis, Tuberculosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, two different cancers that can cause inflammation in the CSF, Sarcoidosis, and some others.  I see one more specialist in January...really hoping for some answers.  I've had moments of pure fear and panic, but by the GRACE OF GOD they have not lasted.  I'm not despairing and God is close.  I'm very thankful for the care of friends and family who pray for me and check in on me...God is indeed a very present help in times of trouble.  I may have to write some more about His care and kindness during this trial...writing has always helped me process things and events.

So, that's our update.  My plans for the weekend are to finally make some toffee and enjoy the process of getting the last details in order as we prepare for the arrival of my brother and my parents for Christmas.  

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  Romans 15:13  

This is our prayer for you...we love you and pray you have a beautiful Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Blessings~
Rachel