Our celebrations of the New Year here were very laidback and limited. The kids watched Peanuts' New Year and Rudolph's New Year, and then went to bed at 9pm. We then proceeded to stay awake until all of 10:30. Didn't even try to stay up. It always makes me cry, thinking of the things lost during the year, of the people we said goodbye to, the hopes that weren't achieved, and this year, I was sad that I could not celebrate the New Year with our friends and neighbors in good ole Nussloch. They bring out the fireworks and really let it fly. They fill up the valley with shouting, singing, laughing and the rumbling of rockets flying thru the night air. What a great way to start the new year.

Here in America, you have to go to a big city to see something like that, instead of being in the comfort of your own home. But at any rate, we are thankful that we are here in America and looking back over the year, it was rough and irritating in so many ways, but we are still blessed further than we'd hoped, and have nothing lacking. We hope you all find this year filled with hope and see the countless way which God provides for all of us. Happy New Year!