Merry Christmas!

Trying something a little different this year - it's amazing how much work and time it took to print, fold, and stuff letters, so now I've gone digital. Hope you don't mind. But really, if you mind, you probably didn't come here to read what I'm typing. So on with the letter

This has been a good year for us. Zoe continues to grow up so fast, though it looks like she'll have her mommy's height (or lack thereof). She's so very articulate - yes, I just used that big word to describe how well a 3-year old speaks. At her preschool, they did a review of her development. It asked if she used 2-3 word phrases/sentences. Zoe talks in paragraphs - multiple 7-10 word sentences that are coherent together. She's amazing. And more than that, she makes me laugh.

Rachel is also growing up. She has developed an affinity for performance - just this month she's had a main part in two different productions. She was one of the main characters in her school performance (Christmas at the OK Corral) and was in a duet at church in the Christmas program. She's also smart as a whip, making the "All Es" honor roll at school. Fortunately for her, the handwriting grade doesn't count. Let's just say that her handwriting is less than perfect.

The year has also been good for me. I had my colostomy takedown in March (read here: all my internal plumbing is now reconnected and functioning normally). During the recovery from that surgery, I also managed to get an inflamed gall bladder, which was then removed. My plan is to be out of the surgery mode for a while now. Not that I'm ungrateful...

Our big family event this year was a week at the beach during the summer. My sister (with her 2 kids) and I (with my 2 kids) rented a beach house in NC and spent the week. It was great! There are some pics on my Facebook page, which you can find from the link on the right.

We are well adjusted to life without Michell. It hardly seems like it could be two years since her death, but God continues to bless us in amazing ways. Zoe has slowly begun to realize who her mommy is (from pictures), and frequently mentions "my mommy in her white dress," referring to Michell in her bridal portrait. Rachel still has times when she mentions missing her mommy, especially during the Christmas season, but these are minor moments only, and are becoming rare. We have a fairly regular household schedule, and while I don't try to pretend to be a mommy, I have gotten a reasonable handle on all the "typical mom" things that are now my responsibility. I do pray that God will bless me with another opportunity to love and marry, but trust in His plan and His timing.

So, that's our brief update. We hope this letter finds you and yours deep in God's blessings, and that you have a safe, joyful Christmas!

Steven, Rachel, and Zoe Click

Be Thankful for "Lifers"

Been reconnecting with some my lifers lately - I am so thankful for them! What's a "lifer"? That's what I call a friend that remains true throughout your life. One of those handfull of friends with whom time and distance never matter, you can always pick right back up with never a snag. You know, the ones you can call at 2 in the morning and not have to apologize when you start the conversation.

So, why have I been reconnecting? Because my lifers are a great source of Godly counsel. They help me figure things out when I can't solve it on my own. The past few days have been especially cool, because God has used several of them in shifts, each one's advice and info adding to the prior to give me a fuller picture than any one could individually. How cool is that!

What a treasure my lifers are! They know many of my hidden faults and fears, but can look past them and still accept and care about me. They never force their ideas or advice on me, but their insight never ceases to amaze me - an amazing blend of their God-inspired wisdom and their understanding of who I reall am that frequently cuts to the heart of the matter.

Just in the past few days, I have reconnected with three of my lifers, including my longest-term lifer and the wife of my newest-term lifer couple (it's early in the relationship, but I'm pretty sure they're going to be lifers). The interactions have made me realize just how awesome these friends are to me, and how thankful I am that they are part of my life.

So, what about you? Do you have some lifers? If so, take a minute to be thankful and to realize just what a blessing you have.