“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47
Merry Christmas! It is with the words above that a humble, young woman accepted her role as God’s servant, and rejoiced that God would use her for such a task as carrying His son, thereby fulfilling centuries of prophesy. What an amazing testament to God keeping His promises in the least likely of ways! He does tend to do that, though, and we are privileged to witness that daily as He uses each of us to further His kingdom, in whatever way and by whatever means it may be.
This Christmas will be Landon and my first, as a married couple. As we look back on this year, it has been an extremely busy and slightly chaotic one, to put it simply, but a truly wonderful and fulfilling one as well. Landon and I are currently living in Lincoln, NE. We have been here for a year and a half now. It is funny how God works- neither of us were planning on, or even really wanting to, stay in Nebraska. But through a series of circumstances and events that only could have happened at the hand of a God who always knows what is best, here we are, and happy to be, even if we have to put up with the local cult, also known as the Huskers.
Landon graduated from Concordia University in Seward, NE in May and has continued his education at the University of Nebraska. He is working on his doctorate in the field of virology, the study of viruses. He is taking classes and then also conducts quite a lot of his own research, as well as aiding and learning with his co-workers. It has been a joy and an experience to get to know the various people is his lab. They are from all over the world! China, Zambia, Ireland, Brazil, and India are just a few places that are covered by this eclectic group. He enjoys his work and the challenges it brings. He is looking to graduate in 5 years. After that- who knows!
I am in my second year of teaching at Lincoln Lutheran Middle and High School. I teach 7th and 8thh grade Social Studies, as well as head up the Drama and Speech Departments for both the Middle and High School kids. In November, I put on my first musical as “the one in charge.” The kids performed “Guys and Dolls,” and hit it out of the park. I was so proud of them. I enjoy teaching the Middle School kids, however, and plan on taking my 8th graders to Kansas City this spring to visit the Liberty Memorial and WWI Museum. I am pumped! I am looking into grad school myself, and am planning on starting my Masters in education administration. Whew! Here goes nothing!
In spite of the host of activities in which Landon and I have been involved, the highlight of the 2010 year, hands down, was our wedding celebration on May 29. It was down in Austin, TX, and it was about 100 degrees that weekend, but it was the most perfect day. We began our life as one surrounded by those we love. Our honeymoon followed a month later, taking us down to an all-inclusive resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It was paradise- except for the nude island. We discovered this very accepted, Jamaican reality 10 minutes upon arrival. It made for some humorous conversation starters!
Finally, Landon and I have two furry additions to our new family- our psychotic cat, Finch, and his arch rival, our puppy Scout. Scout is half rat terrier and half Scottie. She is a bundle of energy and great birth control. These two conclude our first Christmas letter together. We feel so very blessed by our Lord and Savior, whose birth we celebrate with you. May He continue to bless you and your family this Christmas, and always.
Love,Landon and Mariel
