Getting Reacquainted With Dad
The fun began in February, when Don and I, concerned about our Dad’s deteriorating living situation in Alabama, decided to visit Birmingham for a week. While we were there, our eyes were opened to how miserable and desperate his life had become.
He agreed to return to Washington with us, but Faye refused. The next four months the battle really heated up. Faye filed a lawsuit in court, alleging that I and my siblings had “kidnapped” Dad against his will. Dad countersued for divorce. In May I had to travel back to Alabama for a week to defend myself in court.
The case was settled and the divorce finalized, we sold my dad's house, and my brother Lee, along with Mandy and Alex, convened there in August with two moving trucks in an attempt to salvage as much of Dad’s possessions as possible. Mandy and Alex drove one truck with them as they moved to Bedford, Pennsylvania, and Lee and his friend Patrick drove the other (plus Dad’s car) out here. So we got to enjoy a brief visit with them.
In early September, Dad also moved from our house (where he had been our guest for seven months) to an adult family home in the area. It is a very nice place and he is enjoying the company of a small handful of residents there. He is in a fairly advanced state of confusion due to his Alzheimer’s, but otherwise is in relatively good health. Although it is a struggle to understand how to help him, we have enjoyed reconnecting with him this year.
We enjoyed a visit from my youngest sister, Kay, in April, and she and her husband Tom returned in August to look for a home in the Bellingham area. They are planning a move from upstate New York, possibly in February. Dad also enjoyed a visit to Sandy and Dave's home in Southern California in May.
Trips to Oregon …


And Idaho …
During the summer my Dad and I also undertook a road trip to Nampa, Idaho, to spend the day with his sister Joyce and do a little camping on the Snake River.
Don’t forget Pennsylvania!


And finally, Southern California
Larry’s team at work spent three days at a Web conference in Monterey, California, so it was a good excuse for Darlene to fly with me and we left Seattle a few days early, rented a minivan in San Jose, and drove down to Southern California for a delightful two days with her parents and other family members in the mountains above Los Angeles, before returning to the Bay area for the conference.
For Elim, It’s all About the Congo

2007 Ride4US
Larry’s other big bike ride of the year was the 2007 “Ride4US” around the Puget Sound, designed to raise funds to purchase ultrasound machines for Pierce County Crisis Pregnancy Centers. The 60-mile hilly ride was more grueling, mile per mile, than the STP, but somehow I made it to the end!
Darlene Busier Than Ever With the Children’s Emergency Fund
Most of you probably don’t know that Darlene manages a nonprofit organization, associated with the Puyallup School District, called Children’s Emergency Fund. The Fund provides emergency help with food, shelter, clothing and medical care for children of local low-income families. That keeps her almost as busy as her three day-per-week school nursing job at three area schools.
In other Darlene news, she is recuperating at home after breaking her arm in a fall during our annual Christmas Tree hunting adventure on Mt. Rainier. We’re seeing an orthopedist next week for treatment options. In the meantime she’s resting comfortably here.
And Larry Promoted to “Web Guru” at World Vision

Darlene Goes Green

Felicity Joins the Family

A Visit From Our Hero, Aunt Dorothy
Dorothy Kalloch is my mom’s eldest sister, at 80. She left for a life of missionary work in Niger, at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, the month before Larry was born. She finally retired last month, after more than 50 years of work with Serving in Mission (SIM) as an R.N. and a translator. She spent a week with us in November, and we had a wonderful time catching up with her. Right now Dorothy is in Southern California, considering where her next assignment will take her.
Taking a Deep Breath …
Can you believe we packed all that into a single year? No wonder we’re tired!
Well, not really tired … but definitely glad it’s Christmas! What a wonderful time to stop and reflect how drastically different our lives would be if it weren’t for the Manger … and the Cross.
We pray that you and your families will take some time this year to reflect on God’s blessings, and enjoy His presence, in preparation for the year ahead – whatever 2008 will bring. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
2 comments:
Larry, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your paperless Christmas letter and blogs. The bike trip up the St. Angeles mountains was good/scary (especially your picture from the accident!) but neat to read how God intervened. Sorry to hear about the identity theft attempt on your dad, but it sounds like you're making progress. You and Darlene are very special to us. I've so enjoyed getting to know Darlene and being able to spend time with her. And, your writings are so interesting! Thank you for sending a copy to us. We wish you, Darlene, and the rest of your family God's richest blessings in the year to come. With love, MaryAnn & Brian
Hi Larry and Darlene,
Good to hear from you. It was good to see you in September! We also bought a Prius this year as you can drive a Prius in the car pool lane with one person in AZ.
Now all we need is the Hot tub.
Have a Great Christmas and New Year.
Kim and Mairi
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