Christmas Card 2013

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

It seems like just a few days ago I was making last year's Christmas Cards.  The years seem to tick past us quicker and quicker as we grow older.  This year has been wrought with challenges, but we are also constantly reminded of how blessed we truly are. Here are just a few:

• Christina turned halfway to 70 and it was a pretty difficult birthday to swallow. :/
• We connected more with our church and community and have grown to love where we are planted!  Matt has some great fishing buddies and Christina feels pretty loved on.  We look forward to being able to bless those people as well.
• Matt also coached with the same group of guys that he was with last year in Bothell.  His team didn't fare as well this year, but the coaching staff is awesome and we look forward to spending a few more years hanging out with them.
• Christina took on quilting as a hobby.  If you are reading this blog, you can see most of her works here as well.We did some minor traveling--visiting family mostly. Probably one of our favorite weekends was spent at Samish Island, up in the Puget Sound, near the San Juan Islands.  It was a weekend filled with friends, good food and wonderful R&R!
• Matt was laid off in October and has been diligently looking for new work (work that would be stable, predictable and better supply for us financially). 
• Christina continues working as a therapist at the Seattle's Union Gospel Mission with women coming out of domestic violence and addiction.  If is completely rewarding and she loves it.
• Matt and Christina are beginning the process of fertility treatments.  In November, they held fundraiser events in Port Angeles and Bothell and have been overwhelmed by the financial blessings from people close to us.  Thank you for your continue prayers about that.  It can be a pretty stressful process and we will need your continued prayers. 
• Matt and Christina both did excellently in their Fantasy football leagues.  Christina took the TOP honor (after the league told her she had the worst draft?!?) and Matt came in second in his league. We have so much fun watching football and learning about all the players around the league rather than just our beloved Seahawks!

We pray that this season has been filled with blessings and lots of love and laughter and that more than anything you are reminded of why we celebrate Christmas--the gracious birth of Jesus!

Love,
Matt and Christina Konrad (and Saben)