because you know you want it (hee hee)
Merry Christmas!Dear Friends and Family,
We hope this December finds you well and enjoying this Christmas season. This has been both a challenging and an exciting year for us. At the beginning of the year, Jeremy was laid off from his job. Although unexpected, it proved to be a positive thing for our family and the church. Jeremy was then able to devote himself fully to realHope, which has grown and thrived as a result.
At the end of 2009 we find ourselves having doubled in size again. We are consistently between 40 and 50. And even more importantly, realHope has grown in spirit. There is a beautiful and strong bond. It is very much a family. We have all commented that it has been through all of our mutual struggles that we have grown closer together and closer to God. This year, we celebrated eight baptisms and numerous child and baby dedications. We’ve enjoyed serving the community: providing a Spring Fling cookout and Easter egg hunt, a summer of family gathering events (including game night, ice cream night and family movie night), a 4th of July celebration, and a wonderful Trick-or-Treat Fall Bash. Three relational (or small/Bible study) groups currently meet, including our mom’s group. We were also thrilled with the addition of our volunteer staff members: Bonni as Connections director, David and Scott as Youth Leaders, and Bethany as Children’s Director.
Christie’s sister Jessica has continued to do a wonderful job as Worship Leader at realHope. Her presence in the community at Starbuck’s and at church has been such a positive and encouraging influence. She spent three months living with us this spring. Then moved into her own place around the corner from the church house, rented from the mayor of Fuquay. She also went from working bivocationally at Starbuck’s, to working as Spanish and Bible Teacher at Cape Fear Christian Academy. We continue to love having Aunt Jess so close by. We don’t know what we would do without her!
Christie has continued to serve realHope as Mom’s director. The playgroup she leads on Fridays from 10am-12pm, Café Mom, took on a new step, offering a 45-minute break period with childcare. They have enjoyed devotions, special topics, crafts and special outings. Christie loves working with fellow Moms and their families! In October she started working at Starbuck’s part-time, four nights a week. Although, this has been challenging for all of us, it has also been a great blessing. It has given Christie some time out, helped us meet ends financially, and to get to know more people in the community. (Not to mention the free coffee! J )
Luke turned five this year and started Kindergarten this fall. He has loved it – jumping right in! We couldn’t have asked for a better teacher. She is absolutely wonderful. He is learning by leaps and bounds, and loves having his independence. He had his very first school performance in November, sang and did the motions! We were so proud. Christie went with him on his very first field trip in December. We’ve also enjoyed visiting him at school during Lunch Bunch (you read to he and a group of kids during lunch). Grandma J has also begun volunteering in his class once a week (which he loves!). His favorite things right now are all things army, and computer games.
Julianne turned two this November. She has gone from walking to prissing around very quickly. As much as Luke is all boy, she is all girl! She loves to jibber-jabber. She has us all wrapped around her little finger. She began climbing out of her bed in November. So on her birthday, we converted her bed into a toddler bed. (Already!) She and Christie love their one-on-one time together. Her favorite things right now are Sesame Street and Strawberry Shortcake.
As if our plates weren’t already full! We began fostering Great Danes in September. This was a really positive experience, especially for Christie who loves animals and especially this breed. Our first foster, Stetson was adopted this week. We look forward to fostering again in the New Year.
Well, we’ve wagged your ears long enough! We look forward to catching up with you face to face. We wish you all the love this Christmas that your hearts can hold. May God bless you throughout this New Year!
Love Always,
Jeremy, Christie, Luke & Julianne Tudor
December 14, 2009
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Tim made Jeremy this super cool Book box.
having early Christmas with Papa and J and spending the night at their house, to driving down to Atlanta as soon as I got off work Tuesday night, around 10pm to my folks' house.
Yesterday with realHope was like a torrential rain on parched earth. My soul has felt so weary lately, and I'm finding myself depleted. I'm so grateful for the realHope family. It really is a family to me. I especially loved this song (I'll post it on the right for you to hear if you like):
