Christmas Letter 2007

Christmas Season Greetings!

The past three years have involved more change than we’d expected. I spent the majority of 2005 pursuing a career change in order to provide better for our growing family and have a schedule more conducive to family life. For the next year and a half, I sat for 16 interviews with 6 different companies. Every time we thought the path was clear, another door closed. We learned some really tough lessons during those two years and I’m glad they’re behind us, and through that Debi and I grew much closer together and to God. At the very end of 2006, I left my career in television for one in sales with Staples Contract Division in Knoxville, TN. I work from home as an outside sales rep for the commercial accounts division of Staples in the Tri-Cities. The job has been very good to us providing career success that I’d long pursued, and allowing Debi to stay home with our family. Debi has been the anchor in our house raising two girls, keeping my feet on the ground, and contributing to our church’s children’s ministry.

The biggest event of 2007 was the birth of our second daughter, Julia Renee, on August 8. We didn’t know if she’d be a boy or girl until her arrival. Even though her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck four times, she was delivered with no problems thanks to a planned operation. We praise her Creator for also being her Protector. Julia loves to smile and laugh and is working on rolling over. We all love having her complete our family and Alyssa really likes being a big sister.

Alyssa turned 3 in April and played her first season of soccer this year. Her hobbies are books, puzzles, and riding her bike outside. She also enjoys helping with yard work and housework, and we have transferred to her power of attorney over Ally the dog and Ringo the cat.

Recently while Christmas shopping, we saw a decorative yard sign for sale that in beautiful script read “Winter Wishes.” Instead of an empty message like that, we have embraced one that reminds us that “Truly He taught us to love one another. His law is love. His gospel is peace.” We’re most thankful this season that our chains are broken, the slave is our brother, and that He was born that man no more may die.

Happy Christmas from The Radfords!