Christmas Letter 2007

Merry Christmas To All! 

We are running behind this year!  We have been in the throes of a true “Winter Wonderland”.   Many inches of snow over a couple of weeks topped with a hearty layer of ice this past week!  The boys have been thrilled to finally be able to use their snow-brick maker to build a fort.  Marvin and I have found new appreciation for electrical power - specifically HAVING it.  :)  I have yet to wrap a single present or bake a single cookie, but we have indulged in couch snuggling, old Christmas movie viewing and lots of Christmas carol singing - enjoying ourselves immensely and hoping that the preparations will wait on us this year.

We spent 2 weeks in August camping and thoroughly enjoying the Missouri State Fair.  For our family, the fair just gets better and better.  We camp the entire time allowing us to leisurely enjoy all the fair has to offer.  Of course, we always enjoy our old favorites - the draft horse hitches, Professor Farquar, seeing Joe and Linda Potter dance with the MO Town Band and meeting up with friends and family at the fair.  This year, however, Marvin learned an important lesson - duck when they ask for “volunteers” from the audience.  At one venue, Marvin found himself the “star of the show” wearing a cow skirt and ringing a cow bell on stage.  :)  And, as his loving wife, I videotaped it all!  :)  You can see the clip on our Family Pictures and Video site.  (address at end of letter)

We have enjoyed several opportunities to visit with family and friends this year.  The annual Magruder Reunion was held in Hannibal, MO.  Many of us camped together at Mark Twain Cave campground, allowing us easy access to take in the one man show “Mark Twain Live” and to escape the (excessive!) heat by exploring Mark Twain Cave.  Jackson made fast friends with Robert Shoemyer who coached him in the fine art of card and magic tricks.  Jackson came home determined to duplicate what he had learned from the master!

We made our annual trek to Table Rock Lake/Silver Dollar City twice this past year - in May for World Fest and again in late September for the American Cowboy Festival.  Both times we camped side by side with Mom and Dad - and Uncle Charles and Aunt Ilene were with us in Sept.  What a privilege and an honor!  These gifts of time with family are so precious to us.  I often remind the boys to take a good look at their Grandpa and their Great Uncles Charles and Mitch.... that someday that will be them.  The gift of memories of these special family times will continue to bring all of us great joy for a lifetime.  I am grateful for the legacy of close family ties.

James and Hannah both graduated from high school this past May.  Hannah has joined big sister Rachel at the University of Oklahoma and James just completed Marine boot camp in San Diego.  All will be home for Christmas and we cannot wait to see them!  Following Jennifer’s graduation from Truman last December, she spent Jan. - May working in Jeff City for the MO Dept. of Higher Ed, spending much time at the Capitol.  She learned a tremendous amount in a short time and is now happily employed at MU in the International Center - a very good fit for her.    

Marvin is still training horses and will be expanding in 2008 to offer a special series of classes for novice horse lovers called “The Horse Experience”.  He hopes to teach and encourage students regarding general horse care, grooming, and basic horse handling.  Our boys continue to love the farm and riding horses more than just about anything else.  :)  They are both becoming fine horsemen, following in their father’s footsteps.  Jonathan, 8,  also enjoys school, video games and being outside - no matter the weather!   Jackson, 11,  continues to love Tae Kwon Do, recently testing for and receiving his Blue Stripe belt.  We are blessed to have such experienced and dedicated TKD teachers here locally.

I entered the world of “blogging” this past summer and find it to be a marvelous way to chronicle our family events and activities - to serve as a memento for us.  I have always wanted to journal for the boys to keep track of all the wonderful “small things” that happen each year, but have never been very successful.  This method of journalling online (blogging) has turned out to be much more conducive to my “visual” nature.  If you would like to drop by our blogs, I have the web addresses posted at the end of this letter.  If you do drop by, please leave a comment or two.  We bloggers LOVE comments!  :)  This year I have also taken a new-found hobby and turned it into the makings of a business.  I am baking bread with freshly milled whole grains and other natural ingredients.  I have to say we have all enjoyed this new venture and our taste buds are truly converted to the flavor of the fresh ground flour.  

      One of our saddest moments came just a few weeks ago when we had to put down our beloved border collie, Pete.  We still aren’t sure exactly what happened, but we awoke one morning to discover that he was paralyzed.  It has been a difficult adjustment for Marvin especially.  Pete was truly Marvin’s partner on the farm.  We all miss him greatly.  

2007 has been a good year.  However, it has been a year of stretching, refocusing and renewal.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the many gifts and blessings we have received.  The gifts of friendship, laughter and time together.... the blessings of family and health.  We have also felt the weight of so many prayer needs around us - it has seemed to be a year of tumult for so many who are dear to us.  Yet, I am reminded of one of my favorite songs, “Seasons” by Nicole Nordeman... “Still I notice You when change begins and I am braced for colder winds; I will offer thanks for what has been and what’s to come”. 

In this season of Advent, as we wait and prepare for the coming Christ, I am struck by the awesome gift that we are given.... a God who waits on us.  He waits on us when we stumble and regroup... He waits for us at our journey’s end.   May we be newly purposed to be a gift and a blessing to others - may we savor the journey toward the One who blesses us with His most precious gift - His Son.  And may you have much joy and peace this holiday season.

With all our love, 

Merry Christmas!

Marvin, Laura, Jackson and Jonathan Mann

“Love one another, deeply, from the heart.”  1 Peter 16:5-6