Merry Christmas!

Christmas is full of treasured traditions, one of my favorite being the first release of holiday sounds when you commence the Christmas music just after Thanksgiving (or in my case, maybe a few days before).  This year, I decided to “get in the Christmas spirit” early, and turned up classic Christmas tunes while unpacking decorations in our very small, but cozy apartment.  After about five minutes of decorating (that’s all it took in our tiny space), I sat down to enjoy the glittering lights on our miniature Christmas tree as Eddy Arnold’s 1961 version of “C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S Spells Christmas” soared through my laptop speakers.  I just love the lyrics to that old song, spelling out the true meaning of Christmas through a retelling of the story of Jesus coming to redeem our world.  I found myself filled with thankfulness as I reflected on that song.

God has proved His goodness and faithfulness time and time again this year to Brandon and I.  Throughout each of our accomplishments, experiences and challenges, He has been so steadfast in His love for us.  I want to share a few highlights of 2011, by spelling out C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S, Wentzel style.

C is for coaching: Brandon is in his 5^th year of coaching at LaVenture Middle School.  This year, he coached cross country and volleyball, with his girls’ volleyball team winning their first (and only) game during their final week playing. Talk about end of the season redemption.  I have also found myself coaching this year, but certainly not for sports (that’d be the day).  I am job coaching here in Bellingham.  I started working with a supported employment agency called Advancement Northwest in September, and I have been challenged and blessed by working with adults with disabilities—helping them discover their career passions and motivating them towards success.

H is for the hot, hot, hot weather that most of us enjoyed during our much- anticipated family vacation in July to Mexico.   The whole Wentzel family spent nearly two weeks in Cabo San Lucas playing in the sunshine, reading by the pool and enjoying endless rounds of delicious pico de gallo. There was even a celebrity spotting at the Cabo Marina when we saw Dr. Phil (yes, he really is as tall as he looks on television).  It was an incredible opportunity to bond as a family and a rewarding escape after a busy school year. Brandon and I were able to take off for a few days on our own to celebrate our first wedding anniversary at a gorgeous Bed and Breakfast in Todos Santos. 

R is for rollerblades.  Who wouldn’t want to resurrect an awesome form of exercise that seems to have been abandoned since the mid-90’s? Brandon and I had fun picking out rollerblades-ahem- inline skates this summer and using them to ride along the waterfront and through the side streets of Ocean Shores. We have yet to use them this winter, but we keep talking about pulling them out of the closet before snow hits the ground.

I is for the insight and wisdom we have gleaned from the awesome small group we are a part of through our church.  Getting plugged in to a small group has definitely been a highlight of 2011.  We love sharing dinners and stories with our new-found friends and mentors each time we meet.  Brandon and I are the youngest in the group by 20 years or so, so we have definitely benefitted from the life experiences of those in our group.  And they have told us more than once how nice it’s been to add a little “young blood” to the mix.  We are thankful for these new relationships and the opportunity to “spur one another on towards love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24).

S is for a last-minute San Francisco adventure I took with my dear friend, Joelle.  Joelle and I were in the same Master’s program cohort and, after two years of grueling work, we felt we deserved an exciting reward.  So, we flew to San Francisco and walked the city by foot (and the occasional bus), eating mouthwatering gnocchi in Little Italy and sampling chocolates in Ghirardelli Square. We also took the BART over to Berkeley, where we visited our old friend, Lindsey.  It was a trip for the ages!

T is for my stellar Teacher-of-a-husband, Brandon.  This year, he feels honored and thrilled to teach a new class called A.V.I.D. (Advancement via Individual Determination). A.V.I.D. is a program designed to give the necessary support to students, particularly those in the academic middle, so that they can attend college and achieve their fullest potential.  Brandon serves at a low income school, and many of his A.V.I.D. students hope to be the first in their family history to attend college.  He loves the relational aspect of teaching A.V.I.D.  It’s a breath of fresh air after years of teaching his less relational P.E. classes (despite valiant efforts, there is only so much conversation that can be held during the pickle ball unit).

MA is for not one, but two Master’s Degrees completed! Brandon and I spent our entire first year of marriage glued to our laptops at the kitchen table, studying for finals and working on thesis papers.  This past summer, we were overjoyed to kiss the books goodbye and welcome a much-needed season of scholastic freedom.  I graduated with a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship from Northwest University in June, and Brandon finished his Master’s in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga in August.  We have already seen the positive ways that our degrees have benefitted our work experiences, and we are excited to see how God uses our new knowledge to further His Kingdom!

S is for our two new almost- siblings, Jaclyn and Todd.  Both my sister, Heidi, and brother, Christian, were engaged (only two weeks apart) in November.  Heidi and Todd are on the fast-track, getting married this February, and Christian and Jaclyn will be married in September 2012.  We are thrilled to add two more siblings to the wild, crazy and continually growing Harkson family. What a blessing!

And that’s how Brandon and I spell C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S this year.  We are brimming with thankfulness for each new opportunity and friendship God blessed us with in 2011, and eagerly waiting with expectation what the Lord will do in 2012. 

Merry Christmas!  May you be blessed this season and continue to have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep the love of Christ is for you! (Ephesians 3:18).

Love,


Abbie and Brandon