May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
2023 – What a Strange Year
Our plans to be in California for Christmas 2022 had to be changed, so we postponed our visit until Easter weekend. More on that later.
In January, Faith Lutheran had a goodbye pot luck for us. John’s last day as their interim pastor was Christmas morning, which wasn’t the best day to schedule a party. (By the way, their new pastor started July 1!)
We flew to California on Good Friday and had our first ever “Chreaster” or “Eastmas,” if you prefer. All the presents that had been bought and wrapped and ready since December were opened on Easter afternoon after church. Not sure if it will ever become a tradition, but we had a great weekend in the Airbnb we rented.
so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
2023 – What a Strange Year
Our plans to be in California for Christmas 2022 had to be changed, so we postponed our visit until Easter weekend. More on that later.
In January, Faith Lutheran had a goodbye pot luck for us. John’s last day as their interim pastor was Christmas morning, which wasn’t the best day to schedule a party. (By the way, their new pastor started July 1!)
We flew to California on Good Friday and had our first ever “Chreaster” or “Eastmas,” if you prefer. All the presents that had been bought and wrapped and ready since December were opened on Easter afternoon after church. Not sure if it will ever become a tradition, but we had a great weekend in the Airbnb we rented.
A few days after we got home from California, we joined a few thousand of our closest friends to see Jim Gaffigan. Great evening!
A couple of times during the year we got to see the family’s newest arrival – little Loralee Crandall (Leslie’s great niece) – including being part of her first birthday celebration in October.
A second flight to California took John to Camarillo to officiate at the memorial service for Glenn Channels, husband of Cathy, the former preschool director at Mount Cross Lutheran. Cathy and John worked together for just over 26 years at the church.
Mid-August, John signed up for the 2023 Great Cycle Challenge, supporting the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. He pedaled 319 miles during the month of September and Team Jack raised $7,000. Maybe you’ll join John and ride with Team Jack next year???
On August 24, our world was shattered when Jason died of a sudden heart attack. He had just turned 40 a couple of weeks before. So back to California we flew to be with Sarah, Nora, Jack and the rest of the family. His colleagues at California Great America held an upbeat memorial gathering on Friday and then there was a moving and meaningful memorial service at the church on September 3. The whole weekend was at the same time wonderful and painful, exhausting and comforting. So many have connected in so many ways to share our grief, in addition to the hundreds who attend the memorial service. We all say once again: Thank you!
Jack, who will be 10 in March, is on a new chemo regimen and is doing pretty well these days. He’s in school and recently played the part of the centipede in a production of James and the Giant Peach.
Nora (soon to be 12), recently finished her latest season of volleyball and is a dedicated Swiftie.
Christmas came early for us in Michigan when Rachel and Whitney flew out from California for a few days in early December.
A couple of times during the year we got to see the family’s newest arrival – little Loralee Crandall (Leslie’s great niece) – including being part of her first birthday celebration in October.
A second flight to California took John to Camarillo to officiate at the memorial service for Glenn Channels, husband of Cathy, the former preschool director at Mount Cross Lutheran. Cathy and John worked together for just over 26 years at the church.
Mid-August, John signed up for the 2023 Great Cycle Challenge, supporting the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. He pedaled 319 miles during the month of September and Team Jack raised $7,000. Maybe you’ll join John and ride with Team Jack next year???
On August 24, our world was shattered when Jason died of a sudden heart attack. He had just turned 40 a couple of weeks before. So back to California we flew to be with Sarah, Nora, Jack and the rest of the family. His colleagues at California Great America held an upbeat memorial gathering on Friday and then there was a moving and meaningful memorial service at the church on September 3. The whole weekend was at the same time wonderful and painful, exhausting and comforting. So many have connected in so many ways to share our grief, in addition to the hundreds who attend the memorial service. We all say once again: Thank you!
Jack, who will be 10 in March, is on a new chemo regimen and is doing pretty well these days. He’s in school and recently played the part of the centipede in a production of James and the Giant Peach.
Nora (soon to be 12), recently finished her latest season of volleyball and is a dedicated Swiftie.
Christmas came early for us in Michigan when Rachel and Whitney flew out from California for a few days in early December.
Rachel has been working as a cardiac nurse for nearly 8 years. She lives in Simi Valley and is always looking to plan trips up to Mammoth Lakes.
Whitney is living in Ventura and teaching yoga at local studios. She has been working to help start a nonprofit organization, The Vriddhi Foundation, to fund girls in rural India to go to college. She is also a proud mom to her cat, Gypsy Cat Carver.
Leslie is recovering from a sprained ankle and ripped-off big toe nail. That’s what happens when you’re clueless on the stairs. She is happy reading, reading, and reading. And buying books!!
John is in his latest iteration of retirement, serving as a supply pastor and filling in on Sundays for pastors on vacation or on sick leave. He continues to spend many mornings in his wood shop and enjoys playing in the Saginaw Classic Legacy Band. (see johnsoyster.com).
When we say we hope 2024 is a better year, we mean that we will live in and with hope – even with an empty chair at the family table. We’ll live in hope, knowing we will see each other again. And we’ll hope to live, even while we’ll still grieve, with the same enthusiasm that Jason modeled for us all.
With love and hope,
Leslie & John
[email protected]
[email protected]
Whitney is living in Ventura and teaching yoga at local studios. She has been working to help start a nonprofit organization, The Vriddhi Foundation, to fund girls in rural India to go to college. She is also a proud mom to her cat, Gypsy Cat Carver.
Leslie is recovering from a sprained ankle and ripped-off big toe nail. That’s what happens when you’re clueless on the stairs. She is happy reading, reading, and reading. And buying books!!
John is in his latest iteration of retirement, serving as a supply pastor and filling in on Sundays for pastors on vacation or on sick leave. He continues to spend many mornings in his wood shop and enjoys playing in the Saginaw Classic Legacy Band. (see johnsoyster.com).
When we say we hope 2024 is a better year, we mean that we will live in and with hope – even with an empty chair at the family table. We’ll live in hope, knowing we will see each other again. And we’ll hope to live, even while we’ll still grieve, with the same enthusiasm that Jason modeled for us all.
With love and hope,
Leslie & John
[email protected]
[email protected]