Christmas Again, Already?
Ever notice
how adults often fuss about how quickly Christmas comes around, as though an
extra week in December would help us be ready? and children fuss about how long
it takes to get to Christmas as though subtracting a week from December would
make waiting easier?
Despite the
denigration of Christmas letters as brag-sheets, we enjoy the annual catch-up
with friends and family, and send The
Stolpe Star as our way of affirming the wonderful relationships we have had
with so many people over the years.
But even more
than the family news, we want to extend to each of you our greetings and
prayers for a Merry Christmas. May you find that contemplating the birth of
Jesus each year never gets old but renews your spirit again.
Norm and
Candy Stolpe
Helen Doris Stolpe
We were able
to see Norm’s Mom in August when we traveled to the Midwest. Her health and
strength had been declining since Norm’s Dad died in 2007 and accelerated the
last couple of years. We all knew this would be our last visit, which we found
deeply satisfying rather than depressing. Besides time with Mom, we had good
conversation with Norm’s sister Elaine and her husband Max to thank them for
their years of on-site care for her and to prepare for her departure.
She left us
in peace in the early morning hours of September 30 (Norm’s 68th
birthday), content with a full life devoted to Jesus without regrets,
unresolved relationships or unfulfilled dreams.
The Family Gathers
We took a
couple of weeks off between Norm’s interim pastorates with 1st
Christian Church of Odessa, TX and Highlands Christian Church in Dallas, TX. We
flew to Milwaukee and had quality time with Rachel and David, Sam and Elizabeth
as we used their home as basecamp and their car for transportation to visit
Candy’s Dad in Minneapolis and Norm’s Mom in Batavia, IL.
 |
| Leanne, Jon, Erik, Sam, Candy, Norm, Elizabeth, Isaac, Hannah, David, Rachel The banner behind us was done by Tim Botts, an artist I knew during my Wheaton days. It says, "Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving" which we all thought was appropriate for my Mom as we gathered for her memorial service at Evangel Baptist Church in Wheaton |
In October we
were back in Illinois for Mom’s memorial service with Erik, David and his
family and Jon and his family and had a potent bonding time. Norm’s sister
Elaine had all of her children and most of her grandchildren there as well. We
got to see dear friends from our years in Illinois too.
Moving On
After 2 years
for interim pastorates in Midwest City, OK and Odessa, TX, we are happy to be
back in our Dallas home and serving Highlands Christian Church.
Erik’s career
is also taking an important turn. His musical opportunities are expanding, and
he has gone back to food service with Rusty Taco, with prospects of
advancement.
Contact Us
Norm:
214-793-5224
nstolpe@sbcglobal.net
Candy:
214-793-2572
cstolpe@sbcglobal.net
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