MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015 From

JOE AND DORIS NOLAND

At Christmas time and facing the coming of a new year we always reflect on the past year. One of the wonderful things about reflection is the ability to see God's faithfulness in every experience throughout the year. And, our days have been filled with His goodness to us.

In retrospect several blessings stand out for us in 2015.

In February I was honored to officiate as Guy married Jill Scoggins in a beautiful outdoor setting. Granddaughter Riley sang "Come Rain or Come Shine" and the weather gave us both! In Hawaii rain on your wedding day is considered by some to be a blessing and we are convinced that this marriage is BLESSED by God.

Their Honeymoon was planned for summer in Spain where Guy ran with the bulls in Barcelona, while Jill bravely cheered from the sidelines. Memorable!!

In June Joe and I took a two-week cruise to Alaska visiting officers in Juneau and Hoonah on the way to Anchorage. The President was in town in Anchorage and we waved from the street corner as he passed by.

Upon return to Seattle, we visited my sister-in-law Marianne Tobin and family in Puyallup and Joe's brother Rob and Pam Noland and nephew Daniel. A car trip took us to visit our mentee's Lt's Ricky & Sylvia Scruggs who have a vital ministry in Pendleton, Oregon.

November and December found us in Honolulu . Upon landing the Nor Virus hit me and I got a fast trip by ambulance to Queens' Hospital. Prayer and IV's got me on my feet to enjoy Punahou's production of Oliver and to see Riley star as Nancy. (Which was FANTASTIC!) I generously shared my virus with Joe three days later!!

Our 5 weeks in Hawaii gave us a wonderful time to catch up on the Noland Ohana. McKenna (17), now a senior, spent the summer with her sister Riley working at camp in N.Cal. and visiting colleges on the West Coast. Riley (16) is busy with school musical activities and Hawaii Opera Theater. Shea (11) excels in school and spent Spring Break with us. (Great fun for us!) She did some commissioned art for a couple Divisional events in N.Cal and Hawaii.

The twins, Parker and Hayden (8) charmed us and keep Rob and Dee busy with Soccer, skate boarding, and Kempo.( a Martial arts program). We were there when they received their Purple belts.

Rob's Rev Hi is expanding and exciting things are in the planning for 2016. Dee continues with Hawaiian airlines and …manages the family calendar… she is a wonder!

Joe and I are healthy and bouncing around between our desert home and Redondo Beach. Joe has revived his blog site: Slightly Irregular: www.joenoland.blogspot.com. My children's book, The Christmas Gecko, was published this year and is available from Amazon.com and www.go.usawest.com/gecko

We think of you, our friends and family, throughout the year and pray for you as well. We love to see you on FB and to receive your Christmas letters!! Keep healthy and close to God in 2016! Joe and Doris