MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE NORWOOD FAMILY!

The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  (Ephesians 5:22-23)

We hope that you are experiencing the Fruit that comes from knowing God, through his Son Jesus, this Christmas!

We have a lot to be grateful for this year!  Here’s a quick update on who’s doing what, and for links to pictures and more:   http://thenorwoodfamily.blogspot.com

Daniel and Christina are living in San Diego along with their little girls, Adelae (6) and Elena (4).  Daniel’s work as a product manager for Quest Software has literally taken him all over the world this year, from the Orient to Europe.  

David and Carly are living in Holly Springs, GA just north of Atlanta.  David works as an IT manager for a local hospital and Carly finished up her degree at Georgia State.  Their band, Stellate, has nearly completed their new demo CD, and will be available for sale through iTunes starting January 1st.  To listen go to  Myspace.com/heliosmusic

Rachel and Aaron live in Braselton, GA, northeast of Atlanta, and both work in the same office building in Gainesville.  For their first anniversary they traveled to California, visited the Napa Valley and then on to our home in San Diego so they could spoil their nieces!  They are happy newlyweds!

Stephen (18) had an exciting year with his music.  He was in a national music competition in May that took place on a cruise ship and took 2nd place.  He has started writing and completed a demo CD of three songs he wrote and produced at a studio in Washington State.  He’s enjoying singing and playing keyboard at church (Rachel and Nancy are singing there too) and is applying for a transfer to Belmont in Nashville for the Fall of 2009.  To listen to Stephen's new CD, go to Myspace.com/stephennorwood

Christopher (15) continues to be active as a Brown Belt in karate, Boy Scouts and playing the bass guitar at church.  He’s got his learner’s permit to drive, too!  This summer he and Eric went on a Scout adventure to the Bahamas, where they crewed for an 80-foot wooden sailboat for a week.  

Jonathan (11) also is a Brown Belt in karate and has joined the Boy Scout troop too.  He’s already achieved the rank of 1st Class.  His musical passion is the electric guitar and he loves to play football in the neighborhood with Chris and the guys!

Nancy continues to home school Christopher and Jonathan and has really thrived with her jewelry.  Expanding into metalwork, her work is featured in galleries in Atlanta and San Diego.  To view her latest pieces, go her her website and click on “New for 2008” at Mybeautifulcreations.com

Eric’s work in healthcare is never dull, always challenging, and rich with opportunities for God’s grace to abound! He enjoys monthly outings with the Boy Scouts and has also reached Brown Belt in karate.  

A highlight of the year was our celebration of Nancy’s parents’ 60th Wedding Anniversary in Portsmouth, Ohio in March.  We literally had every family member in one place for 3 days and it was a wonderful time!

We really enjoyed spending time at our second home in Escondido (San Diego), CA in June and again between Christmas and New Years.   The avocados and guavas are growing fast and we find it to be the most peaceful, refreshing place on this planet. We suspect we love it because it just reminds us of a “home” we’ve yet to see, where we’ll spend eternity.  

Eric read an interesting book this summer called Happiness Is A Serious Problem, by Dennis Prager.  The author is a devout Jew who delves into what happiness is all about.  He raises a lot of fascinating ideas, but the one that seems most central is this: happy people are grateful people. But it raises a question: to whom, then, are we to be grateful if not to our Creator?

Thomas Aquinas wrote: “There is within every soul a thirst for happiness and meaning.” God created us, and He is perfect.  We are far from perfect and unable to secure a relationship with Him by doing good things.  Therefore, He became a man, Jesus, who lived a perfect life, was crucified and resurrected, all to pay the debt for our sins.  His work changed the world.  But it is up to you to accept this gift for yourself.  “Today is the day of salvation”… don’t wait until tomorrow!

Wishing you the happiest Christmas ever!

Eric and Nancy Norwood

In your honor, a donation has been made to Good News Community Center, Ouya Village, Kenya to support ministry to AIDS widows and orphans.