The last eighty-five days presented complete chaos to my family as we struggled to move quickly, sell a home, find a home…and tried to keep the kids lives somewhat normal. Believe it or not, they actually crave being able to do their schoolwork again.

We landed on a hill in Loudon County, Virginia. On arrival my wife and I decided to dedicate our time here to the Holy Family and their example of good living. It is fitting in every way.

Like Joseph I sweat through relocation, moving, getting the house ready, dealign with unexpected pests in the house….etc. We dealt with sick kids during the move in process. Nothing was easy, but through it all my wife held us true to our family values. She planned special events for kids, nurtured them when sick, reminded big kids to set up the Christmas tree while we found dishes…and made sure St. Nicholas would not miss the house last night in any way. Even today at mass with a rowdy three year old, it was Mom who kept reminding me to calm down and enjoy mass. She was my Mary keeping me in the hear and now, reminding me to focus on Christ in our midst at mass.

So in the first week of living on this hill, we already used their pious virtues to refocus us as a family team on what matters….Thanks be to God for their example. I think we made a good choice with dedicating this homestead to them…

Merry Christmas! Let the hope of Christ we feel today recommit us all to begging god for the gift of faith…and the Charity needed to be his hands on earth. Amen!

-ehw