2014 has been quite an emotional roller

coaster ride! Amidst the highs and

lows, God has brought us new resi-

dents, new challenges and a renewed

hope. There have definitely been some

times of discouragement and tears but

also there have been some happy times

of laughter and celebration. We’ve

grown and we’ve learned a lot about

ourselves and through it all we con-

tinue to press on. The fact that God

continues to use us to interact with

people and touch individual lives…for

that we are truly thankful! We are also

thankful for the Christmas season. We

love Christmas! The house is deco-

rated, Christmas music fills the air,

Christmas shopping is almost done and

we’ve been watching Hallmark Christ-

mas movies since October. As Chris-

tians, Christmas takes on a special

meaning as we celebrate our Savior’s

birth! It’s hard to fathom that the God

of all creation chose to come as a little

baby and was born in a lowly manger.

Because Jesus was born and rose from

the dead, we can have hope in God’s

promises and in His amazing love

for us. Christ means hope—for a

loved-one who was out of work.

Christ means hope— for three of our

believing residents (Eleanor, Lorin,

and Dorothy/Mom) who passed

away this year. Christ means hope—

for a grandson who tested positive

for the NF1 gene. Christ means

hope—when we’re trying to lose

weight. Christ means hope—when

trying to sell mom’s house for over

six months. Christ means hope—

when rules and regulations are

changed. Christ means hope—when

the computer freezes up; and the list

goes on. Christ means hope—no

matter what the circumstance or how

bad a day may be. What a wonder-

ful hope we have because of that

first Christmas!

Our Christmas Prayer:

“May the God of hope fill you

with all joy and peace in

believing, that you may abound

in hope by the power of the

Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Andy, Christy, Aidan Brooks & Brennan

Aidan is now six and in the first grade.

He loves learning. He is an Awana

Sparkie at his church and was very

proud when he recently earned his

Sparks vest. His love of life and witty

personality makes him who he is. The

tooth fairy made his first appearance

and Aidan was one excited boy!

Aidan loves his grown up basketball

hoop and is actually pretty good at

making baskets. Brooks and Bren-

nan are currently 20 months old.

Christy had a Hole in 1 Par-Tee for

their first birthday and they had a

great time. Everyone was very im-

pressed with Christy’s creativity

with the golf theme. Brooks keeps

everyone laughing and on their toes.

He loves to discover new things. In

Sept. he received his first set of

stitches. Somebody learned the hard

way not to dance in the bathtub.

Brennan is happy to just take it all in

and watch the craziness around him.

Brooks loves the water and

Brennan wants nothing to do

with it. Both boys like to curl

up on either mom or dad’s lap.

All three boys are amazing and

Andy and Christy are both great

parents. On 7/29 Andy and

Christy celebrated their 9th

wedding anniversary and on

9/29, Andy turned the big 40!

Al & Roberta Wilsey, 1394 E. Toledo Street, Gilbert, AZ 85295

480-363-6130 (Al) or 480-363-6139 (Roberta) alwilsey@cox.net or robertawilsey@cox.net

December 2014

Merry Christmas from the Wilseys

HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR YEAR

1 Homemade Romanian

Sarmale dinner with

Marcela Popescu &

Rich & Barb McIntyre.

5 Al spent a week in WI &

IL repairing mom’s

house & visiting family.

2 Cubs vs. Angels Train-

ing Game with Larry

Payne. 6

Vacationed in So. CA.

Surprise 60th birthday

party for Roberta.

3 First Birthday Party for

Brooks & Brennan.

Huntley, IL 7

Roberta’s brother, Gary

came for a visit.

4 Al conducted the funeral

of a childhood friend

Lorin Fast via internet. 8

Roberta’s mother passed

away. Memorial service

in WI.

Carrie

Carrie will be turning 32 on

the 28th of December. Car-

rie is a very busy, independ-

ent, young lady. She is the

Preschool Director/Teacher

at Great Start Preschool and

Daycare. She has worked

there for over five years.

With over 10 years of pre-

school teaching plus her

years as an Awana leader,

she has gained invaluable

practical experiences and

loves to develop new and

effective ways to inspire and

motivate her students. She

comes home exhausted but

she loves it. She especially

enjoys the administrative

side of the job and has a

great rapport with parents

and staff. On Saturday

evenings Carrie is the

Children’s Worship

Leader at Mission Com-

munity Church. Her

church just recently an-

nounced that Joel Thomas

will be the new Lead Pas-

tor. Carrie loves her

church and can’t wait to

see what other amazing

things God has in store for

Mission. Two nights out

of the week Carrie works

as a Caregiver at House of

Comfort. With our new-

est resident she is learning

that swings are not only a

playground item at her

preschool, they can also

be mood swings that leave

all of us wishin’, hopin’,

thinkin’, and doing a lot

of prayin’! It definitely is

not an easy job, but it’s

not without its lighter mo-

ments and rewards.

We do not sorrow l ike those who have no hope. . . I Thess . 4:13

As Christmas gets closer we

approach it with mixed feelings.

This is our first Christmas with-

out mom. Mom passed away on

September 11th. Like so many

others we are learning that there

is no right or wrong way to

grieve. It hurts so much every

time we think of her. We miss

hearing her voice, her canny

whit, her one-liners, and yes

even her “wa-wa” singing. We

know mom would not want us

to be sad. She would want us to

hopeful and carry on her legacy

of faith and love. We will miss

mom every day for the rest of

our earthly lives and we look

forward to that last trump when

we will see her again. Just

knowing that she is celebrating

and experiencing all the won-

ders of heaven and that she is

standing whole and tall brings

much comfort and joy.

Heaven’s angelic choir has

gained one special lady.

REMEMBER ME

Written by: Roberta Wilsey 9/2014

When I needed your help It was you who came, My neighbors, my friends… I forgot your name. I was lonely and afraid And you calmed my fears, Remember me… With happy smiles not tears.

In 2009 I was diagnosed With a terrible disease, Becoming dependent On my family’s expertise. Even though there was much I didn’t understand, Remember me… I was always in my Father’s Hand!

I couldn’t help the way I was acting even if I tried, People were patient and kind Coming alongside. I won’t be here to see My great grandchildren grow, Remember me… Tell them all about Grandma Dodo.

Though my life was full And I accomplished much, At the end what mattered Was your loving touch. Things are really different now And as you reflect, Remember me… Through memories we will connect.

I will be with you in your Thoughts and in your heart, My battle is now over And I’ve got a heavenly start. No pain, no wounds, Oh the things that I can see, Until God reunites us… Remember me!

Merry Christmas From Heaven!

Remembering Mom

We are so thankful for

your love and friendship.

Please come and visit!