The Wilson's 2020 Christmas Letter
Normally, our lives are full of busy activities, but the pandemic changed all that, as it has done for most people. Despite the adjustments, we've been able to figure out a new (temporary) normal.
Fortunately, Southern Wesleyan University was able to start and finish the fall sememster in person, due largely to herculean precautions on the part of everyone to stay safe. It has been a challenging year for the university, but everyone has pulled together to make the best of a difficult situation.
Hannah has completed her junior year of college and remains on the dean's list, majoring in Early Childhood and Family Studies. She also works every afternoon at The Growing Place Daycare Center.
Cathy is involved in many projects at home and in the community. Both Mark and Hannah are grateful for her encouraging support along the way.
Hannah and Cathy continue to play (violin and viola respectively) for Chamber Strings at Southern Wesleyan University, although performances were limited in the fall semester. Here's a link to their outdoor rendition of Star Wars.
Mark continues to serve on the religion faculty at SWU and successfully defended the research proposal for his doctoral project at Wesley Seminary. His project is Preaching for Congregational Vitality and he anticipates completing it in August 2021. Although his travel was significantly reduced, he still had several opportunities throughout the year to speak in various venues -- especially online.
Adam, a physicist specializing in heat transfer, has been quite busy researching and publishing. His work has appeared in several scientific journals and other publications. He and his wife, Alexandra, live in Columbia, Maryland. Alexandra provides administration for GrayBug, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing transformative medicines for the treatment of chronic diseases of the retina and optic nerve. She is also pursuing further education in business administration.
Ryan recently assumed a larger leadership role at Hayward Wesleyan Church where he serves at the Pastor of Worship and Discipleship. Stacy continues to teach third grade at Hayward Elementary School. Beckett (age four) and Andy (age one and a half) bring much delight. Beckett started pre-school this year at Northern Lights Academy. During the pandemic, Ryan wrote a beautiful song, Sojourner's Hymn, which has brought encouragement to many.
Luke and Emily live in Hayward, Wisconsin. Luke uses his culinary skills as a cook at the Sawyer County Jail while Emily provides an extra measure of care for Lily at home. Lily's health has been improving significantly and she is slowly being weaned from her feeding tube.
Wes and Jeweleeann, who live in Stone Lake, Wisconsin, are in the early stages of the adoption process. They long to bring a little one into their home and we are praying with them that God will open up the doors for this to become a reality. They will certainly provide a warm and loving home for a precious child. Jeweleeann provided vocals for You are A Gift from God (a wonderful video/book project). Wes serves as the Perkins and Project Success Grants Coordinator for LCO Community College and began a Masters in Counseling program at University of Wisconsin, Superior this past fall.
Sadly, due to covid, we are unable to make our normal pilgrimage to Hayward for Christmas and must remain in South Carolina. However, times like this make us cherish our loved ones all the more and we look forward to the day when we can once again see each other face to face.
At the conclusion of Passover Seder, our Jewish friends declare, "Next year in Jerusalem!" This is the sentiment of our hearts: "Next year, in Hayward!"
Thank you for the Wilson Word and update. I sure wish you'd post a few sermons this year. I so miss them.
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