IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

It’s beginning to look alike lot Christmas! Seattle has been inundated with a cold spell and lots of snow for the region. Because of the extreme cold temperatures—20’s, the snow is powdery…..just like the Rockies!! I LOVE IT! It is now sunny and beautiful, at least for awhile before the snow dumps again tonight and through the weekend. It is suppose to bring 90 mph winds so outages are predicted here…….Time to get out the generator---wait, we don’t have one…..Frank, I know what I want for Christmas. He left at 6:00AM this morning to pick up the last one before they were all gone.

I’m thankful I have been able to work out of the house and avoid the slick and unkept roads. When it snows here there isn’t enough snow removal equipment and it gets ugly. Cars were strewn between buses up and down off and on ramps to the freeways---YIKES. I LOVE THE SNOW WHEN I DON’T HAVE TO BE ANYWHERE AND CAN ENJOY THE WINTER WHITE WONDERLAND DRAPED AGAINST THE BRILLIANT BLUE SKY.

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES--MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008 FISCHER FAMILY
My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord. (2 Nephi 4:16)- His law, His life, His love. To delight in Him is to acknowledge His hand in our lives. As we commemorate this Holiday season we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge His hand in our lives this past year. We experienced several months filled with tremendous ups and downs. We were thrilled that Jonathan accepted a call to serve in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro North Mission. Shortly after Jonathan left, Aaron was unable to work due to varying physical ailments. Being diagnosed with Celiac and Addison Disease he was inundated physically, emotionally, and financially. My soul delighted with the overwhelming response from his friends as they helped shoulder his affliction with money, food, and love. I know that the Lord’s tender mercies and miracles, large and small, are real. They come in His way and on His timetable. Sometimes it is not until we have reached our extremity. Aaron was healed and is once again making his way back among the living. During Aaron’s struggles however, Frank experienced a few of his own. Frank suffered Encephalitis this summer and was hospitalized twice. I once again was amazed and touched as I delighted in the tender mercies that the Lord extended to Frank and I through faithful friends and family. From many prayers to food assignments, we witnessed the miracle of earthly angels. My soul delighted in the things of the Lord as I witnessed the power of the priesthood bestow promises of health to loved ones that were suffering. Amidst these family afflictions, miracles continued as we delighted in the birth of our first grandson that brought joy and hope into our family that once felt feelings of despair. It was such a contrast leaving the gloom of Frank’s hospital situation to find joy in another hospital with a floor filled with new born infants. A room with a daughter beaming with love for a child she so willingly labored to bring forth into this world. Just as in centuries past the miracle of an infant birth brought joy and hope to all mankind. We love to honor his Name. Our souls have been lifted and our hearts have been given cause to rejoice as we know that our Redeemer Lives!

We love the Lord, in Him our soul delights.

Look Kids The Garage has a New Cabinet!

The garage is even getting a face lift!

Busy Tearing Out and Cleaning Up

We have been busy redoing the kitchen. We will be replacing the counter tops with granite and needed to remove the small counter next to the refrigerator. Once you start, you wonder what's next since something outshines the next item adjacent to it. We just replaced all of our white and very old appliances with stainless steel.

Home Improvements 'R' Us

Frank has been busy finishing the deck that was never built on the lower level off the theater room. Paint will need to wait for Spring time.

FATHERS TRIBUTE

As you know, most of my childhood was spent growing up in Wyoming. Raised by a father who worked as a Forest Ranger, my memories are filled with lots of activities created by someone that loved the outdoors. This enabled many different activities enjoyed in an outdoor environment which we as a family actively participated in. Our Christmas tree harvest legacy started with my father. Next Sunday, December 7th, we celebrate his 80th birthday. The following is my tribute to my father.

"Most of my memories of you Dad are related to the outdoors. I guess that is why I have gained such a great love for nature and have positioned myself in living in an area that supports many wonderful outdoor opportunities as well. I feel so blessed to have grown up in a small beautiful country town that promoted endless vacations that continues to this day, drawing many from all corners of the world for its outdoor splendor and enjoyment. Thanks Dad. To this day I love to travel and will always have a love for God’s wonders as I travel and view many of His beautiful creations. I realize now that it was gift growing up in a beautiful and extraordinary small town. At this stage in my life I actually yearn for the tranquil (at least during the Fall Season) environment that it seemed to provide. Jackson Hole was really your dream job come true as you were able to work in an environment that you enjoyed recreating in and through your work, help enable opportunities for many others then and in the years to come to enjoy as well. It was there that you honed your level of patience as you were continually waiting on me and other family members as we learned to enjoy outdoor activities we came to welcome there. Whether it was taking your children hunting, hiking, snowmobiling, or skiing we were ready to go with you and try new outdoor thrills.

I remember late autumn days when I was awakened early in the morning to go hunting and tromping, what seemed to me then, endless hours up and down hither and yawn just to bag that big game. It was often cold and tiring walking all those many steps as a child and to me not a very fun time. Looking back, I'm quite certain Mom must have bribed you big time to have taken your young children with you those many cold early Saturday morning. Even though at times I wasn’t always eager to follow, I was happy to know you wanted to spend family time together. I even realized then it wasn’t so bad to be in the cold as long as we were dressed for the occasion. Most family relatives could never understand why we liked living in such an extreme weather environment with extended the winter days that followed. But we did.

Learning how to enjoy the snow made it fun, even if it meant strapping on stiff heavy ski boots and slapping two boards on our feet to travel down the cold winter slopes। I'm sure you will never forget waiting patiently for me as it took many hours trying to help me get down off the top of the steepest ski run (at least to me at the time) at Teton Village (Jackson Hole Ski Resort). Sorry Dad. As practice makes perfect my skiing skills finally improved and I had plenty of pay back time taking my own children to the winter slopes. There like you, I waited patiently as they tried to stay upright making their way down the challenging slippery ski slopes. I’ve since come to understand that in life we are never completely finished getting down slippery slopes without the constant guidance of a Heavenly Father. It is a testimony to me as I witness the pattern reflected in our own earthly existence as we are blessed to raise children and hopefully become goodly parents, kind and dear. It isn’t any coincidence that Fathers are there leading the family unit with their strong and patient persuasion that stands ready and able to assists us all along the way. Thanks for being a kind, gentle, and patient father.

Many memories are sustained to this day through the traditions you started with our family. Through the years we have perpetuated your Christmas tree legacy by harvesting our fresh cut Christmas tree high up in the mountains. That tradition is a cherished memory. My children loved venturing into the woods through snow showers and sometimes rain showers living in Seattle in pursuit of that perfect Christmas tree. All of this has been a gentle reminder of my childhood and though at times we were awfully difficult to train I know we all came to love you more because of what fun we came together to enjoy. Thanks Dad for the many experiences that helped shape me and all the memories that came from you in which I have come to love you more. Happy Birthday Dad!"

The joy of having a beautiful daughter and the cutest ever grandson-Casch!