Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas one and all!

It’s been quite an eventful year for my whole family! My dad, Ross, accepted a job at Brigham Young University Idaho as a professor in the agriculture department.  In June, my family moved from Burley, Idaho, to a tiny town called Teton, Idaho, which is about seven miles northeast of Rexburg. They bought a small farmhouse with some land; they later added on another 1000 square feet and the house is quite comfortable and mostly finished now.

My youngest sister, Stephanie, settled in quickly and joined the high school volleyball team. Next spring she will be participating in Distinguished Young Women, which is a pageant where she will demonstrate skills in poise, talent, fitness, and interview.

My other sister, Stacie, and her husband Scott (but we all call him Mooch), bought a house in Burley. Soon after that they also got a mastiff puppy named Gus Gus. But, there was more adventure in store for my sister…she was called as her ward’s young women’s president!! She’s 22. She gets along well with kids so I know she’ll do an awesome job. Mooch is working as a paramedic and taking some classes on the side.

My brother, Jared, met a charming young lady, Kathryn, in September 2013. After he sang in church she was instantly smitten and it wasn’t too long before he was googley-eyed for her too. They got married in the Oakland Temple in August. Kathryn has been a great addition to our family and we love her. Jared graduated from BYU-Idaho in April and started a master’s program studying agronomy (plant stuff) at the University of Minnesota this fall.

As for me, I’ve had quite a few life changes myself. After graduating from BYU-Idaho in exercise science in April 2012, I got a job in Idaho Falls as a physical therapy technician (helper to the physical therapist). I enjoyed the work environment and I met some fascinating people. At the beginning of this year I applied to several physical therapy schools. I was accepted to a university in New Hampshire and to Rocky Mountain University in Provo, Utah. I wasn’t too excited about New Hampshire, so I chose Provo. I started school in May and I’ve hardly had a spare moment since! In addition to school I attend institute, run, go indoor rock climbing occasionally, and manage to have some random adventures when I'm not studying. I am not dating anyone, but I have made several friends.

As I reflect on the changes my family and I have had this year, I see how evident the Lord’s hand has been in each of our lives. As I have struggled through many challenging classes, I have been impressed with how my journey is similar to the one my pioneer ancestors embarked on. When the path is difficult or daunting, I am reminded of the lyrics for “Come, Come Ye Saints.”  “Come, come ye saints. No toil nor labor fear. But with joy, wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, grace shall be as your day...All is well.” It is the grace and power of the atonement that allows us to have joy and press forward even in great trials. I am grateful for the gift of Jesus Christ and I know that He is my Savior and Redeemer. Things aren’t perfect, but I, too, can say “All is well.”

I love you all and hope you have a very merry Christmas and happy new year!!

Love,

Emily Spackman