Dear Loved Ones,

Another year rolls round and it is time again to send our holiday wishes out, albeit the last hour, ah, the beauty of the internet . . .

Tonight Jerry, Bill, Max and I are enjoying a quiet sabbath Christmas Eve, counting our blessings, which are, to us, dear.

We are so happy to have Max with us, safe and sound, after his 23 months as a missionary in Russia. He is doing so well and is a joy to have around. He is happier, more confident, and yet, more humble.

We have come to know our neighbors here and realize that this place, Saratoga Springs, Utah, and even this very neighborhood, is truly a unique place, not only for it's natural beauty and peace, but for the wonderful people who have gathered to this spot. We feel so blessed to be in their midst.

We don't have excess, but we have enough of what we need to manage in this world. We have many opportunities to serve and share and develop our talents. We are cared for by loving friends as well. It is good.

And we have a knowledge of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I sometimes reflect about all who have lived on this earth without that knowledge. I think of the difference it has made in my life, and the singularity of how it came to me, and I am filled with gratitude.

We miss our children in Ohio. We wonder how we will continue to make ends meet. But we don't despair, just carry on.

We've been enjoying reading together - lots of things, scripture, novels, biographies, inspirational books etc. We don't have television service here and do not miss it one bit. We do rent a lot of movies, and usually try to go to the cinema once a week, but we keep busy with enough else that we don't care about the broadcast television we don't see.

Bill is living in Provo and working for NuSkin in customer support for one of their software programs. He sports a goatee these days, kinda cute. He spent some time in Florida and in Boston earlier this year, working for a radio communications company - having some fun adventures and meeting some nice people.

Max lives here with Jerry and I and is working at Ottavio's Italian Restaurant in American Fork. He found a car to suit his budget and is registered for classes at Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah - about 20 minutes from here - starting in January. He will try out some engineering classes to see if he likes it. He is also signed up for an upper level Russian class.

Jerry and I started making soy candles recently. I finally finished a stained glass window I started four years ago and taught a little class in it here at the house. Jerry has done a little oil painting. So we keep our creative side active in many ways. I've been working to start a digital art department at our website, latter-dayvillage.com, and have loved working with over a dozen artists to get their artwork available for sale as digital collections. I have reconnected with some old friends this way, which is a sweet blessing to me.

We have worked on family history - both for Jerry's family lines and for mine. Some distant cousins who now live in Paraguay and Australia, and who are from my mother's Belarus roots, have discovered my family history webpage and contacted me - WHAT JOY! Now maybe Max can help us with our Russian/Ukranian family lines.

Kate and her family, along with Michael, came out to visit us this last June - we got to meet our new granddaughter Hannah - so tiny and so peaceful, with such a head of hair. It is hard to be so far away and miss watching her grow up! Geoff graduated from Wright State in information systems management. Kate continues working on her bachelors in psychology at Wright State along with caring for her growing family - she is amazing. Michael had about decided to become a recluse in the forest, sure he would never find his love - when lo and behold, Alisha found him! It was poetic justice.

Jerry is in the high priest group leadership and we serve together in the nursery, while I do the weekly printed program and maintain the ward website. We both sing in our wonderful church choir. I belong to a neighborhood book club and am the president of the HOA in our little sub-association of 42 lots.

So - anyway - that is our news. Remember our home welcomes you if you happen to be in the area - just give us a call or send an email! 801-766-8491

All our love and best wishes,

Debbi & Jerry

President Schwitzer and Elder Andrus July 2006

Bill, Jerry and the VERY TIRED Elder Andrus on December 15, 2006 at the SLC Airport.