Dear Family and Friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
This year began when I literally slept away the entire New
Year’s Day holiday as I recovered from my first trip to see my parents in Germany
over last Christmas. When I finally woke up I determined to never miss another
day like that ever again. I’m glad I kept that resolve because this year flew
by. If I had even blinked once I’m pretty sure I would have missed everything! J
2017 was pretty amazing. I was able to travel twice more back to
Europe to see my parents and visit my other European friends. During these
trips I felt especially fortunate and grateful to have been able to visit Paris; Bremen and LΓΌbeck in
northern Germany; and Berlin, Freiberg, and Dresden
in the former east Germany, all for the first time. My visits to each city were much too short,
but I definitely learned as much as I could and gained a greater appreciation
for the profound history of these cities.
In addition to my travels abroad, I of course had my obligatory annual trip to Disneyland (rough life). I also had the great
opportunity this past spring to help my sister and her family with
their brand new baby girl as well as visit other family in Canada and Austin
this past fall. After all of these travels and adventures I am more grateful
than ever for my family and friends, including my
supervisor who allowed me the time off and my office mates who helped with my
work during my absences. (And for those of you who may be wondering after all
this travel, yes I still work! J)
While I have enjoyed all of these amazing opportunities this
year, I have also had my share of challenges that at times felt like too much
to bear. I discovered that finding my way through each challenge required a
change of heart in both my attitude and perspective. Through these challenges I
learned more than I could ever have imagined, including most importantly that
the healing and strengthening powers of Jesus Christ’s Atonement are real, and
for that I am most grateful for the opportunity at this Christmas time to honor
Him and celebrate His birth.
I am most grateful for all of you, too, and wish you all peace
and love in this season and in the New Year.
Love,
Susannah
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| February trip to Disneyland with this motley crew of sibs and nieces and nephews! |
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| Despite my best efforts to avoid this, I turned 40 in March. I tried to put on a good face that day. |
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| Brandenburger Tor (Gate) in Berlin, Ger. with Mom (April) |
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| With Mom at East Side Gallery of Berlin Wall (April) |
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| With parents in a Paris Bistro (May) |
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| I really don't think this needs a caption! May in Paris with parents |
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| The Louvre with parents in May |
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| Nearly 25-year dream come true to finally see this beautiful Canova sculpture of Cupid and Psyche in the Louvre (May) |
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| Burg (Castle) Eltz in Germany (May) |
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| Spending time with brand new niece in Indiana in May |
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| Rafting on the Green River during July trip with our LDS ward youth to Flaming Gorge |
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| Summit of Ben Lomond Peak in Utah with the Young Women from our LDS Stake (August) |
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| Work trip in my beloved DC in August |
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| Chillin' at the SCERA pool in Orem, UT with nephew in August |
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| Hiking in Banff (Alberta, Can.) in August |
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| Riding Remington (my sister's horse) in Calgary, AB, Can. (September) |
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| Freiberg, Ger. LDS Temple with parents in October |
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| With Dad at top of Frauenkirche overlooking Dresden, Ger. in October |
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| October day cruise on the Rhein River near Ruedesheim, Ger. |
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| Exploring Burg (Castle) Rheinstein in Germany (October) |
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| Another dream come true to see this statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen in Bremen, Ger. (October) |
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| Most huggable tree ever! Palmengarten in Frankfurt, Ger. in October. |
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| Fun with niece and nephews in Austin, TX in November |
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| December work meetings in Vegas with my friends from the office |
