Christmas Letter

Our Murphy family wants to wish you a merry and meaningful Christmas this year. We never have enough time to share with friends, and hope you are well this holiday season. These past twelve months have proved to be both fun and hard, fun and educational, and certainly more busy than we would like. Here’s a family update:

Matthew turned ten and attends 4th grade Veritas classes, and as well as the Living Science 5th grade class. He loves reading, Legos, and Playmobile. We collect piles of his intricate drawings. He was one of the youngest in his first year of kid-pitch baseball, and proved he could hit the older pitchers. He even pitched, recording a strikeout. But Matthew would much rather play in our woods and creek, direct videos with the neighbor kids, or write songs with classmates.

Twelve year-old Anna now practices ballet three days a week, and her class performed in Eastside Baptist’s Christmas Pageant. This fall she started pointe. She’s in 6th grade at Veritas and Living Science. In March Dave chaperoned her class Zoo Overnight Trip - where it snowed! Anna has enjoyed getting involved in the youth group at nearby East Cobb Presbyterian. Along with her brothers, we’re thankful she still likes to play like a child, as opposed to adopting an older teen’s mores.

Will turned 15 and is learning to drive. As a 14 year-old freshman he was his High School Varsity’s Opening Day Starting Pitcher. He played most every inning of over 70 games, for two teams…batting over .500 and making many amazing plays in the field. He played in 4 states, and homered in three. As a 10th grade Servant Leader at Living Science, he helps teach the younger classes. He also teaches a kindergarten class at North Point, took up basketball, enjoyed making videos, and swimming, exploring, and playing along the banks of the Chattahoochee with friends.

Ceil had another amazing year of keeping the family running on task. She was able to pull it off with less help from Dave, who was tied up in a more demanding position at work. Ceil found time to keep up with friends, exercise, cook, sew, read, and other things she loves. Dave’s long hours were certainly a cause of frustration. There was less time with the family, and for doing many personal pursuits, but it was a year learning hard life lessons Dave needs to internalize.

On April 5th Dave and Will woke up early and took a long wet drive to Huntsville for a doubleheader. The games were delayed and cold, but Will played well, hitting his first High School home run. They played til dark, and it was 2 am by the time we got home. Exhausted, we missed church that morning. Around 11 am the phone rang. Anna was calling, in tears…someone had turned in front of Ceil, and the van was totaled. Both were shaken, but fine. So we got a new vehicle this year! Later in the year a downstairs plumbing problem led to much-needed new hardwood floors.

In June we took a rare family beach vacation to relaxing, beautiful Destin, thanks to generous friends. A month later we joined the Millers for another Myrtle Beach vacation. In the fall Will and Dave got to more Tech and Clemson football games than usual, and both enjoyed the October Living Science Senior Retreat to Florida’s St. George’s Island. Ceil’s November birthday was made more special by a surprise visit from a far-away friend.

We are most thankful for God’s rich blessings and provision this year, and ask that you join us in celebrating Christ’s birth. Merry Christmas!