Dear Friends and Family,

As we gather to celebrate the warmth and joy of the Christmas season, we want to share with you some of the highlights and blessings that have shaped our lives over the past year.

Vicki’s Health Journey:
A significant and joyous update is Vicki’s improved health. We are thrilled to share that her leg has healed completely, marking a milestone in her journey towards wellness. Your thoughts and prayers have been a source of strength, and we are grateful for the support that has surrounded us.

Harmonizing in Song:
One of the most exciting chapters of this year has been our joint venture into the world of choral music. Both Vicki and I are now members of the John’s Creek Community Chorale. Singing together has been a fulfilling experience, and we’ve had the pleasure of participating in several concerts.

As you probably know, singing really warms the soul, and although we frequently groan as we head to rehearsals, because we’re just so tired from the activities of the day, we are also thankful for the opportunity to sing, and also, to make new friends in our community. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in the months ahead. We’ll be singing with the John’s Creek Symphony, which should be an exciting experience!

Celebrating Life and Remembering Uncle Victor:
While the year brought joy, it also marked a poignant moment with the passing of my Uncle Victor. I was grateful to attend his Celebration of Life service in California, back in July. Among my father’s ten siblings, Uncle Victor was the youngest. He was an incredibly sweet and kind man, very generous in every way. His memory lives on in our hearts, a reminder of the preciousness of family.

A New Pond:
In our pursuit of creating a nurturing environment for our finned friends, we replaced our original fish pond with a new and improved version. The safety and health of our fish have become an important priority for me, although it probably seems a bit silly. But that’s ok – feel free to smile and laugh! It was a ton of work, but the transformation has been remarkable.

The fish are obviously very happy now, safe in their new home, and it’s been a joy to see and watch them live their lives in a much more free and relaxed manner than before. It gives me joy to watch them, and a bit of relief from the everyday stressors of life.

Our Church:
Our commitment to our church family continues. From serving in choir and worship to contributing to city/community outreach, there has perhaps been little time for rest and relaxation. But our involvement is important to us and a reflection of our love for both our church and Savior. We are most grateful for the opportunities that God provides.

Navigating Economic Challenges:
On the economic front, this year brought its share of challenges. To navigate through, I’ve been exploring opportunities to take on additional piano students, and Vicki has been searching for additional graphic design related work. To this end, I’ve started advertising on Facebook in a few local community groups. I’ve also started updating my website more frequently, to keep it more current and more prevalent in search engine results. No results have been evident as of yet, but hopefully soon. Your continued support and prayers are deeply appreciated during this time.

God’s Abundant Blessings:
Through the highs and lows, one constant remains — God’s rich blessings upon our family. We are continually grateful for the love and support that emanates from our cherished circle of friends and family.

As we approach the holiday season, we extend our warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May your homes be filled with love, laughter, and the spirit of togetherness. And if we haven’t seen you in a while, I sincerely hope and plan that we might change that this year. It would be so great to catch-up with you. Meanwhile, if there’s anything I can do for you, prayers or otherwise, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know.

Warmest Regards,

Mark & Vicki Salcedo