Christmas 2007

Dear family and friends,

Well, here I am again – writing another Christmas letter. As usual, it is hard to determine what I should include.

I’m still looking for a career-type job. I have been doing a couple of research positions since the grant ended a year ago. One of those research positions ends this month; the other will continue a while longer. And, I have been privileged to teach US History this semester at Dallas Baptist University. Working with undergraduates has been a little challenging, since I am used to working with graduate students, so I hope I did not expect too much from them.

Travel has been light this year. I went to Colorado Springs for a convention and did a few “touristy” things while I was there (Pikes Peak, rafting trip, etc.), but that was about it. I found a few lovely places around the DFW area to take pictures, so I am still involved in that hobby. (By the way: you can see many of my photos on my Flickr account. Check my Web site <www.txmike.com> for the link.)

The weather has been as strange as usual – sounds contradictory, but for Texas it is not. I was at mother’s for Thanksgiving and we had snow! Not just a few flakes, but a real nice snowfall. Here it is a few weeks later and I have the windows open at my house because it is 84 degrees today. (But, a cold rain is expected this weekend!)

The choir at my church will be doing “Lesson and Carols” for our Christmas program this year. Created for the Anglican Church about one hundred years ago, the program includes nine “lessons” (or readings) on creation through the birth of Christ with carols and anthems interspersed. I think it will be a wonderful way to focus on the meaning of Christmas.

I pray that you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Until next year (if not sooner),