Happy belated New Year!

Happy New Year, even though we are already 1/12 done with it. I (Jesse) was able to spend the holidays back home in Indiana. I arrived in Hoosierland on Christmas Eve and spent a nice evening out a Old Clifty for a candlelight service with my family and sister-in-law's family. It always feels like you're in the 1800's when you step into that rustic cabin church. It is always plenty warm there too! The timing was such that I saw a lot of family in the Veedersburg area due to both of my grandmas being in the hospital They are doing better now. Hospitals aren't usually a fun place to spend family time, but the fact that both of my grandpas are real characters made it memorable in good ways nonetheless. I was also able to spend quality time with quality friends. These guys are the type that you can go years without seeing them then see them and its like we don't miss a beat. From Nick's to poker at Zach's the good times were rolling. Things that I really appreciate:
The concern of both my grandpas for their ailing wives; listening to Matt, John, and Jarrod talk about the adventure of being fathers; getting to see Brian and Brooke's new addition, Ashland; Bryan Myers' stories and laughter; Aaron's smile and exuberance; Zack Bent's insights; Kevin Moron's personality (is there a nicer guy in the world?); Adam saying, "Take care, buddy."; talking to Zach and Julia late into the night about the future and baby names; seeing Jason Radar settled in Bloofield; seeing the light in Big Kenny's eyes as he enthusiastically showed me around the new Tulip Church building; hiking with my dad back behind Pedro's Lake; my mom's cooking; having great talks with both of my parents; the list goes on and on because of all the great people in my life. Of course the most important person in my life, Tracy, was not able to make the trip. She was on-call that week at the Chinle hospital.
I flew back on New Year's Eve to find Albuquerque under 14 inches of snow. I made it to Tsaile to participate in the New Year's Eve game night and celebration at Tsaile Community Church. It was definitely a different scene than a year before when Tracy and I were ushering in the new year at Times Square. Since then it has been busy, snowy, and cold. We just received 12 inces of snow in Tsaile yesterday. We are taking advantage of the cold and snow by going snowshoeing in the mountains and ice climbing in the canyons. Winter is a fun and exciting time here on the Rez, but I do yearn for spring and a new baseball season. The Lukachuakai Junior High Eagles' baseball team will be going for their fifth straight championship season this year! We hope that you are all having great new year full of purpose and satisfaction. We'll try to be more consistent with the blogs---a resolution.