Thursday, December 16, 2010

Our Annual Christmas Letter Updates

The Whites’ yearly update. With only 2 children left at home, you would think that things would start to calm down, but it seems that I/we are busier than ever.


Lillian is no longer at South Salem High School. The District did a big administration shuffle this year and I was moved from South where I have worked for the last 4 years to Sprague High School, which another 5 miles south of South. Although I was very sad to leave the staff and students that I had grown to love, I am truly enjoying working at Sprague. The staff and administration have been very welcoming and I am getting to know many of the students already. I look forward to going to work each day.

One highlight of this year for me was getting to help my sister celebrate her 50th birthday by walking over the Valsetz hill. My sister, dear friend Janet and I walked 14.5 miles up and over the same hill that we had driven over for 20+ years. Russ, Diana’s husband took us up and dropped us off at the Welcome to Valsetz sign site and off we went. He followed us in the van for 4+ hours. It was during hunting season and we did not want to get run over or shot. :0) It was a sunny 28 degrees when we left. Even though it was cold outside, our hearts were warm, spending time reminiscing with each other about the “Good Ole Days.” I think we are now going to make this a yearly tradition and look forward to others joining us. We will keep you up dated on Facebook.


Makayla and Collin Cordoza and Paisley (their dog) still live in Portland. Makayla is in her 3rd year or working at Good Samaritan hospital as an ICU nurse. She organized and played an integral part in helping her hospital earn the Beacon award. You can see a picture of her and the poster she designed on her facebook page. She has taken on several leadership roles through the nurses association.

Collin was just promoted to Bank Manager of a Wells Fargo branch on Hayden Island He has worked his way to the top very quickly. He is a great son-in-law and takes great care of my daughter. They both like to travel; they spent a couple weeks this last summer traveling all over the US. They are also planning some trips abroad this next year.

We got together at their house for dinner this last week. Makayla made and great meal, we had fun talking, playing games and eating as a whole family.

Paisley is my granddog he was a gift for Makayla last year for Christmas from Collin.


Jordan Reed is 22 now and also lives in Portland. He currently works as a chef for Lewis and Clark College. He continues to love the art of creating culinary master pieces. Jordan can create some of the most amazing tasting food out of anything that is in ones cupboard or refrigerator. One new adventure he has embarked on this year is teaming up with the owner of “The Watershed” warehouse, just a few blocks from his house. He organizes parties with an artistic venue. They include things like “Fire Spinning, Graffiti Night” and many others. He also remodeled one room into a coffee shop, other rooms house artists selling their wares. We were given a personal tour this last weekend. It is a huge place that has a lot of cultural old charm. This project definitely feeds his creative side.


Brennen is 18 and just graduated from South Salem High School. He currently is attending Chemeketa Community college on a full-ride Scholars Program. He is receiving 2 free years of college, based on his GPA. Although going to a community college and living at home is NOT his idea of a good time, he is practical and knows that for now it makes the most sense. I am proud of him; he is getting straight A’s and studying hard. He is currently interested in becoming a Dentist. He was able to work some this summer; 3 weeks at the Fair and 6 weeks for a moving company. He is getting his nose reconstructed on Dec. 9th. They will be rebuilding a collapsing bridge with cartilage from his ear. Please pray for complete healing.


Janessa is 16 and a junior at South. She is now on her own with no siblings or a mom that works at her school. I think she likes it that way. She continues to be a good student. She is working on straight A’s this semester. Her goal right now is to be a nurse like her sister. She is also looking to play volleyball in college. Her high school volleyball team came in 4th in the league. She was honored by being voted on by the league coaches as a 1st team all-star player. She was also voted by her teammates as the most valuable player as well as best offensive player of the year. She will start her 2nd year playing club volleyball for North Clackamas. We will be playing our 1st tournament in Arizona in January. Janessa also does track and was in the top 10 in the State for Long and Triple jump. She is also in the top 10 at South for the Triple, Long, and High jump. She tore her meniscus in her right knee during the triple jump; it was painful and affected her performances. She missed going to State in the Triple and Long by less than an inch. She finished the season, then was asked to go to Florida with a 16’s volleyball team in June, after which she went to 2 volleyball camps before having surgery on August 5th. They could not repair it, so she was able to heal and rehabilitate and back on the court a month later. She is considering looking for scholarships either in volleyball or track. Will wait and see what offers she gets this year.


Well that updates everyone on the basics of our last year. The most important message that I can share with you all is that God Loves You. He came to save us and is returning to take His own home to live for eternity with him soon. We pray that each of you know Christ as your personal Savior.


May God richly bless you and your family this Holiday Season.


Lillian and kids.

No comments:

Post a Comment