MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019!

View from our back porch following the Thanksgiving snowfall

‘Tis the beginning of December and here we are, fire in the woodstove making our new home very cozy as we gaze out huge windows at the snowy peaks on both sides. To say it has been a wild year would be a huge understatement!

Mom with Luke and Rick
- August

In the last half of 2018, we purchased a five acre parcel ten miles NE of Baker City, had a well dug, and lined up our septic permits. As we began thinking of house designs, we received word that Mom R’s health had taken a dramatic downturn. Trips to Albuquerque ensued, providing support, finding an assisted living arrangement, and cleaning out her apartment of nearly ten years. Cancer was diagnosed, but she celebrated her 89^th birthday in August and currently rests comfortably in hospice care.

View from road as we broke ground in April

Meanwhile, we came up with a house design and ground was broken April 17. Building a home wasn’t on our ‘to do’ list in life. Our Habitat for Humanity stints had given us some idea of what to expect, and where we might participate. But, oh my! We had no idea of the number of decisions that had to be made during the process! Luckily, we had known our contractor since he was an apprentice. He patiently guided us through the process and built us a wonderful home. Add to that, we knew most of the crew through school and coaching. They were very kind and allowed the ‘old guy’ to hang around trying to help. We did the front rock work and the lap siding on the exterior walls, caulked, and painted. We enjoyed the help of Habitat friends three times during the summer as well! We also had a shop built at the same time, so that additionally involved design and decisions along with installing all the insulation in it. And finally? We received a certificate of

Finished home October 2019

occupancy on October 11! With incredible help from friends, 24 years worth of ‘stuff’ was moved, tossed, or given away! Four trips with a big U-haul plus countless pickup loads got us out of the old house in time to clean and close on it. We were thrilled to sell it to young friends. After a month of emptying boxes we actually parked both the car and truck in the garage right before the Thanksgiving storm dropped 8-10” of snow! Unpacking, decorating, and learning all the ins and outs of our new home will continue through the winter, but we are very happy…..and broke! 

Luke at Leavenworth WA
Octoberfest!

Jed helped with siding in July!

Jed was home for turkey and will return at Christmas. He is in his fifth year of teaching at Willamette University in Salem, OR. As is the case with most small colleges, enrollment has dropped and positions along with it. He has made himself more valuable by not only teaching physics, but also statistics for the math department and Intro to Python for the computer science department. Unfortunately, being a ‘jack of all departments’ doesn’t lead to a tenured position! But he is happy teaching there and playing volleyball all over town.

Luke is in his third year of leading the YAV (Young Adult Volunteer) program for the Presbytery of Santa Fe. He is located in the center of Albuquerque, enjoying all it has to offer, plus he hikes throughout the Southwest. He visits G’ma R regularly as well as Rick’s brother Randy and family. He has a cadre of close friends and seems to always have something going on. We look forward to seeing him at Christmas.

Anniversary night at a High Country
Lane party

Ginger continues teaching classes at the local art center along with church work. The latter has been a busy year of finding pulpit supply as we have been without a pastor since the first of May! (Hurray! Interim hired!) Rick is looking to get back on a hiking/snowshoeing schedule. We hope to return to our ‘volunteer traveling’ lifestyle after doing our own habitat this past year!

One highlight of the summer (while contractors were painting!) was the McLean Family gathering in Bandon, OR. We celebrated the 100^th year of both Mom and Dad, while interring Mom’s ashes in Grants Pass the day after the Fourth of July. Relatives from Southern California and New England were able to join us! The party also marked the transition of ownership of the Bandon home to Ginger’s niece, Kirsten. We are thrilled the home will stay ‘in the family’ so to speak!

Can you tell we had a tie dye party during the week???

We have a guest room with an incredible view if you are in the Northwest and can catch us at home!

While the world seems to spin in the negative around us, may we all focus on God’s Gift of Peace during this Christmas season and the year ahead. May we all work to be the change of tolerance and love witnessed in the life of the Christ child born in a humble manger.

Rick and Ginger

OUR NEW ADDRESS:

15844 High Country Lane

Baker City, OR 97814

NONE OF THIS CHANGED:

elkhornrandg@gmail.com

Rick cell: 503-560-3269

Ginger cell: 541-656-9622