Christmas Letter 2022

 

 Cradle song, come along,

See with angels' surprise

as the mystery unfolds

to longing eyes.

Dear friends and family,

As we approach Christmas and a New Years, we can see that 2022 has been a year of great change, wonder, and surprise for us.  And God has been faithful to us through it all!  We pray, Gentle Reader, that you, too, have seen the wonder of the mystery of God with us, Emmanuel, in this weary world.

Emma, Ada, Ben, Elsa, Dave, Chris, Tim, Elijah, Nikki, Jack
Eliana, Everett, Carys, Ezra, Shirley

By far the biggest challenge, change, and mystery for us this year involved Dave's mom Marilyn, and her final days of sojourn in this world.  In September of 2021, Marilyn went onto hospice here at home with a heart in failure and a series of TIAs and other strokes, with the promise of more in the future. It began almost a year of constant adjustment as her health and mental abilities declined, and we sought to allow her to die in her own bed as she wished to do.  With the help of a wonderful hospice nurse and aide,  and much grace from God, we weathered many minor and major strokes, and adjusted to each new situation.  It was a weary road, but the right road for us.  

Marilyn in June, 2022

On August 18th, Marilyn experienced a TIA and fell, breaking both her left hip and left shoulder.  What followed was 10 days of incredible pain for her if she had to move, and full-time intensive care-giving for us.  On August 28th, with us singing and praying and holding her hands, Marilyn entered the presence of her Savior, in her own bed as she wished.  And we completed a mission that began for us when Marilyn moved in with us 18 years before.  We gathered as a family to celebrate her life in October.  You will find her obituary below.  

5 of the 6 Finnegan siblings: Kethleen, Michelle (Terry was unable to join us), Jon, David, and Paul.

The Jon Finnegan representatives: Jess, Matt and Viktor; Rebecca and Jon; Nick

These cousins love each other: Emma and Ada

Tiny hands, born of man,

fashioned all that we see,

and they'll ransom us

nailed to a tree. 

Our year was also filled with the tiny hands of grandchildren during several wonderful family times.  Most happened in our home since we could not leave Marilyn, but we were also able to get help for some respite care and get away.  We enjoyed a trip to Arizona in January/February, celebrated Elijah's adoption long-distance in April while Ada was visiting here for her 10th birthday trip,  celebrated with Tim and Nikki here over the 4th of July, travelled to Silver City for one of Tim's bike races, and in early August, Dave and I had a lovely week's respite trip to southwest Colorado.  All were beautiful and joyous times of rejoicing in family and in God's good provision to us.

A winter hike and picnic outside of Tucson.

A trip to the arboretum with the Phoenix crew.

Our seven amazing blessings: Eliana, Ezra, Everett, Elijah, Ada, Carys, Emma.

Elijah is officially ours!

Ada in the outfit I made for her birthday.

Again, our seven blessings:  Carys, Ezra, Ada, Emma, Everett, Eliana, Elijah.

Tim, in serious biker mode.

A windy picnic near the finish line.

Fourth of July festivities with the Tucson Finns, the Browns, and the Hansons.

A picnic in Albuquerque near the museums.

Kayaking in Colorado

The falls in Ouray, CO.

With my beautiful friend Tina at her lovely home in Ouray.

Overlooking Molas Lake in CO.

One of several small alpine lakes we enjoyed north of Durango.

Come with the shepherds and ponder.

Come with the wisemen, adore.

Come with the mother, enfold the Lord of all

in humility here in a stall. 

  

After Maril;yn's memorial service, we finally celebrated Cousin's Camp VIII here in New Mexico.  It was a time of great joy and fun family togetherness!

Hiking at Pecos National Historic Site

Cousin Camp Crafts

At Bandelier

This year's campers: Everett, Ada, Carys, Ezra, and Emma.

And then, feeling the need to get away and both rest and relax, Dave and I went on a 15-day river cruise in Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands from the end of October to the middle of November.  It ended up being both more and less rest than we had planned on,  since Chris got co-vid, and we two were quarrantined to our tiny cabin for 5 days of the cruise.  We still managed to have a wonderful time.  And the ship's kitchen delivered the best meals during our convalescence!

At Melk Abby in Bavaria.

Sailing on the Rhine.

Koln (Cologne), Germany

At Kinderdijk in the Netherlands

Cradle song, come along,

see with eyes born again

Little baby

Salvation of men.

So as we end 2022, we are grateful, and waiting.  Grateful for a race well run, grateful for dear family and friends, adventures and comfort in sorrow.  And waiting on the Lord for His salvation, for His plan for the next season in our lives, and for His healing from injuries old and new.  We appreciate your prayers as we look with eyes born again at His lovely care for us through a bigand busy year.  And we pray for your eyes, too, Gentle Reader. May you see Him in His glory, serve Him fully, and rejoice in His salvation!

With much love, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Chris and Dave

In front of St. Stephen's in Vienna.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Marilyn Annabelle (Webster) Finnegan was born on September 7, 1926, to Amelia (Zacharias) Webster and Jay Webster in Decatur, Illinois. Her father, a World War 1 veteran, died when Marilyn was just ten, and the family moved to Fort Thomas, Kentucky, where Marilyn met George Finnegan, her high school sweetheart and future husband. After George finished his service in World War 2, George and Marilyn married and brought six children into the world. In addition to caring for her family, Marilyn worked in a variety of capacities, spending many years as an executive assistant and as a church secretary. She finished her working career as an office manager at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Milford, Ohio. Marilyn delighted in serving others, caring for her family, and walking with God.

 

Marilyn came to White Rock, New Mexico, in 2004 after the loss of her husband of 56 years, to live with her son David and his family. For the next ten years, until her health made it necessary for her to slow down, she volunteered at Sombrillo Nursing Home and Chamisa School. Marilyn was an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast, and birdwatcher, who also enjoyed crocheting gifts for her friends and family. She remained an active and faithful member of Bryce Avenue Presbyterian Church until she died quietly at home on August 28, 2022, with her family singing her into the arms of Christ. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and siblings and her husband George. She is survived by her six children and their spouses: Kathleen Szymanski (Kirk) of Filer, ID; Michelle Fouche (Walter) of Fairfield, OH; Terry Finnegan (June) of Pleasant View, TN; Jon Finnegan (Rebecca) of Russell, KS; David Finnegan (Christine) of White Rock, NM; and Paul Finnegan (June) of Carlisle, OH; and by 13 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great children. 

 

A memorial service for Marilyn will be held at Bryce Avenue Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 11 AM. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Marilyn’s favorite charities: Hope Pregnancy Center (https://www.hpcla.org/donate), Prison Fellowship (https://www.prisonfellowship.org), or the Deacon’s Fund at Bryce Avenue Presbyterian Church (e-mail: info@brycepresbyterian.org).