January 16, 2026
Shady Acres Farm
Dear Family and Friends,
It is way past time for our Yearly Update. I had told our Offspringin’s that I didn’t think I would write a letter this year. Their reaction? “Yeah, right. We’ll believe it when we see it!!!” (Yes, well . . .) I made some promises that I would write this, but after almost 40 years? Me thinks I’ll find another project. I have kept the letters and the accompanying pictures throughout the years, and this year, for Christmas (probably instead of writing my letter) I made a copy of the book for each of our children. It is almost a history book of their lives, and I had so much fun copying the pictures and letters and reproducing the book exactly as I’ve kept it all these years. Daniel helped me slide the letters into protectors, and it was almost an emotional experience for both of us to hand the books out as Christmas gifts and seeing the Offspringin’s leaf through the pages of the years of their lives. There are so many things I didn’t get done over the years, but this is one thing that got done, and I am so grateful that I did.
I looked back through the Gratitude Journal that I’ve faithfully kept over this last year to see what might be worth remembering and there certainly was a lot of “stuff” happening all year. There were happy times as well as hard things, times when gratitude came easy, times when the markings were truly a “sacrifice of praise.” Some of the things that were most consistently noted were written on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. “Praise for our church family!” “For our church family’s love and support.” And this one, “Our church family, united in our joys and sorrows, but still a motley crew!” Also, often on Wednesday evening, “Our Small Group, gathering in.” and this, “Our small group, the best group of humans ever!” Our church has had some hard things happen this year. (I expect that most churches have!) but a quote from Ann Voskamp’s The Broken Way Day Brightener caught my eye and my heart one morning. “When the church isn’t for the suffering and broken, then the church isn’t for Christ. Because Jesus, with His pierced side, is always on the side of the broken.” It was no misnomer when Jesus said that He would send “The Comforter,” and it has been needed rather desperately over the course of this year..
On January 18th of the year, Daniel’s younger sister, Ruth Zehr, passed unexpectedly. Ruthie was a woman whose steadfast faith had withstood forty years of Rheumatoid Arthritis with it accompanying pain and restricted mobility. She managed her household well despite the limitations and raised a family that is outstanding. She was next to Daniel in age, and he protected her when it was just the two of them left at home, and although it is difficult to really grasp that she is no longer here, she is no long suffering, no longer restricted to her chair. Her Faith has become Sight, and we do not grieve as those who have no hope, but she is missed.
We literally have spent the last year trying to find help for the pain that has been a part of Daniel’s life since February of 2024. In reviewing last year’s letter, it was startling to realize that he was dealing with so much pain already then and we were hopeful that the new year would bring some resolution. It did, in fact. In March he had a Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression with results that were immediate and relieving. He stepped from the wheelchair into the car where I was waiting and his smile was from ear to ear. The nerve pain was immediately alleviated. It was such a great reprieve, and it lasted until mid-August when the nerve pain reared its ugly head again with a vengeance. It was another couple of months of waiting, getting first one pre-requisite done, waiting on insurance clearance, and getting on the doctor’s busy schedule, but on December 11th, the surgery was completed and now, these weeks out, he is doing quite a bit better than anticipated. It’s such a relief to hear him say that the pain is gone! The nerve pain was truly like none other. It was so difficult for me to awaken in the night and hear my husband quietly weeping with unrelenting, blinding pain, and know that there was nothing I could do to help. We tried just about everything, but to no avail. He still has a long road ahead for recovery, but he does what he is able to do, with careful deference to the instructions given. We are indebted to our family and many friends who prayed for us and offered support in many different ways. We would be a sorry mess without you.
All of our adult children are living where they lived in last year’s Christmas letter. Christina and Jesse, as well as Deborah are still here in Milford, Delaware. Jesse & Christina and Charis are in the Big Bontrager House on Shawnee Road. Deborah and Flori are in Ambleside Cottage across the woods from us. Raph and Regina with Liam, Frankie and Ellie are in Canton, Ohio. Lem & Jessica and Stella are in Washington, DC as are Rachel & Rob. Not only are they living where they lived last year, each of them also still has the same jobs that they had last year. Have they been bored with the “same old, same old?” It really wouldn’t seem so. However, if there is Christmas letter in 2026, I suspect there will be some significant changes on a couple of fronts.
Our grandchildren are growing up so fast. The youngest two are now eight. The family was home for “Christmas after Christmas,” (January 1-4) and we shared some special times together, reminiscing about childhood memories, playing games and eating (of course). Because of Daniel’s surgery, there was no Christmas Village this year, and some of our usual traditions were upended, “But we are still a family. We will always be a family . . . “ And this, the Grandpa and Grammy in the farm house at Shady Acres, hold closely to their hearts.
There have been many other things that Daniel and I continue to be involved in. We are emotionally and financially and spiritually involved in an immigration saga that seems to go on and on. We are praying for a resolution, and soon, but who can really predict what will happen, even when things are done legally? It’s been a great exercise in faith for us, as well as a constant reminder that we cannot fix everything. Early in the year, we decided to be involved with a local group, Milford Advocacy for the Homeless, and between our family and some extended family and a few dedicated women in our church, we have provided 3 gallons of soup (or some sort of dinner) every 1st, 3rd, and 5th (if there is one) Monday nights of the months. It has been a grounding activity for me that has provided meaning, a sense of community, as well as an opportunity to make new friends. I’ve been the recipient of so much grace as well as blessing, and I am grateful.
It was a delight to receive cards and pictures from so many of you this season. Thank you so much. There is space in our kitchen for the photos and they do stay up an inordinate amount of time (like until Summer?). It isn’t just for us, either, as there are people who pass through the doorway where they are posted and it is heartwarming to see how many stop and peruse and ask questions. “How do you know these people?” “Who in the world is this family?” “Hey, there’s so and so! I haven’t seen them in a long time!” It’s very gratifying and fun.
Our family picture is from this summer when we were together. If you don’t know who is who, Back row is (left to right) Rob, Rachel, Regina, Raphael, Charis, Jesse, Christina, Jessica, and Lemuel. In front of Jessica and Lem are Flori and Deborah. Front row is Liam, Ellie, Mary Ann, Daniel, Stella and Frankie.
And that is going to do it for this time around. Thank you again for your friendship, support, prayers and love. We are so aware that these (especially the prayers) are the best gifts! May God bless us, every one!
In His Love,
Daniel & Mary Ann
Delaware Grammy 