Our end of year letter 2018

Two days before it is Christmas day. Tomorrow night, our family will be here to exchange gifts and a traditional dinner together. I am sure many thousand families will be doing the same. Our family is no different than other families. We have had our ups and downs, good times and bad, heart breaks and joys. This is my fond time of the year. No only being with my family, but celebrating the birth of Jesus. This may surprise some of my family and friends, but I am a very religious man. I just don't preach it or push it on people, like it was to me growing up. I have believed in Jesus since age 12, and maybe sooner. Of course, I have not been a perfect Christian, as I should be. I have sinned many times, and I have asked for forgiveness many times too. Ok, this is not about MY religion or how I believe, it is about Christmas and why it is what it is. It is a celebration. It is not about gifts, which that has become the key around Christmas. It is not about lights or decorations. It is rejoicing the birth of Christ. This varies from one religion to another. In our recent visit to a Muslim country, Egypt, we learned even they rejoice in the Virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus. It is even in their Coran. They even map the Holy family's trip to his birth place. Also, that 'Allah' means "love", not their God's name. "Allah be with you" means 'Let love be with you'. Surprised? I was. I have gone into Mosics and prayed along with Muslims, and for the same things...peace and love and rejoicing God, no matter what you may call him, or her. I believe ALL religions praise a God that we will find (someday) that is is the same God, by a different name. So, Christmas is NOT just for Christians, but for everyone. It may not be celebrated on December 25th, BUT, it should be celebrated EVERYDAY. Christmas, or whatever your choice of religion is, should be year-round. Everyone has or believes in creation, I just don't believe it came from the BIG BANG. Something created that big bang. Something started everything, it did not just happen. So the bottom line is celebrate your God, your family, life, love thy neighbor not matter what kind of creep they may be, be nice and forgiving, and lastly... MERRY CHRISTMAS. I love you all. Harrold and Nancy

A trip of a lifetime - Egypt and the Nile River

Before we left for South America back in January, I saw another trip we had wanted to do for years... Egypt. We called our friends in Oregon (which were also going to South America with us) and asked them if they' re interested and they said "SURE!" We left on the day before Thanksgiving and flew into London, and then to Cairo. Long flights. Arrived at our hotel at 2:30 AM. The Marriott Cairo was where we'd be staying for 2 nights. It was an old palace years ago. Over the top does not describe it. The gardens, a massive pool, luxurious dining and someone to wait on you hand and foot.

From our 7th floor balcony, we could see the Nile and the beautiful gardens. Only a hour or two away in Gaza, was the pyramids and the sphinx. We had seen them in books and on TV but that did not do them justice. So big, so massive and so old. Kids crowded around our group wanting to take 'selfies' with us, Americans, being asked our names and touching us with big smiles on the faces. So friendly and curious.

But that friendliness would continue the entire trip. Ancient temple after temple we would visit in several towns. The Pharaohs were all about themselves.From Cairo to Gaza, south to Aswan by plane and there we boarded our ship for a five day cruise. Only 16 people in our group on a beautiful ship styled like the one used in Cleopatra's days.

Several spots at night to anchor and mini tours of villages or tombs and temples. We visited a school where the kids went nuts over seeing us, ate lunch in a village with their elders, we had dinner with an Egyptian family and so much more.

We spent one night in a Eco-lodge (very minimal) and the next couple night in another old palace where Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie stayed many time. We crossed the Nile River from one side to the other to reach sights by a small boat ferry. My mind is filled with all the things we did and saw, but no way I can post all of my 500+ photos and videos, plus what Nancy shot. Egypt is a VERY old country with a deep history of take-overs, cruel foreign governments raping and controlling it. Now Egypt is a growing country with problems, like most countries, that is a center of the middle east culture but does NOT have a problem with America. They literally love us, and ALL religions. In one city block, we saw a Jewish church, next to Muslim, Catholic, and Coptic churches. Their all get along and help each others rebuild aging buildings. They respect each other, caring and no sign of ethic problems. So polite to everyone. The Nile River is the life-blood of Egypt and surrounding countries. Egypt does not tolerate violence of any kind. We ALWAYS felt safe walking the streets at nights. But we were escorts daily but an armed Police officer, just in case. We loved Egypt, but especially the people.