2006
LOST!
When: Christmas week 2005
Where: Rio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
What: Missing: Benjamin
David Aldrich, Age 9
We
had just entered the hotel when three brothers headed off to the
right and their parents turned left... A few minutes later we called
the room. Philip and Tim were there and had assumed Ben was with us. We
had believed Ben had gone with them. Where was Ben?
With
increasing anxiety we immediately contacted hotel security and the
search began... Minutes seemed like hours... Earlier in the week we
had conducted a frustrating futile search for Jon's trip planner. (An
engineer without his itinerary is like a compass without a
needle...) I contrasted that loss with this one which was ever so
much worse...
Greetings
dear family and friends. We hope this Christmas season finds you
wrapped in love, joy, and peace. Looking forward to hearing from
you.
Here's our 2006
Update:
Jon's
business VideoComm Technologies (Keepsake Video/AVC Audio Visual
Center) has completed its second year in the 'real' office and twenty
five years of operation. Quinton, Drew, Wyndi, Jason, and Eric
continue providing excellent audio-video production and rentals. We
thank God for His provision.
We
are renovating on the former office (upstairs at our house) after
finally deciding to turn it into our 'master suite.' It's a
work-in-progress but we love the changes so far. Meanwhile, Aaron
will soon move 'back home' to our former downstairs bedroom when the
lease is up at his apartment this month. He continues doing well and
plans to pursue college full time, save money and keep working. (We
hope having 'five men' in the house again will be workable for this
season.)
Speaking
of moving... In April-- just in time for Easter-- Rachel, Kayla and
Kara relocated here from Chicago. They live right next door and are
so much fun to have close by after ten years afar. Rachel works for
Waste Management at the Marathon Refinery in Texas City three days a
week and is a full time college student working hard to finish her
business degree. Before coming here the girls enjoyed a
mini-vacation with Aunt Sandy at Grand Bear Lodge in Starved Rock, IL
and Grandma Sharon spent part of her spring break in March with them
as they prepared to move.
Meanwhile,
Jon took Ben and Tim for spring break to Washington, DC. He had
taken Aaron and Philip when they were fifth graders and carried on
the tradition with Ben, currently in fifth grade and Tim, a seventh
grader. Ben is ten and enjoys after school art class, is a wonderful
student, and loves playing with his friends. Tim belongs to the
Leadership Development program at Creekside Intermediate. The group
marched in the Veterans' Day Parade in downtown Houston this year. He
is one of the tallest in the class and looked so handsome and
grown-up in his uniform and recently acquired glasses.
Philip,
17, is a junior at Clear Creek High School. He excels in Physics,
English, and Math, belongs to a local basketball league, and has had
his first two jobs this year. First he worked for Little Caesar's
Pizza Restaurant at the front of our subdivision and now works long
and late hours at “Toys-R-Us.” He would love to get
a
car but until that happens we 'juggle' vehicles ...
Kayla,
nine, is in fourth grade and goes to school with Uncle Ben where her
mommy went years ago. She is a great student, is in the school choir
and the LEGO League. She loves American Girl dolls, especially
Molly. Kara (aka “I-love-you-more!) has the most friendly
outgoing personality, is so articulate, and a delightful
four-year-old. She attends a very nice day school near Papa Jon's
office. He makes the majority of drop-offs and pick-ups for her and
loves his 'grandpa time.' The girls went back to Illinois for a
couple of weeks this summer to spend time with their dad.
Jon's
brother Don came to visit us in Texas this year and also went to
sister Connie's in Austin. Jon and Tim went to Iowa in June for
nephew John's wedding. Sharon spent her summer teaching kindergarten
summer school and recovering from hernia surgery. She continues
teaching Kindergarten at Northside in Texas City and singing in the
Grace choir.
In
the early morning hustle to get off to work today my keys were
missing.... Back tracking, the lost was found in yesterday's jacket
pocket... and that reminds me...
What
had become of Ben? Did security cameras spot him? Was he lost and
scared?? Abducted??? While mom manned her prayer post, an officer
took Jon up to the room to begin the search from there...
Sometimes
you don't fully appreciate what you had until it's lost... but if you
seek, you will find that what you really long for is found wrapped in
love, joy and peace in a manger in Bethlehem-- the very One who came
to seek and to save that which was lost ...
So,
what have you lost?
Lost
your way? “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and light
to my
path.” Psalm 119:105
Lost
hope? “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
firm and
secure.” Hebrews 6:19
Lost
focus? “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author
and
perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2
Lost
your health? “By His wounds you have been
healed.” 1
Peter 2:24
Lost
sleep? “Come to Me, all ye who...are heavy laden
and I will
give you rest.” Matt.11:28
Lost
a friend? “There is a Friend who sticks closer than
a
brother.” Proverbs 18:24
Whatever
our loss—even such as the unexpected death of our friend
Woody
in May-- we have found a merciful Savior, a great Physician, a
Wonderful Counselor, an amazing Hope. Our destiny, our eternity,
begins with Christmas—Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Ben,
who had his room key all along, was found... in the room... under the
sink... waiting for his lost family.... He knew they would be looking
for him....
We
plan to return to Las Vegas this Christmas with Ben and Kayla this
time. We'll celebrate Christmas Eve at Central Christian Church
followed by dinner at Lawry's with carolers singing table side. Then
we'll leave for a surprise destination. Sequoias in the snow? Elephant
seals on the California beach? Dolphins smiling as they
fulfill their “porpoise-driven life” riding the
waves at
Channel Islands National Park? Photos to follow at
www.jonaldrich.com.
Lost?
Follow the Star!
In
Jesus you will find forgiveness, love, joy and peace.
Jon,
Sharon, Rachel, Aaron, Philip, Tim, Ben, Kayla, and Kara
(I-love-you-more!)
Click these links for the original images: Christmas 2006-Front Christmas 2006-Back
303
Creek Bend League City, TX 77573
281-554-6365
jon@vtigroup.net sharon@vtigroup.net
