Christmas Letter 2009

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to you! 2009 We hope you have had a memorable year! We have truly been given much. As a family, we were able to experience so much joy and do so many new things! Here’s what we did! Ronny: was promoted to an E-5 and has officially been in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years! He’s about to re-enlist for another six years and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to have joined the Coast Guard four years ago! When he’s not at work or home being a wonderful husband and father, he is the president of the Young Men in our Sunny Side Branch here in Houston. Though there are but few in attendance, the call to help these young men is a phenomenal one, but know that with the Lord by his side, he will be able to make a difference! Monika: was able to travel to Japan to reunite with her biological family in Japan after more than 23 years of being separated, while Ronny and the boys stayed home together for 12 days! It was an experience no words could ever describe! She also learned how to “Shop smarter, save more”with coupons! We have cut our grocery budget in half and have been able to save abundantly! She continues to take courses online at University of Phoenix and is two classes away from receiving her associates degree in Business. She was recently called to serve as the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society in our branch and is looking forward to learning from each of the sisters in attendance. Kai (3): is a chatter box! He understands and speaks both Japanese and English and is a sweetheart. He is always concerned with how everyone is and makes sure everyone around him is happy. He is very artistic and loves to paint and really has a keen sense for Music. He has found a new love for monsters, guns, bugs and bugs and more bugs. He loves little Jaiden and really enjoys having a brother. He was potty trained this year and is pretty proud of his super hero undies! Jaiden(2 in Dec): is a little stinker! We continue to follow up on his eyes and he continually wears contact lenses to help his vision, but you wouldn’t know he was one pound and see through when he was born, he’s a feisty little fire dart! There is nothing to stop this kid! He’s a strong, healthy, always hungry little hippo and we love him very much. He’s more into building things and really tries to figure out how things are made and how they function. He has been signing for the last year, also comprehends both Japanese and English and has recently begun to say a few words; baby, Mama, Dada, and ball. Family: We paid off our car loan! And...We moved! We were able to buy our first and brand new home! It took about three months to build, but here we are! We are loving being home owners have enjoyed our visitors so far! (come back!) Goals for 2010: We are hoping to furnish our home a bit more and have all of you come visit! Ronny wants to advance to E-6 and finally buy his dream aquarium! Monika aspires to finish writing her autobiography and continue going to school for her Bachelor’s. We also hope to be able to travel more and see more of our family this year. We love this season, for all of which it signifies for us, the Love of our Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that you are all watched over and can feel both His love for you and ours, as we think of each one of you this season and hope to receive updates of you too! With love, Ronny, Monika, Kai and Jaiden Sampert (sorry for the ‘email’this year, we have cut out stamp+ photo expenses!)