One of my favorite TV specials to watch every year is Barbara Walter’s 10 most fascinating people of the year.  It’s so entertaining to see the year’s biggest events replayed through interviews with key players.  And while I feel certain that no one in my family will ever make that list (well, maybe Chandler has a shot), I thought my annual Christmas letter might be more fun through a similar lens.  Therefore I present to you:  The Sparks’ Family’s Top 10 most fascinating facts of the year – even if we are playing fast and loose with the word fascinating.

 

10.  Chuck now works as the Chief Operating Officer for a company called Strategic Government Resources, and will transition from Board President for the Epilepsy Foundation of Dallas/ Ft. Worth to the same position on the state board.

9.  I just had another surgery.  Wasn’t thrilled to be facing that again so soon, but grateful that it is not really cancer-related.  Maybe just cancer adjacent.

8.  Shelby had a minor heart surgery that did not work but is still as healthy as can be expected and ended up accepted into the drug trial we were pushing for last year.

7.  Allie is in her last year of middle school, singing in two school choirs, became a student council officer and made her volleyball club’s select team!

6.  Shelby graduated from high school and started the transition program at our sister school.   She also now participates in music and rec therapy.

5.  Chuck and I endured the process for becoming Shelby’s legal guardians and continue to work setting up other programs and processes for her now that she is 18.  Her adulthood is one learning curve after another in the school of life.

4.  The four of us took a trip to California in October and got Shelby to see the big mouse himself at Disneyland.  A good time was had by all.

3.  Chuck and Allie finally got to go on a life-changing mission trip to Honduras where they worked alongside Orphan Outreach with at risk children.  As a result of this and her service at church, Allie believes she wants to be a children’s minister some day.

2.  We proudly watched Chandler graduate from medical school and be commissioned as a Captain in the United States Air Force.  Then we, a tiny bit begrudgingly, watched him move his bride and our 4 grandchildren to O’Fallon, Illinois for his medical residency.  If you didn’t catch it, our Chandler is a doctor!

And the #1 most fascinating Sparks family fact of the year is…

We remain so grateful for you, our family and friends, and to our God and Savior Jesus Christ for the unbelievable gift of His grace.