Dear Friends,
Yep! It’s Christmas letter writing time again. When I wrote this letter last I was still in my 30’s, but I don’t want to talk about that, so let’s skip straight to updating you on the various members of the Hambrick family. #BahHumBug
Lawson is in 7th grade and now officially taller than Sallie. His braces will come off this month, so next year you may see shining perfectly aligned teeth in his Christmas card smile. He played his first season of middle school football for Leesville Road Middle School. LRMS had a perfect 7-0 record. Even as a 7th grader Lawson got varsity snaps while showing great improvement in his strength and awareness of offensive-defensive concepts. Most impressively, he studied hard and was the consummate student-athlete throughout the entire season.
Marshall is in 5th grade and ran the Outer Banks Southern Fried half marathon in November; finishing 13.1 miles in 2 hours 43 minutes; first place in the 10 and under age bracket (more than 9 minutes faster than Brad). He also played his first season of 12u baseball; competing against kids up to 18 inches and 200 pounds heavier than him. He more than held his own as he was a leader on the pitching staff for the North Raleigh Tsunami. Not to be outdone by his brother, Marshall made AIG for math to keep up with Lawson’s scholastic endeavors.
Sallie is still “the best Mama ever” (13 years running). She manages the ever hectic schedule of Hambrick Family, Inc. LTD with excellence. She stays involved at the boys’ school and is heir-apparent to the LMRS football team mom (pray for Coach Holochak if the boys don’t hold their blocks and she feels the need to get them up to snuff). All she really wants for Christmas is for Brad to finish his doctorate by this time next year. But I don’t want to talk about that either, moving on…
Brad has enjoyed being coach for the boys’ ball teams and survived the half marathon. His site bradhambrick.com got a new look (check it out; he wants higher click rates for Christmas). He also worked with Southeastern to revamp their biblical counseling certificate program that will be uniquely designed to help local churches launch lay counseling ministries built around marriage/pre-marital mentoring and peer support-recovery groups (bradhambrick.com/certificate).
Over the next year we would appreciate your prayers that we will (1) fully enjoy this sweet season when our boys are young and lay a good foundation for their future, (2) prioritize marriage and family during a very busy season of life and ministry, and (3) grow in our trust in God’s character and effectiveness at sharing His hope with others.
We want to thank you for your friendship and the unique role you have played in the life of our family. Our prayer is that this Christmas you will experience the power, peace, and joy of Immanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23) – and have the opportunity to multiply that hope by sharing it with others.
Merry Christmas!
The Hambrick Family