Bret - finishing up 2017

2017 was a great year for me. So many blessings and experiences. Through the end of the year I was able to travel to China for work (again) but this time found time to go to Hong Kong. It was great to see our old apartment and a few old friends there. Tevia got to go to India. We took Jarek on a wonderful trip to the UK (London and Dover) and France (Paris). Jarek recently was set apart as a missionary and we were able to go to the temple with him last month. Malik continues to spend most of his time on his music and does training with a professor at ASU. Enok continues to attend the GLC (Gifted Learning Center) and do well in school. He started tennis and basketball in 2017 which was so fun. He also learned how to snowboard, which he loved.

To close out the year I thought I'd share my two favorite quotes from media this year.

1. The most important step a man can take is the NEXT step - Dalinar Kholin from the book Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson. I love this idea that the first step is not the most important step, but rather your next step. We can all change at any point in our lives. It is that change in direction (heart) that makes us who we are.

2. The best teacher, failure is - Yoda, from the movie The Last Jedi. Another great quote to show that failure is part of life and is a great way for us to learn. We shouldn't be afraid to fail, nor ashamed when we do.

2017 was a great year for the Wall's

Say good buy to 2017 but not before wishing it a fond fair well. I don't think there has ever been a fuller year in the lives of the Wall's. Mom and Dad renovate Gables, sell it, buy Rimrock and rent it, then rent Dear Valley and go on a mission to Ohio. God was in the details there and we are so grateful as we have spent quality time with Karen's good mother in the last years of her life. Plus we are learning so many things on our mission. Bret and Tevia, where does one start? Their year has been family focused and what a job they have done. So many adventures so many accomplishments. Jarek has been all over the planet but more importantly he completed his eagle scout, received an insane score on his ACT, has full honors at BYU, and is now being set apart to serve a full time mission. As the oldest Grandchild, mom and I could not be more proud and pleased. We wanted him to set a good example for the new generation as Bret did for the old, but now we are worried that the bar was set so high that all the others may just give up in despair. Congratulations Jarek. (Tevia went to India, are you kidding me?) Jacob and Carey, have a new beautiful home, Alex and Nicole as permanent Visitors, multiple trips to Disneyland and Hawaii and other places always benefiting others by bringing them along to share and enjoy. And the first to ever catch a blue marlin and that awesome black sword thing! Jimmy and Kathy also have a new beautiful home that will serve their family in the years to come. But better yet they brought us Zavior. Our miracle from God. The ripples from this miracle will flow out to all the members of our family for eons of time to come. We are so grateful for this blessing. Finally Tommy and Holly. Or should I say Dr. Wall. Tom finished school.....finally! Landed a spectacular job with Sandia National Labs, and also obtained a beautiful new home to serve his family's needs. Congratulations to Holly's special gift next spring. I think the 6 hour drive to NM is going to become a very familiar one. Thanks to Holly also for living in Provo for soooooooooo long to make it all possible. We love you Holly and Tom. We are grateful to God for your 2017. I know there are many more items but I am out of time. Mom and I just wanted to say that we love all of you and are very grateful for each of you and who you are and what you have become and are becoming. We don't tell any one in Ohio about any of you because we would be so embarrassed by your greatness. People here in Tiffin Ohio would simply not believe it. God has given our family so many many blessings and opportunities. We pray that you will all draw near to Him in your lives and seek to bring about His plans and purposes. We always pray for your best benefit. May God continue to bless you all. We love you.