Christmas from the Apelts

This Christmas, I had the privilege of writing the Apelt family Christmas letter. I thought I would share.


Go Army, beat Navy, Bow-wow Bulldogs, Go Vols, O-H-I-O, and Merry Christmas.

We rang in 2012 the right way by surrounding ourselves with friends and family, laughter and good food and from there, 2012 only got better.

One of the first major events of the year was Jacob Benjamin Apelt's high school graduation. My little brother is growing up. He now attends Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama where he pretty much runs the school. He is a part of the freshman forum (a student government association for freshman), the freshman representative council, multiple intramural teams and he helped re-start the "Red Sea," which is the rowdy section during football games. One of his biggest dreams is to become Moses, the 'head rowdy' who happens to be in charge of parting the rowdy section..."The Red Sea." He is a Business Management major currently still indecisive on what exactly he wants to do.

Dad (Doug) normally is a man of routine, but that definitely was not the case this year. He has started a new job and the Apelts will be moving in the next month or so to Memphis! (The Apelts moving...big surprise, I know.) He went from making people hot and cold working at Trane to taking people up and down, making elevators at ThyssenKrupp, in Memphis, running operations for the United States. He has been there only a few weeks, but he thoroughly enjoys it and excited about the upcoming move. And as always, Dad loves the months of August through December, cheering on his favorite football teams or really anyone that plays Michigan.

Mom (Lisa) is highly anticipating the move as well but in the meantime, she continues to do a excellent job at caring for all of us, making sure that we are happy and healthy. She did not return to teaching preschool since she was unsure when we would be officially moving. She has made a graceful transition from bustling household to empty nester with Dad. They are adjusting and making many trips to Birmingham and Knoxville to visit Jake and I.

As for myself, I am now a junior at the University of Tennessee. (Where did the time go?)  I am an English major, minoring in Secondary Education. My dream: to be a Freshman English teacher. I have been traveling a lot this semester going to football games or just for fun; Atlanta, Athens, GA, Nashville, Paris, TN and the most recent, New York City for a Christmas weekend away with friends. I am still leading a group of sophomore girls at my church in Knoxville and they bring so much joy to my life. Overall, I am still enjoying the college life.

As I am writing this letter, an impromptu trip to visit Mickey Mouse in Disney is being planned.  We are leaving on December 21 and will be returning on Christmas Eve. It will definitely end up being a highlight of this year.

We want to wish you all a very merry Christmas, reminding you to remember the gift of love that God sent down in His son Jesus on Christmas Day. Keep Him in your hearts during this season and everyday this year.

With grace and love,

Rachel