December 2002

Greetings from Montgomery County, Maryland, formerly known as Snipersville! We are certainly thankful to be alive and well this holiday season. It has been our busiest year yet, so find somewhere cozy to sit and read our latest chapter.

The early part of last year was hectic for both of us. Ed worked overtime at the Kaiser Hospital in Riverside, which was great for our savings account but really lousy for our quality time. Gina didn’t have loads of free time herself as her final year of residency came and went, with end-of-the-year projects due, exams to take, chief resident duties to wrap up, and yet another graduation. She was very happy to receive her Masters in Public Health degree in nutrition. Looming over everything was the nagging thought of our impending move to the east coast in June. Selling our first home was one of the hardest things we’ve had to do, topped only by the massive job of packing (most of which took place the night before the movers came to take it all away).

Naturally, we had to have a place to live once we arrived in Maryland, so Ed took a few days off and flew out in May to scout out the area. We really wanted a house with a two-car garage but were having a tough time finding them. Ed felt much more optimistic when he arrived at the building site of the new Gatestone Townhomes, where structures were actually going up during his inspection of the three-story townhouse that was available. Finding it seemed providential: it was the right size, had a two-car attached garage, was situated close to our prospective jobs, and had beautiful woods in the back. Perfect! Ed was even able to e-mail digital pictures and mini-movies of his walk-through to Gina, which was way cool. Several phone calls and e-mails later, we became the proud owners of our second home. On June 17, we started a five-day cross-country drive to Silver Spring, Maryland, a small vacation and sight-seeing trip all in one. It was wonderful to see America by car.

Since moving to Maryland, we have been overwhelmed with the vast history and resources in the Washington, D.C. area. It’s almost too bad we came here to work. Speaking of work, Ed has started fellowship training in Endocrinology at the National Institutes of Health. The first of three years is mainly clinical training in diabetes as well the diagnosis and treatment of other hormonal imbalances. He is still in the process of deciding whom to work with in research for the remaining two years. So far he is receiving invaluable training at just about the finest place in the world.

Gina is also enjoying her work in primary care since finishing residency. In addition to obtaining privileges at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, she is working for an internist in Silver Spring and sees just about all the Hispanic patients in the area. Her fluency in Spanish really pays off. She is also able to integrate her training in Preventive Medicine to help her patients live healthier lives.

Ironically, the biggest highlight since moving here was the opportunity to surprise our family in Loma Linda for Thanksgiving. It was a big treat for us to see them and the area once again. We are looking forward to visiting relatives in Washington state for Christmas.

We wish you the Lord’s richest blessings as you begin a new year.

Love, Ed & Gina