Delayed one day because of snow, the Tuck family officially moved to the Marian Center grounds on December 6. After making a path through the boxes in our new home, we got right to work at the Center! Bryan has an office in the Center, and he quickly got his computers up and running (with minor troubles!) so he could get his business running. He is working his own graphic design business (Design of the Times, Inc. and his dba Crown 12 Media) along with getting up to speed on the Marian Center operation.
The younger children started school at St. Francis Xavier in Petoskey, and they were warmly welcomed. Our 8 year old, Rebecca Therese, was making a play date with a new friend when I picked her up on the very first day! Maria (age 14) is at Petoskey High School. She has only had 2 days so far due to the snow days off, and she is still finding all the things that are different here. Hopefully she will make a new friend soon to help her feel more comfortable.
Lori and Josh’s girls, Annie and Maggie, like our children very much, but they are not so sure about Bryan and I! They are precious, and little Charlie has the cutest smile! Josh has been very busy with his job with Catholic Vote, and Lori is a very busy mother. Lori’s brother, Alan, his wife Renee and their four boys, were up last weekend for their family Christmas. Our six year old, Jacob was happy to have some little boys to play with!
As you can imagine, it is quite a transition to make. As we turn to our thoughts to God in prayer, we are reminded to take one day at a time, continuing to trust in Him.
The store looked festive for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and we met some nice people came to take advantage of our 12% off sale! We can see that being out of town in the winter is a disadvantage up here, as it has been snowing almost nonstop since we got here! (except for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe which was a bright, sunny day!) We hope people will shop at St. Joseph’s Catholic Books and Gifts online at www.stjosephbooks.com! Available 24 hours a day!!
We are working this winter on cleaning and organizing the Center. We are focusing on getting more online business for the store, getting a brochure together, and investigating the possibility of having some camping this summer at the Center.
Please continue to pray for God’s will for the Center to be revealed to us, for our children’s transition, and for all of us here at the Marian Center. Thank you, and God Bless all of you, the Marian Center’s wonderful family near and far!
Julie Tuck
