I haven’t been very honest lately. Or rather, I’ve kept silent about many things. Tonight, that comes to a (partial) end.

Life has been difficult lately. I was laid-off in May. While Cindy and I were in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, on a trans-Atlantic cruise, the news came by email. In the middle of dinner. After the cruise, while we were in Barcelona, Spain, a pickpocket stole my cell phone. (Apparently, the pickpockets of Barcelona are world-infamous.) My boarding pass for the flight home was on that cell phone, but that was the least of the problems the theft caused us. This made for a very sour end to our wonderful vacation.

And then we came home and began the job search. As of this writing, it is still on-going.

We’re struggling, to say the least, but we’ve been surviving—not well, but surviving. So far.

The job market for senior software engineers is tough, especially if one has gray hair. I’ve gone through extensive interview processes with multiple companies—one such company had six rounds of interviews. I passed each round. And still didn’t get the job. One company told me, after several interviews, that I was on a short list of two. And, according to the VP of Engineering, of the two, he liked me better. However, after two weeks of waiting for a final answer, they decided not to hire either of us. A couple of weeks ago, I was actually offered at job during a late-night phone call. I was supposed to get the paperwork the next day. However, the next day, nothing came. The following day, they finally texted me to say that they were not going to hire anyone at the present time.

And then there are the recruiters who ghost you without giving you any feedback or to even inform you that you did not get the job.

One of my daughters has become convinced by the lies published by evil and designing persons that she must now flee the country, due to the results of the last election. I may never see her again in this life.

I’ve never faced a Christmas season like this before.

And on top of that, the Cowardly Crusaders of Cyberspace continue their relentless attacks.

As I said, it’s tough right now.

At least I’m getting a lot of writing done… And I have received a number of very positive reviews for “The Witch of White Lady Hollow” and its sequels.

In addition, I’ve been privileged to work with amazing narrators on the audiobook versions of my books: Karen T. Miller, William R. Smierciak, Leanette Bailey, and Jesse Gossett. Karen is currently producing the audiobook for “Haunted by the Neverborn,” and she is doing a magnificent job.

And my wife still loves me. That means everything. I honestly don’t know why she does, but I thank God that she does.

My mother (who lives with us) still loves me.

I still pay my tithing on my unemployment checks. I still go to church faithfully. I still go to the temple to worship. I’m very grateful that I can still go to the Temple to worship.

Four of my six children are still faithful in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I mourn for the two that are not. I have not given up on them—and I never will—but they do not communicate with me. But four of my children and theirspouses and children are faithful. They still love me. And I am grateful for their love and support and their faithfulness.

As hard as life is right now, I know that God has not abandoned me. In so many ways, that has been the theme of my books—God never abandons us, not even in our darkest hours. And He never will.

In the movie, Holiday Inn, Bing Crosby’s character, in his lowest of moments, sings an Irving Berlin song, “I’ve Got Plenty to be Thankful For.” In the movie, he listens to a recording of himself singing that song. He criticizes his performance. He feels down in the dumps. But then his housekeeper comes in and gives him a dose of the truth. It changes his perspective.  

So, though life is hard right now, I’ve got plenty to be grateful for.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

That includes you, Andrew. I do wish you a joyous Christmas. I hope you find peace. There is peace in Jesus Christ. In fact, it is only through Him that we can find lasting peace. It is only through Him that we can find true joy.

Peace on Earth, and good will to ALL men and ALL women.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!