Merry Christmas from the Billings Family! This past year seems like it past in the blink of an eye. For those that don’t know we are living in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. In the end of 2023 Jake was admitted into a PhD. program at the Polytecnic University of Madrid in the Complex Systems department. His research focuses on how people migrated in Mesoamerican and the cultural interactions of the Mixe-Zoque( that lived in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec) with other cultures in the area. He has had some good progress and hopes to publish some results in the coming year. He is also enjoying teaching the youth Sunday School in the ward.
Wendy has kept busy with her calling of Young Woman’s president in our ward. She loves serving the youth. She is also enrolled at BYUi and is currently pursuing a degree in Applied Business Management with an emphasis in Digital Media Marketing. She was reluctant to come to live in Spain but has since embraced the culture and has made MANY friends here.
Alex has graduated from Highschool this year and has started at BYUi as well. Her major is Family and Human Services. She is a temple ordinance worker and is loving doing that position. She is also working part time with her father’s company. She started her mission paperwork this last week. We are excited to see who/where she serves.
Brooklyn is enjoying her time in Spain as well. She is adjusting to the culture and language as well. Brooklyn likes to march to the beat of her own drum. She enjoys cooking and make some awesome brownies. She is also enjoys art and has a fantastic book filled with her creations. She is currently serving as the Young Women’s class president and is learning a lot about service.
Santiago is almost ten years old and is all a boy should be. He loves to play sports, wrestle with his father, and also loves art. He loves to draw and has increased his talents a lot this year. He started public school this last year and it has been a struggle to adapt to the Spanish requirements but has done very well and we are very proud of him.
All in all this year has had its ups and downs but we have enjoyed our company as a family and those that have come to visit. We love you all and are so grateful for the friendships we share. May your Christmas be filled with joy and happiness and may the heavens ever bless you in your righteous desires.
With love,
The Billings