Dear Family and Friends,

We are thankful that we are able to get this year’s letter out before the year is finished!!

We look back again this year with appreciation to God for getting us through another year, and for all of you our family and friends.

This year we have at least one new life-changing event in our life. We both decided to go on 100% raw-foods on March 31^st this year, and we were able to do this together for a couple months. It had many positive affects on both of us.

Before raw diet (on Rodica’s Birthday)

Eric noticed that he had more energy immediately, and that his headaches that were a regular event (at least once a week) had now disappeared. In the past 8 months since being on the new plan he has only had (exactly) 2 headaches, and these could both be related to some food eaten that was not in the best condition.

Other positive results for Eric were that he noticed the frequent trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night; the requirement for an afternoon nap, especially on the Sabbath disappeared. His facial skin that he was given a prescription for because of the terrible flaking has now cleared up, and he does not use any of these prescriptions. He lost 28 lbs. since starting this program, most of which was weight that needed to go. He also now actually likes eating things he used to dislike, such as persimmons, and other fruits are now his preferred foods.

In general, Rodica was raised eating lots of raw-foods, but now being on it for two months 100% she found that a raw diet is a very good way to cleanse the system.

At this stage, Eric still maintains raw foods about 95%, while Rodica has decided to include beans and whole grain breads in her diet more regularly.

After 8 months raw diet.

On June 15^th, we had our 7^th year anniversary. We are thankful to God for giving us 7 years together. God blessed us by giving us a hotel all to ourselves in Desert Hot Springs, with a mineral pool, and hot mineral bath next to our room. As the time passes, we appreciate each other all the more.

Happy In Palm Springs	Above at the Hotel

Another major event was Eric’s 40^th Birthday, where Rodica tried to surprise Eric. She needed to prepare lots of raw foods, so this couldn’t easily be hidden from Eric, since we don’t know too many other raw foodists in San Diego. Eric found out, and ended up helping prepare the raw food!

Eric’s 40^th Birthday at Nancy Hill’s House

Another major event, (at least for Eric), was being pushed into singing with Rodica this year in Point Loma Nazarene University choir for Handel’s Messiah. The reason this is a major event, is that Eric has never really sung in a choir like this. He tried to participate one time before, but not for something so complicated as this. Also, considering that Eric used to be a person who could sit in a room full of people singing songs, and not open his mouth even once to sing. Rodica has helped Eric very much in this department. J

The Mandolin Orchestra at our Church continues to make progress. We have learned a few dozen songs. Learning to play new songs is more of a pleasure now, since it is not as difficult for the group as it used to be.

For the redecoration project that was started after a pipe broke in our dining room, we decided to have polished porcelain tiles installed in our home. Now it’s okay to spill beet juice on the floor without panicking. J

The only major traveling we did this year was in September, when we got to take part in Eric’s niece Jaclyn and Seth’s Wedding in Muskegon, MI. The minister didn’t show up till the ceremony was completed, but he still wanted to get paid! Seth’s Father did a better job anyway. We got to meet Terra’s little Jenna, which was a delight. Rodica made friends with her from the very beginning. Jenna is a very happy and smart little girl. It was nice to visit with Eric’s sister Colette and her family.

Jenna (2yrs) smiling at Colette	Christa (2yrs)
	Mihai (6yrs) & Vince

Also this year, we got to see Nick and Valentina, and their children, Mihai and Christa. Mihai delighted us with his charming voice, and his care for his little sister who he loves dearly. Christa always looked for Eric but wouldn't talk to him when he got home.

We were saddened by the loss of our dear friend Vincent Dachary in August. We look forward to the day when there will be no more death, crying, pain, or misery. We believe based on events in the world today, and our study of the bible, that the 2^nd coming of Jesus is very near, and we are looking forward.

For more see http://www.herghelia.org/hillis

We wish you, from our whole heart, a

“Happy and Blessed New Year.”