Below is my 1997 Christmas Letter. Instead of a Christmas Card01, I am
doing a Christmas Web Page, complete with Bible verses linked to the
images:
http://www.alumni.caltech.edu/~ernest/Christmas97/ForestWeb.html
It was developed using Rhapsody, the software product I'm working on, so
I'm rather proud of it. Hope you like it!
Merry Christmas,
Ernie Prabhakar
November 23rd, 1997
Greetings to you in the season at which we celebrate how God's infinite
love invaded the earth in the form of a tiny child. I hope you are able
to take the time to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. I pray
this year finds you healthier, wealthier, and wiser than the last!
This year has been one of major changes for me. The most obvious one is
that I have a new address (on back) - send your cards there! After
nine years in southern California, where I went to school and still have
many close friends, I have moved up north to "Silicon Valley." While I
enjoyed my previous job with the Boston Consulting Group, I had been
restless for the past year, and wanted to do something more technical.
Quite unexpectedly (though the process itself took several months), I was
given the opportunity to coordinate marketing strategy for Apple
Computer, Inc.'s new operating sytem, currently called "Rhapsody." This
was a chance to work with technology I had been excited about for years,
and is quite literally a dream come true.
After working with them on specific projects over the summer, I finally
came up here as a full-time employee at the end of September. Life at
Apple is a never-ending series of challenges, but I am thoroughly
enjoying every minute of it. I have acquired an enormous amount of
responsibility - especially considering I had no previous marketing
experience! - but by the grace of God everyone has been very helpful and
pleased with my work. I have also been fortunate to find some Christian
friends there, both new ones as well as people from Pasadena and MIT.
I am still in the process of settling in to the area and building
relationships. I am thrilled to have been able to find a cozy
one-bedroom apartment within walking distance of Apple. My Pasadena
condo will be rented out to a couple of friends from church, so I will
retain some ties to that area. I have decided to join Calvary Baptist
Church in Los Gatos. I've already made some friends through Impact,
their young adult's group. Calvary is large church very similar in
flavor to Lake Avenue Congregational, my church in Pasadena. They are
very concerned about reaching out to their community, particularly young
people, and I hope to get more involved as my schedule permits.
The best news of the year, though, is the birth of my niece, Hannah
Lauren Prabhakar, on April 3rd, 1997. My mom is thrilled to finally
have a baby girl for whom she can buy clothes! Hannah, Nicholas (my
nephew - almost three years old!) and Larry and Lorra will be leaving
Rochester, Minnesota when my brother finishes his residency next Spring,
so pray that God would be preparing a place for them.
In addition to all this, my life - never boring even in normal times -
has been overflowing with change these past twelve months. I have
travelled all over the place, including around the world (twice!), and
experienced both the beginnings and endings of many relationships. It
hasn't always been easy, and at times I really wondered whether God knew
what He was doing. Looking back, though, I can see the glimmers of the
pattern God is weaving out of the threads of our lives, and I'm learning
to trust in that. I am very grateful for where I've ended up, and how
God has shaped and provided for me through all the transitions. I don't
think I've ever been happier, or closer to God.
I pray your lives this year will also reflect the blessings of God.
Write when you can - especially if you have email!
Yours truly, Ernie Prabhakar
Copyright (c) 1997 Dr. Ernest N. Prabhakar
May be copied freely in keeping with the Spirit of Christmas
The artwork and poem tell the story of the world's creation, corruption,
and redemption through the Biblical usage of trees: The Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:9), Noah's Ark (Genesis 6:14),
Moses' staff (Exodus 4:17), the shepherds who witnessed Jesus' birth
(Luke 2:8), the Cross where Jesus died (John 19:17), and finally the
Trees of Life which will bring healing to the nations after Jesus returns
(Revelations 22:2).
Parents:212 Drake Ave., Rochelle IL 61068; (815) 562-8996
New Addres:20800 Valley Green Dr. #431, Cupertino CA 95014; (408) 873-8113
ernest@alumni.caltech.edu
http://www.alumni.caltech.edu/~ernest