2025 NEWSLETTER

🎄Scott Family Christmas Newsletter 2025

Jacksonville, Florida

Did you know that Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the continental United States? We like to think that’s fitting because this big, beautiful city seems to have just enough room to hold all of our memories, milestones, and miracles from this past year. And as we settle into this season of joy and love, our hearts feel especially full knowing we are home together again. We pray this newsletter finds you doing well, surrounded by peace, hope, and the people you cherish.

Everyone Home for Christmas

This year, we are celebrating Christmas with a full house and nothing makes our hearts happier.

JC drove down from Virginia, where he’s been living for the past three years.  He earned his Master’s in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins last May and in August, he stepped into the role of Operations Director for a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch for Northrop Grumman’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission.  This launch deployed two Space Norway broadband satellites into orbit, strengthening high-latitude communication networks and improving both military and civilian broadband services across the Arctic.  After 2.5 incredible years as a flight controller for NASA’s ICESat2 program, he felt God nudging him toward bigger horizons and was and recently promoted to Tier 3 Aerospace Engineer, accepting a new position on a Satellite Integration & Test Team.  Speaking of bigger horizons, JC wasted no time sending in his first-ever astronaut application, just three days after his 26th birthday.  He passed the first screening (meaning he met all the initial requirements!) but didn’t make the final selection.  Still, our space boy took it with grace, gratitude and determination, and is proudly preparing to submit many more applications in the coming years.

JC is thriving in his own place, making new friends, hitting the gym, and officially claiming the title of tallest Scott family member.

CJ: From Hogwarts to the High Seas

CJ has traded her wizarding robes for pirate hats! We have now watched Pirates of the Caribbean enough times to recite the scripts, collected pirate outfits, and even explored a pirate museum. The only thing left? Getting her on an actual pirate ship hopefully soon!

She is thrilled to be celebrating another Christmas with her cousin Daleth, Uncle Dudong and his fiancée, Pam who have made this a yearly tradition after coming to the U.S. last year to visit. CJ continues thriving in the post-graduate program at the North Florida School of Special Education, where she works as a  passionate volunteer at the Jacksonville Zoo and at the beloved Barkin’ Biscuits bakery with Berry Good Farms. These dog biscuits are becoming popular nationwide and yes, they’re available online at https://www.berrygoodfarms.org/barkin-biscuits/. She also had another magical year participating in Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine special needs prom and strutting confidently in the Heart of the Runway Fashion Show benefiting her school. If joy had a runway, CJ would own it.

Mark: The Captain Navigating Uncharted Skies

With everything happening in the airline industry, many have been asking about Mark’s flying career. We are beyond grateful that he still has his job at Spirit Airlines, a true blessing amidst uncertainty. Though untouched by the furloughs, he was placed on long-call reserve for a month (meaning he remained available for flights but with extended notice before being assigned). Instead of worrying, he used that slower period as a God-given pause to reset, refocus, and recharge. He is now back flying full-time as a senior line-holder in Orlando. As for the big question…what’s next? While there’s lots of speculation about Spirit’s future, nothing is certain. Mark received offers and suggestions to apply to major airlines, but with less than six years until retirement and the major pay cut he’d face starting over, he chose faith over fear and decided to stay with Spirit and ride it out. He remains loyal, hopeful, and trusting God's plan. In more exciting news: Mark is now the proud owner of KNIGHT RIDER, his Tesla, despite swearing he'd never buy one. The “autopilot” feature may just be his new favorite co-pilot.

Marissa: The Energizer Bunny of All Trades

Marissa continues to flourish in real estate despite a quirky market, staying resilient, sharp, and steadfast. In addition, she has launched into a brand-new venture: a rare wood importing business supplying specialty lumber across the U.S. and Europe, with plans for a full Philippine-U.S. business merge by 2026. She also leads worship regularly at three local churches, a calling that fills her soul. Somehow, with her energizer-bunny energy, she still manages Pilates, beauty appointments, mission trips to Spain, and even growing her work as a brand influencer, her biggest partnership being with Valvoline. Our favorite part? She still joins Mark on many of his work trips and those adventures are priceless. She also surprised Mark with a secret 26th-anniversary trip to Montana, where they rode a snowcat up a mountain for a cowboy-style dinner in a yurt, visited Yellowstone, waterfalls, geysers, and more. A trip for the books! We also took a family vacation to St. Thomas, where we explored the U.S. Virgin Islands in a 4×4 right-hand-drive Jeep driving on the opposite side of the road was definitely an adventure! We soaked in a breathtaking sunset on a catamaran cruise, went snorkeling where I was lucky enough to see a beautiful sea turtle, and most of all, cherished unforgettable family bonding moments together. 

CT: Our Determined Young Man

Our adoptive son CT graduated high school this year!
While we wait for his immigration paperwork to finalize (and temporarily pause the U.S. Navy plans), he is working at Marissa’s sister’s restaurant and enjoying his new responsibilities. He’s also working out consistently and earned his driver’s license (don’t ask how many tries!).

Beeba: Our Beloved Lolo Pup

Beeba is officially our oldest dog ever, outliving sweet Yoyo. He just got a clean bill of health, though his hips and joints remind us of his age.

Other than that, he still acts like a playful puppy and fills our home with happiness.

 Vitamin Sea: Our Little Paradise

Our Amelia Island oceanfront condo, lovingly named Vitamin Sea, turns 4 next year and continues to be a cherished blessing.

We love escaping there whenever we can, the beach truly heals the soul.

Many of you follow Marissa on social media and stay updated on our adventures, but if you don’t, be sure to follow her!  We love staying connected with family and friends, no matter the distance. If you ever find yourself near Jacksonville or Amelia Island, please reach out, we’d love to see you and share a meal, a sunset, or even a pirate adventure (CJ will insist). As we reflect on this year, the highs, the uncertainties, the answered prayers, and the unexpected blessings, we are reminded that God is faithful in every season. His plans are always good, His timing always perfect, and His love always steady.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14

May the hope of Christ fill your homes, your hearts, and your year ahead.

With love and prayers,
Mark, Marissa, JC, CJ, CT, & Beeba
The Scott Family — Jacksonville, Florida

(904) 537-0405

Msmarissascott@gmail.com

www.myvitsea.com