To be completely honest this was supposed to be our Christmas card blog, but other priorities got in the way and now I will call this our year in review in acknowledgment of the New Year. I love history. I’m a firm believer that if you do not know where you have come from then it is hard to understand who you are and where you are going. Looking back over events and moments in life are always so enlightening. These are some of the highlights for our family in 2018:
It is hard to believe that Israel turned 3 and Zion, 7. I am truly starting to feel the preciousness of the moments in this stage of our children's lives. I can say that I am content in this phase of life and I find myself thinking less and less, “if only they were a little older.” Quite honestly, if I could freeze them at this age I would, even Izzy and all his 3-year-old craziness.
The beginning of the summer we decided to move to an apartment close to the church. Making that our 4th home in a year and a half up to that point. I am so over moving! When Isaac brought up the idea of moving again a couple weeks after this last time, I must say I might not have been a very pleasant person in how I handled that conversation. Let’s just say, unless God intervenes we will be staying put.
Around the same time we moved, I started a part-time position at the church as the administrative assistant. It was an answer to prayer on many levels. It was definitely a financial blessing for our family, but also a gift from God and a confirmation of the trajectory of my journey. I would then become ordained several months later, surrendering more fully to God’s plans for my life. I started the blog in all that as a way of making myself accountable to my new path in life.
In between all of that I went to Panama to bury my grandfather. It was a solemn time but also a time of joy. We made the best of the moment celebrating a life well lived. Zion started first grade right after. She had been homeschooled for Kindergarten and although it was fun we decided there would be a greater benefit for all if she went to school with her peers. So far she loves it and it is fun seeing her grow and navigate through the world.
Another big deal in our world was Isaac got to host and be apart of a debate at our church. It was important to him that the debate be held at the church. He wanted to set the stage that discussions such as on the rationality of the belief in God had a place in the church. He debated a Philosophy professor from the University Wisconsin- Madison and it was such a nerve wracking and exciting experience.
This thanksgiving the family spent apart, but we had fun nevertheless. Zion, Israel and I went to Florida where my parents hosted a family reunion of 70+ people. The kids had a blast meeting many of their cousins young and old, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them get to know and bond with family whom they’ve maybe seen once before or not at all.
To close out the year, I agreed to volunteer at a Christian conference in St. Louis Missouri called Urbana after Christmas and I am glad that I did. Although I was working at the conference from morning till evening everyday, I was truly blessed to be able to serve and glean from many different people attending and serving in all capacities. And it was also, during this time that my uncle after a relatively short battle with colon cancer passed away. We had a full year.
We are gratefully looking to the year ahead. Looking forward to what God has in store for us on the mountain tops and in the valleys. We know that as long as we are with Him peace and joy will be our constant companion on the journey ahead.
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