Looking Back

Christmas cards just didn't get sent out from our house this year. I wanted to do it, but somehow never made it happen. I had sort of thought I might do the every-other-year Christmas newsletter anyway....right?! :) So we should be right on track next year.

I do sincerely hope that all my readers had a blessed Christmas season, rich with all the things that really matter in life. That was the sort of Christmas we had this year...a definite scale-down from some material goodies known in years past, but still rich with the love of family and the knowledge of God's goodness.

As I reflect on 2008, it was a year of great changes and continuing adjustments. I am increasingly amazed and a little alarmed at the swiftness with which time seems to pass. I know that's not actually possible, but it surely seems so! I remember writing at the beginning of 2008 that I had a sense that it was going to be a year of changes, with big things happening. I confess it didn't unfold quite like I had imagined, but thankfully there is no spiritual limitations that come with the changing of the calendar year.

In January, Derek's job with Fidelity moved from the north part of Cincy to Covington, Ky. Yes, still quite a haul, but a little closer to home, nonetheless. We still hope for the day when something closer will open up.

In February, we celebrated the 5th birthday of our sweet Sophia, and the 1st birthday of our precious Reagan. Sophie is growing into a very sensitive, considerate little girl and we are so proud of her. Reagan keeps life very exciting as little boys approaching the "terrible" twos are wont to do. He is a doll-baby though, and very beloved by his whole family!

In March, Derek and I attended the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention which we enjoyed very much and look forward to doing again. We returned home from there just in time to celebrate our Lauren's 9th birthday. She has grown so quickly, and I am still struggling to wrap my mind around the fact that I have a daughter as tall as my shoulder who is growing into a young lady. It makes me feel so old!

In April, Cameron turned 7 years old. Cameron is a rambunctious, wiggle-worm of a little guy. He is getting so big, and is nearly as big as Lauren, though she is a full two years older. He loves doing things with his Daddy, and is such a good helper with whatever task he is given to do.

In June, we marked 12 years of marriage together. How thankful I am to God for the man He has allowed me to share my life with. I'd marry him again in a heartbeat!

June also brought about a new phase in our lives when our Pastor resigned his position to move to a church in Alabama. Pastor Bill and Nancy had become so much more than just a Pastor, they were our trusted friends and confidants. We still miss them so much, and their place in our lives is still vacant. In August, Derek also accepted a call to another local church which took us away from the church we had been serving for nearly 6 years. It was a lot of transition all at once, but we have seen God's hand moving through it all. We are enjoying getting to know the congregation of which we are now a part. Our children are loving their new friends and enjoy the children's ministry at the church. Derek has a great group of young people and he is doing a wonderful job (if I may say so!) in working with them and helping them mature in their walk with God.

Another new thing, and a rather big one for our family was the decision to start doing services of music as a family. This was never something that we really envisioned doing, but it started happening one service at a time, and it has proven to be something that we enjoy as well as an avenue for ministry. We hope to continue this into 2009 as God sees fit.

Like many of you, most of my year was spent in a love/hate relationship with politics and news-watching as we followed the presidential campaign. Wish I could say that I was happy with the outcome, and looking forward to inauguration day but that is not the case. I do rest in God's sovereignty, and know this is an opportunity for growth as a nation.


The year has ended with a big "bang" as my brother Jonathan got married five days before Christmas! A wedding at Christmas time makes for a double whammy of festivities. We welcomed Monee' into our family with open arms, and wish them all the best.

So, there you have a very birdseye view of our past year. Certainly devoid of many details, but perhaps many of you have read the blog and were aware of most of these events already!



I wish you all a Happy New Year....Blessings!

The Love Chapter: Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust; but giving the gift of love will endure.

I came across this reading while looking for things to share in our little family concert that we gave last night. (and found the song, by the way. yay!) God helped us, despite the fact that we have been fighting various and sundry MISERABLE flus for two weeks. I have so many pics and even some videos I want to share, but am just too wiped out, to be honest. The children had their piano recital, and we were so proud of them both. I'll try to get the pics and videos up later. Blessings on you all during this harried season!