(photo credit: Pexels.com)
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Hello Family and Friends,
"It's that time of year...:)" Most of us look forward to an opportunity to give to those close to us, spend some time connecting with one another, and then prepare our hearts and minds for the new year.
Here is an attempt at connecting with you through pictures...
We had the opportunity to go to KY for a weekend to visit my sister, brother-in-law , and mother. We were able to spend an evening in Louisville and then go to Mammoth Cave the next day. Though we had a short visit, it was great to see family members. In the past year, my mother fell and broke her femur. After surgery, therapy wasn't given like we expected, so my sister, Esther, has been faithfully visiting her on a daily basis in a rehab facility in Kentucky.
For Spring Break the kids wanted to see their cousins. We stopped off in IA to see Sarah's side of the family for a few days. The kids enjoyed playing and even going to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, NE with their grandma Packard.
In June we gifted Sarah's mother an experience in Gatlinburg, TN for a few days of relaxation, hiking, and family fun. The first evening, Jace pointed out some bears outside of our cabin.
In July we were able to take the kids to their second major league baseball game and see some sights in Cincinnati around the 4th of July weekend.
Later, at the beginning of August, a highlight was having a visit from Sarah’s mother and Bailey, a cousin to our
kids. We all went to the Indiana State Fair for the day…
Jace is an eighth grader at Westfield Middle School and he enjoys playing the piano and saxophone. He
also has run cross country and track with his season highly affected with pandemic protocols.
Gwyneth is a sixth grader who enjoys thriving at school, with others, so she can’t stand quarantines:)...
Her friendships are important to her. She likes to keep herself and our family organized, finds enjoy-
ment in the kids choir at church, Student Leaders, and staying up on all that is happening.
Quinn is a fourth grader who loves to do gymnastics, dance, and run cross country. She finds ways to
share her giving heart and makes sure her siblings and parents know her preferences. She has an eye
for fashion and is growing up far too quickly.
For Fall Break we were afforded the opportunity to change vacation plans for the second year in a row.
We used the money that was refunded to us from prior plans and headed to Orlando, FL. We told the
kids we would find a way to go to the beach and do some hiking (a family practice for which they aren’t
often enthused). We found a great deal to go to SeaWorld and added on a Universal Studios visit.
The picture below is when Sarah told them we weren’t actually going to hike the whole vacation while
waiting on our order at a Denny’s restaurant.
When I think about areas where we need prayer, we thank the Lord for Sarah’s continued improvement
in health. We are amazed how her adrenal and fatigue conditions turned around through help from
Consolidated Wellness.
Please pray for mercy and grace over John’s mom and for emotional strength for Esther, John’s sister.
As the kids mature, we desire to see their faith be genuine and transforming. We pray for community to rise around them to be great influencers in their growth and development.
We hope you have a BLESSED Christmas season and a blessed New Year! The prophet Isaiah foretold of a Light for the nations hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus (Isaiah 9:2). We are grateful for the hope and direction that is eternal, right from Him. May His blessings go before you, behind you, and underneath you,
John, Sarah, Jace, Gwyneth, and Quinn
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2 NIV
