2016 was a big year for our family, and there were many lessons learned, struggles overcome, and memories made. Life is a journey of growth, and there are some things we just don't want to forget. Here are just a few of those things in no particular order...
I don't want to forget that this was the year that..
.... Jeremiah baptized himself in the bath after watching Pastor George baptize others.
.... Jeremiah started to read.
.... J shared that he wants to go to seminary to be a pastor someday.
.... Janna shared that she is so glad that God made her Janna and made her exactly the way she is.
..... Jadyn accepted change in her life with joy.
......My little brother became a Daddy.
......I became an auntie to the most beautiful niece.
..... Jadyn lost her first tooth, this had been a moment she was waiting for since she turned 4.
......Joshua and I went to our first Laker game.
..... We went on our first family missions trip.
..... J learned to snowboard.
......Janna learned to Cross Country Ski.
..... Jeremiah went to his first KARE camp.
...... Janna went to her first overnight camp at KARE.
..... Joshua preached in Big church.
...... Joshua took Jadyn to a Daddy/ Daughter ball.
..... We did a family whale watching trip for our anniversary.
.... Our oldest boy turned double digits (10).
...... My best friend threw the most beautiful farewell gathering.
..... We said goodbye to our Upland home, and said hello to our farm house.
..... We lived in a trailer for 2.5 months.
...... Joshua and J went to their first NFL game.
.......Carolers came to the door during Christmas time and it was pouring rain.
...... I faced my fears.
...... Jeremiah got a One year bible at our Church White Elephant Exchange, and he asked his brother to read it to him every morning.
..... A resident owl lived on our farm.
.... We said goodbye to our first set of hens.
....... We hunted for our Christmas Tree in forest, and cut it down.
...... Janna expressed that she likes to get presents, but she likes to watch others get presents more.
..... My love for teaching returned when I got the chance to be teacher for our own treasures.
...... Jadyn had 8 inches cut off of her hair.
...... Joshua helped coach J's flag football team.
...... Our Thanksgiving Turkey struggled to get fried in time, so we roasted it and ate it the next day.
...... Daddy taught J to drive on the Farm.
...... We became part of a new church community.
....... The girls had their first piano recital.
....... We went to the Compassion experience.
...... J found a love for woodworking.
...... Janna found a love for quilting.
Lessons learned...
... God calls us to hard things, but he continues to be faithful through it.
... Faith can overcome fear.
.... Change is so hard, but can be so good.
.... Doing life with others is a gift.
.... Hospitality is welcoming others in, not making sure everything is perfect.
..... God gives you some friends for a season, and others for a lifetime.
..... Nothing is forever except eternal life.
..... Margin in your life is an amazing thing!
..... Fear is deep rooted, and sometimes unrecognizable.
..... Looking for lovely in the everyday is essential.
..... I have an audience of one.
.... Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.
.....Anxiety is real, and others may not understand.
..... You can be happy for someone even when it hurts to do so.
..... When you pour into someone else's life, you are pouring into your own life.
.... God knows all the details, and I don't need to know them.
..... God calls us to intentionality, and asks us to be ALL IN for him.
..... Patience is easier when you rely on God for your strength and have faith in Him.
God continues to teach us these lessons, and sometimes we need to be re taught. I am grateful that I serve a gracious God, who loves me in every season on this journey of life.
Blessings to you and yours in 2017
~ Julie