Dear friends,
This is the fourth year we have sent our family update letters at Easter. Usually, this time of year naturally evokes a sense of joy, wonder, and hope as we celebrate spring and everything still feels fresh and new. This year, the world is still reeling from a lot of things that make it easy to feel hopeless. But in some ways, this hopelessness and at the very least, uncertainty, is exactly what we need to feel to appreciate and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the birth of our HOPE.
Imagine the disciples - everything they had given up everything for had crumbled around them. The man they had loved and followed and even prosthelytized for had not met their expectations for a better kingdom and overthrow of Rome - He was, in fact, dead. The shock must have been paralyzing. And then, three days later, Jesus was there in the flesh, alive when they had seen Him die with their own eyes. Suddenly, there was hope again. And expectations once again shifted as they began to understand that Jesus was not there to make their lives on earth easier and better, but to make it possible for them to have eternal life forever with God in Heaven. It is our prayer that each of you would also have that hope in Jesus, and that He would be your refuge during these very uncertain times.
Now, for family updates!
I turned 40 in August and had a fantastic day of celebrating. Every birthday is a blessing to count! This year, I’m homeschooling Evan & Cadey, and doing some preschool with Amos - and of course Aaron is temporarily at home also. Honestly, some days are amazing and wonderful and some are days I’m not sad are over! HA. Some of our favorite activities are library day, field trips to the local interactive museum, nature class at the nature center, art class at a friend’s house and various other supplementary activities. We are finding new favorites as we stay home! I’m trying to find creative ways to recharge and renew.
Aaron is in 7th grade and in our youth group class at church. He’s growing so quickly and has surpassed his mother by at least ¼ of an inch. He enjoys his school, his friends, and playing sports of any and all varieties. His soccer and basketball teams both took first in their league and won the tournament championships. Volleyball was underway also, but has been cancelled for this year. Aaron is creative and enjoys making just about anything. It is exciting to watch him grow in maturity and responsibility and I’m enjoying seeing more of him in this season.
Evan is in 5th grade and loves to learn about a variety of topics...he’s just not that fond of school papers. This year he has continued to take piano lessons, and enjoys reading and writing stories. He’s created a comic strip with multiple installments and loves to make stop motion videos with his siblings. He was also able to join a LEGO robotics team this year through our church’s Christian school. He LOVED it. We are currently praying about the next steps for his absence epilepsy. Evan is a hilarious and compassionate member of our family and we love to watch him grow and learn.
Cadence is in second grade and loves to draw, paint, and create anything artistic! She’s been a speedy learner this year so that she will have extra time to play with her brothers, create, and read. Her love for anything LEGO and the Adventures in Odyssey series mean that she’s often found building and creating while listening to CD’s in her room. She sometimes laments the lack of a sister, but still manages to have fun with her brothers as well. She growing SO quickly and full of enthusiasm and energy. We love our Cadey-girl.
Amos turns 5 this July, much to our disbelief. How could the time with our kids be flying by so quickly? Amos is starting a few things for school, but mostly plays a LOT. He enjoys watching his favorite TV shows, learning magic tricks from his big brother, telling jokes, listening to books, pretending with his toys, running, dancing, singing, and building just about anything out of cardboard. (rocket ship, jet pack, dump truck - we’ve seen it all!) He is also the best little snuggler in the house! Our lives would be short a BUNCH of laughter without the spark that is Amos.
Would you keep our family in your prayers? We need wisdom in parenting, growth in our personal and spiritual lives, and physical energy and strength. We are learning more every day but desperately need to depend on God for every daily challenge and need. We will pray for you as we prepare each of these letters to be sent. You are all loved so much by us and forever loved by God.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8
