It was the best of times...it was the worst of times...to quote Charles Dickens. But in spite of the ‘rona, rioting, and ringworm (shared with 15 of us by our darling little kitten), we have had a year full of blessings. Yes, there have been disappointments (cancellations of mission trips, moves to China, and basketball tournaments), but there have been more joys (new grandbabies, relationships, and drivers licenses). Despite the controlled, energetic chaos that often pervades our home, it is still a place of relative peace unhindered by the craziness of the world in general. Perhaps the rural setting in which we live plays a part, or maybe it’s our refusal to cave in to the pressure of fear. But whatever the cause, we have had a great year.
Here’s what we’ve been up to…
JONATHAN
--began his 21st year of pastoring at Christ Is Lord.
--completed his first year of being the executive director for Hope Centers for Children of Africa.
--traveled to Uganda and D.R. Congo with Hope in January to visit the sites where HCCA is working.
--is waiting until travel restrictions are lifted so he can return there. (Needs to visit twice a year.)
--finally began the long awaited project of adding onto the deck. Phase 2 will complete the project next spring.
HOPE
--celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Millpond Academy Homeschool. (Attendance is steadily dropping. Down to only four students this year.)
--continues to tutor international students in English as a Second Language. (We have two students living with us this year: Leo from China and Solar from South Korea.)
--continues to be chief scheduler, administrator, and general overseer of the family.
--has read 47 books since January 1st and hopes to reach over 50 by the end of the year. (Audio books have helped a lot!)
--got her dream fridge this summer, a huge commercial one (which required getting new cabinets in order to fit the big fridge which lead to getting other new appliances to match the fridge which then basically resulted in a whole kitchen redo).
ANALAYA (and TIM)
--along with kiddos Halden (age 4) and Marielle (age 1) spent the summer living in the house Grandma Marlene and Grandpa Ron bought right across the road from us. Tim put in new flooring and painted to get the house ready for the Wiks to move in in August.
--moved back to Minneapolis in the fall and are living in a rental home in Shoreview.
--Tim continues to teach 4th grade international students.
--are expecting baby number 3 in June.
GRETCHEN (and RYAN)
--welcomed baby number 4, Ovidia Hope, in March.
--began homeschooling in September. Eleri is 5, Geneva is 4, and Ewan is 2.
--Gretchen continues to work several shifts a month in OB at Black River Memorial Hospital. Ryan is a city mail carrier in Sparta.
BRITTON (and CASSIE)
--will be wrapping up his teaching degree in Physical Education with an adapted PE minor from Winona State in May after a semester of student teaching.
--Cassie continues her job as an operations manager at Logistics Health Incorporated in La Crosse.
--Anara celebrated her first birthday in June.
LEIF (and DORI)
--welcomed a newborn foster baby into their home in March.
--welcomed adopted daughter, Kaci-Rose Miriam (age 22 mo), into their family on July 1st.
--welcomed bio baby, Oona Tyler, into their family on July 12th.
--Atticus will turn 2 in a couple weeks.
--will be moving to a bigger house in Mankato mid-December.
--Leif continues to work for ISG as an Architectural/Structural Designer.
SIGRE
--accountant and financial overseer for HCCA.
--is the family tech-support person.
--is the family floating nanny.
--has become a collector of all things American Girl Doll and has learned much about restoring and repairing the dolls.
EMMA
--manages Franklin Coffee House.
--is active in a local CCM (College and Career Ministries) group.
--went skydiving for the first time, and became the owner of her dream car, a Jeep.
--traveled to California for an informal Bible school reunion.
--enjoys an active social life while using the new-to-us hot tub we purchased during the lockdown.
ZOFEYAH
--graduated from HS in July, and is registered to begin classes at Capernwray New Zealand Adventure Bible School July 2021.
--is a CNA in OB at Tomah Memorial Hospital and Black River Falls Memorial Hospital.
--continues to play cello on the praise team at church, assists at Encounter (church youth group), and attends CCM.
--enjoyed FROM (father/daughter prom) at Le Chateau French Restaurant.
--ran a half marathon with brother Leif.
BERIT
--is a senior in high school.
--plays varsity girls basketball with the Monroe County Warriors.
--also enjoyed FROM in July.
--participates in Encounter, FOF (Faith on Fire drama ministry), and homeschool co-op.
--enjoyed planting her own little flower garden this summer.
--loves to paint on canvas, furniture, and walls (decoratively).
--works at Meraki Cafe and Curio Shoppe and babysits for several families.
ANDERS
--is in 10th grade.
--plays varsity boys basketball with the Monroe County Warriors.
--got his drivers license recently.
--got his first job working at Craig’s Meats.
--participates in Encounter, FOF, and homeschool co-op.
--got a kitten this summer (Alvin), whose antics entertain the whole family.
FINN
--became a teenager in September.
--is in 7th grade.
--was thrilled to finally join Encounter.
--passed up Mom in height.
--participates in homeschool co-op.
--plays middle school basketball with MCW.
--loves writing scripts, filming movies, and baking.
BRONWYN
--is 12 years old and in 6th grade.
--participates in homeschool co-op.
--has gotten quite good on the guitar and fills much of our daily life with background strumming.
--plays middle school basketball with MCW.
--loves driving anything she can, like the four-wheeler (and backing the car out of the driveway, with assistance, of course!)
So, that’s a little taste of our year, and with excitement we look forward to whatever the Lord has planned for 2021!
You are special to us! And it is our desire that you would be filled with joy and peace and love as you celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Blessings!
