This year was a great one for us. Like most years, there were valleys and peaks, but we were so blessed by the Lord's faithfulness to our family. Here are some of the highlights:
- Chris officially began his new job as Pastoral Intern at Cornerstone Baptist Church this January. He absolutely loves it and we cannot believe our first year has gone by already!
Chris with some of the college students competing for the "ugliest sweater" at Christmas
Chris & I with a group of college students we took to the Magnify Conference at Kevin DeYoung's Church in November - Chris also began his last year at Seminary! Lord willing, he'll graduate in April. Emma began second grade and Ethan is having tons of fun in Preschool. Ethan even went on his first field trip!
Ethan and his buddies on their first class field trip - We had some milestone birthdays this past year - Eli turned one and I (Stephanie) turned 30! We also celebrated Emma's 7th birthday, Ethan's 4th birthday, and Chris' 32nd birthday.
30, Flirty, and Thriving (Yes, we did watch it on my birthday)!
I can't believe how big (and smart) they are all getting! I asked them to stop growing so fast, but to no avail. . . - We said goodbye to my sweet Grandpa Alvaro this past February and miss him everyday.
Grandpa Alvaro and Me - Emma sang in our Christmas concert for the first time this year with me and sounded beautiful. She was a little nervous at first to be in front of all those people, but she and the other children did great!
Emma's in the front row, 3rd from the right in the red sweater dress
- We visited Wild Lights the Detroit Zoo with my parents, Grandma Dot, brother and his family for the first time. So pretty!
Love this little girl!
All the girls!
Cousins - I was blessed to be the VBS director for Cornerstone this summer and it was an amazing time of learning, growing, and ministering with those at the church.
Loved these two very "Special Agents"
One of my favorite parts of VBS is seeing the church transform - this year was an especially fun spy theme. - Chris and I went on our first mini-vacation EVER without the kids, thanks to my parents, who babysat for us while we were away. We visited Lexington, MI, a very small town not far from here and enjoyed some much-need timed together. We bowled, played putt putt, ate, shopped, and really had a wonderful time.
The great thing about vacationing in a small town? We had an entire bowling alley to ourselves!
My love
Looking back on this year, we can agree with the Psalmist when he writes:
"The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made." (Ps. 145:8-9)
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made." (Ps. 145:8-9)
The Lord has been good to us, and we are so thankful for his mercy to our family, and we thank our family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ who love us and and support us and who have been instruments of His steadfast love. May your next year be dedicated to the One who has already planned it!
