Merry Christmas!

We have so much to be thankful for this year. As i look back over the year, I can see so many ways God has provided, blessed, and given us reason to praise Him. Of course, I can start simply with being able to praise Him for who He is and how much He loves us!

Many have questioned things in our lives and those of our children. Isaiah has been working out with the poolies. Those are recruits heading to the Marines. Many have asked us and him, “are you sure?” “We’re in such a volatile political, world, emotional, financial situation. Do you really want him to serve?” “Does he really want to serve under this administration?” The questions go on. All I can say is this, he keeps seeking the Lord’s will and we pray along with him. We want him to be guided by the Lord into the path He has for him, and thankfully he wants that too. And so we trust. And we praise the Lord for his guidance and wisdom along the way.

Samuel got engaged in September and many have said, “they’re so young.” I look at it as a huge blessing that he’s found the one he loves early in life and doesn’t have to carry any baggage into his marriage. I see her as a gift from God for him and for our family. She loves Jesus, loves Samuel, and fits right in. I couldn’t possibly ask for more! And we praise God for blessing us abundantly!

Some exciting news we’ve only shared with close friends is that we’re starting a CSA in the spring! If you don’t know, that stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically you can buy a share of our garden and come weekly to pick up your fresh produce. We’re so thrilled the Lord has led us on this path and also totally frightened it’ll go horribly! I told a friend recently, I vacillate between being super excited and ready to plant to freezing in the middle of the aisle at the grocery store with overwhelm and fear. So, if you need something to pray for, it can be that! I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Lord is leading this new charge in our lives and He never starts something without walking along with us and helping us finish strong. And so I keep stepping out in faith, trusting he’ll show us the way. Right now, I’m deep in research so that our garden can be as successful as possible. Of course, we’ve had a few who have questioned this as well. One person even told us we don’t know what we’re doing and probably shouldn’t pursue it! That’s okay though, it just helps us push harder, dig deeper, and hopefully come out more learned on the other side.

I’ve been thinking a lot about people God used in the Bible. Over and over their stories speak of God giving them the ‘what’ first and often not the ‘how’ or ‘when’ until much later. Mary was given the what – you’ll carry a child before you physically should be able to and he’ll be the Savior of the world. She wasn’t given the ‘how’ or ‘when’ right away. She just had to trust that what God said was true and step out in faith. Moses was told the ‘what’. You will save the Israelites. He wasn’t given the ‘how’ or ‘when’ right away either. He had to step out in faith.

I feel like this has been a huge stepping out of faith for us. We were given a vision from God and we’re being obedient to what He’s called us to. We can’t answer all the questions of ‘how’ and ‘when’ because He’s giving us a step at a time. So, we take the next step and then ask God for the next. As a planner myself, this has been an enormous and wonderful stretching of my faith. And I can praise God for always refining me!

Because of God’s faithfulness over the years and in every area of my life, I can walk into 2022 with confidence and joy. So many look down on 2020 and 2021 as horrible years with not much to rejoice in. And I am not discounting that there have been difficulties and grief. But, in reality every year is fraught with those things. Regardless of our situations and circumstances we can choose to focus on the negative and grow more bitter and angry or we can choose to focus on God’s abundant care and blessings and settle in His peace that surpasses all understanding. I choose to look at the good, at the blessings, at how God is always before, beside, and behind me.

We wish you a confidence, peace, and joy that is unshakable in the year ahead! May you walk with God, no matter how scary it seems! And, if you happen to be interested in a garden share, let us know!