Merry Christmas 2015

Dear family and friends!

I really wasn’t going to do it. I had convinced myself I deserved a break this year from holiday correspondence. But then all your lovely cards and messages started rolling in.

I didn’t have time to make cards. No way I could manage to stamp, address, and mail 150 letters off to all the corners of the globe (let alone update the address book).

But this, I can do. I can catch you up on all that made 2015 an amazing year and wish you a Merry Christmas right here on my blog. No postage necessary and no awkward Christmas mail arriving in your box in mid-January.

We’ve settled in to our Texas home, but there may just be a few boxes still hidden in a closet somewhere. We have enjoyed taking in the local culture in Corpus Christie, San Antonio, Waco, New Braunfels, Austin. As nice as it is for the boys to continue to play outside this time of year without boots and hats and gloves and snow pants, I’ll admit, just a few flakes would make it feel more festive.

In May we said goodbye to our faithful and furry family member Hannah. She enjoyed a wonderful 15 years spent traveling the world (she visited more places than most people ever get to see) and eating a whole bunch of things she wasn’t supposed to (chocolate, loaves of bread, rat poison….). She had a good life and we will always miss her.

Matt started the year started off with a bang as we celebrated his promotion in January with lots of family and friends. Then in June he reached another milestone - he turned 40! Despite his advanced age, this summer he was finally able to ride with several other family members in his very first Journey for Jordan bike ride. An approximately 140 mile ride from Gays, IL to The Haven House in ST Louis to raise money for families with patients in the nearby Children’s Hospital. Amazing!! He is currently on an all-expense paid trip to the Middle East, courtesy of Uncle Sam.

Liz had an exciting year expanding her writing and crafting business at My Messy Desk. She is amazed at how God has used her words to reach over 5,000 views by people in 58 countries around the world. In June, she attended an inspiring conference for women in ministry put on by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Even though the publishers she met with didn’t jump at the chance to contract her book, she will keep writing it - look for more updates as the year progresses. Until May of 2016 she is also serving as the president of the women’s bible study group on Fort Hood and is passionate about encouraging women to grow spiritually. Her favorite memory of the year came during her mother’s 70th birthday celebration in June when the family took a short trip on the Potomac River (the boys insisted on paddling) in the canoe her parents bought in Maine decades ago.

Zachary turned 9 this year. He loved playing catcher (proud mama moment for sure to see him volunteer for this tough position in blistering Texas heat) for his baseball team this spring. He still loves math, serves on the Student Council at his school, enjoys playing the guitar (you should hear him play Amazing Grace) and rock climbing. On Liz’s birthday, his football team won the 10 and under flag football championship in Killeen with an undefeated season. He has been exceptionally responsible about caring for and training our newest addition to the family for whom he begged relentlessly - Sheldon the shelter dog who keeps us all on our toes (and has been great inspiration for some writing, too).

Nathaniel turned 7 this summer and is as active as any boy around and more coordinated than most his age. He played baseball and flag football, too. He is determined to never let the older kids out-do him, despite their advantage of height, size, and age. There is no challenge too great for this one and his tenacity will serve him well in life. His favorite place to play is at the school park as he is constantly working to master a new feat of strength on the monkey bars. His physical prowess is matched only by his master-builder status, so a trip to Lego Fest in Austin this fall put him right in his element. His claim to fame this year is catching the largest white bass ever caught in Belton Lake by a youth.

As you celebrate this year, remember that the real gift is receiving the presence of Christ in our lives.

It doesn’t matter if you were naughty or nice, we can all rejoice together at the reminder that Jesus came despite our unworthiness. He Came Anyway.

God gave His only Son for you. May this truth bring you peace, hope and joy throughout the new year and always.

Love,

Matt, Liz, Zachary, Nathaniel

(and Sheldon, too)

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6