The end of one year, the beginning of another . . .
I've said it before and it's still true: I wish Danny and I could sit down across the table from you, and over mugs of hot coffee (or your beverage of choice) pour out our hearts about the ways we've each seen Christ at work over the past year. But, because of time and/or distance, this poor attempt at a year-end blog update will have to do for now. (Feel free to have a hot cup of coffee with me while you read it!)
Along with millions of others, I gather a few moments here and there to pause and remember what 2009 has held for our family. And to resolve to do better with certain things in 2010. It hasn't been an easy year, in a lot of ways. But it's been a good one. Because God is good - so good He sent His only Son Jesus to be born in an unassuming little stable in Bethlehem, so He could later give His life to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). He's offered us eternal life and salvation from our sins! Everything else is just gravy, really.
Speaking of gravy, God has gifted us with a lot of it! Danny and I are so thankful for each other and for our 4 little munchkins. Here is a brief update on their craziness:
Rachel (Shrumshine)
This year Rachel turned 7 and began second grade. She has loved being involved as a Spark in the AWANA program - it keeps her, and us, accountable to memorize Scripture regularly. She also enjoyed playing soccer this spring, with Daddy as her coach. We thought the soccer was a good idea, since everything else in her life is about as girly as it gets. Her great loves are spending time with friends, talking, helping me around the house, BTO Yogurt, talking, reading "Magic Tree House" books, writing in her journal, and talking. If you're ever tempted to ask her what a book is about, trust me - you will save time by actually reading the book! She has a very chatty side, but she can also be very reflective, asking questions that often make me stop and think, or tell her to wait and ask her dad when he gets home! Other words to describe her would be: imaginative, bossy, dramatic, craft queen. Oh, and she also has the best smile ever - so sweet.
Zeke (Beef Man)Now that he's 5 and in kindergarten, Zekers has begun referring to himself as "Ezekiel", but skeptical Mommy doesn't think it will stick. I have never been around a child who loves school, and riding the bus, so much. He loves doing "centers" with his classmates. He loves to read. And he loves to talk very loudly. His teacher recently informed me that he is the loudest student in his class, by a very wide margin. Zekers is completely transparent: what you see is what you get. His big accomplishment this year was learning to ride his bike. He has also enjoyed being an AWANA Spark. He played soccer with Rachel, and loved it until he discovered (around the 4th game) that it involved running! He is, and always will be, his own little person, operating on his own timetable. He becomes extremely offended (and lets me know it!) when I fix something for dinner that he doesn't care for, but he's also the first one to thank me when I make something he likes. While Rachel is in school and the other 2 are napping, we've spent some fun afternoons together, working on school stuff or playing board games (he always wins).
Karis (Bop Bop)Karis turned 4 in August, and she's our little split personality. She has a mind of her own and has been on the receiving end of more spankings than all three of her siblings combined. But she's also a super sweet little aspiring mommy. Her favorite things are: playing house, singing, screaming, playing any kind of imaginative game, playing with friends, calling the shots, and going to Broadway Joe's for hot chocolate. When she's with a lot of people, she's pretty quiet, but get her one-on-one, and your ears will ring with her squawky voice, going on and on. Just when we begin to despair that her stubbornness and rebellion will never get any better, she tells us that she can't wait until she gets to heaven, because she won't sin anymore and she wants to see Jesus. She's such a little thing and can't ever seem to keep her pants up, yet she can beat up her older 2 siblings without much effort. What can I say? She keeps us all on our toes. This is Karis' second year to attend AWANA Cubbies - learning Bible verses, seeing puppet shows, doing crafts and learning more about Jesus.
Malachi (Mr. Moo or
Wheezer)At 2, he's a tank, although you wouldn't guess it to look at him. Nearly every day when Danny arrives home from work, he's greeted by a head-butt and attempted tackle from Moo. I guess the youngest of four has to be tough to survive! He's got a fun little personality, and has always been my super snuggler. Every time he gets out of bed, he runs to me for snuggles - too sweet. I've also realized lately that I MIGHT have spoiled him just the tiniest bit, and am doing my best to stop (most of the time). He can be very demanding and has quite a temper. He loves to yell "THANK YOU!", he loves to play with Karis while the other 2 are at school, he loves to pray before meals - for
everyone he knows, he loves pizza, and he loves to make his brother and sisters laugh. He started going to "big boy" Sunday School for the first time this fall, and he really likes his class and teachers.
Danny & CharityThis year has brought lots of growth for us, too. In September we spent a wonderful week in North Carolina on our first family vacation. The church has continued to grow, which has brought some unexpected blessings, as well as challenges (but mostly blessings). Our nursery is exploding, as are all the children's classrooms.
Danny feels incredibly blessed to be serving in a job he loves. He has preached through maybe 2 of the toughest books of the Bible: Leviticus and Ecclesiastes. He's been stretched as his ministry has broadened this year to include much more counseling of couples, individuals and even families. He continues to be very involved in fantasy sports, as well - a vital part of life. He has done a wonderful job of leading our home. It brings such joy to my heart to see him wrestling around with the kiddos after work, making them squeal and belly laugh. But he also pours into them spiritually. He's had many meaningful conversations with the older three about things that truly matter. He bought Rachel her first "real" study Bible this summer, which she carries with her everywhere.
I have continued to be a part of 'Grace Moms', a group where younger moms come monthly to spend time together, be challenged in their walk, and be mentored by more seasoned moms. I also enjoy being part of a church worship team once every three weeks. Mostly, I'm thankful to be able to stay home with my children and to love and support Danny. It is a privilege I don't want to take for granted. I am thrilled to report that I ran my first 5K (hopefully not the last!) with some friends in June. My time was not noteworthy enough to put down, but I was proud of myself just for finishing!
This has been an odd year for me, health-wise. From February to September, I had a series of "episodes", involving the most intense pain I've ever experienced, along with many other unpleasant symptoms. For a period of time, they seemed to hit mostly after I ran in the mornings. The worst of these caused me to go unconscious for several hours and spend a few days in the hospital. Many tests were done, all of which came up negative. So . . . we aren't any closer to figuring out the cause of these mysterious episodes, the last of which hit over our vacation; but they seem to have tapered off for now, and I can live with that!
Also, in October I had surgery on my left ear and have regained much of the hearing I'd lost in the past 7 years (due to hormone changes, the dr. says)! It's wonderful to be able to actually follow conversations and not continually ask people to repeat themselves; not so wonderful to realize the full volume of fighting and carryings-on around here! But it has been a true gift from God, for which I am grateful.
The words from Handel's
Messiah, taken from Isaiah 53, haunt even as they comfort:
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . . he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by His wounds we are healed. What beautiful, beautiful words.
The perfect Son of God, born to die . . . then to defeat the grave by being raised from the dead and seated at God's right hand . . .
Immanuel - God with us - born to save us from our sins . . . Jesus.
May this Christmas fill you with wonder and gratitude for undeserved gifts . . . for family . . . for friends . . . for health . . . and for the greatest gift of all: LIFE! Merry Christmas!
Love, Danny, Charity, Rachel, Zeke, Karis & Malachi
As scary as the roads were yesterday, the thought of being cooped up in the house for one more day was even scarier. So, the kiddos and I stuck with our plan to visit Newport Aquarium. We left the house at 7:30, cereal bars and bananas in hand, and made our way down 49, which ended up being a little slick, but not as bad as I'd thought. The crazy thing was the fog. It was so dense, we couldn't see anything to either side of us, and could barely make out the car just ahead. We'd been driving for about 40 minutes, when suddenly, the sun came out, the fog cleared and even the road seemed much drier - all within about 15 seconds. I noticed at the same time that we were just passing the sign that announced the end of Darke County. No joke! The farther south we drove, the more it seemed like a different world than the one we'd just left. 
Due to having to drive more slowly, and to some morning traffic on I-75, we arrived about 9:30 and soon after, met up with my sister Sarah and her little girl, Addie, who will be 3 in May. During the months of Jan - Feb, 2 kids get in free ($30 savings) with each adult admission ($22). So I got 2 in free, and Sarah got Addie and one of mine in free. I debated about whether to mess with taking Malachi, but finally decided to take all four and just pay the extra child's admission. It was totally worth it. I have rarely heard him squeal the way he did when I helped him "pet" the "baby sharks". The only bummer was that my mom and sister Hannah weren't able to go this year. I was a bit hesitant to take all four kiddos that far without Grandma there to help out, but they did beautifully. (Except for one head-butt and one running-off episode!)
