Christmas Letter, 2014...

December 12, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, here we are again.  Another year has gone by, seemingly faster than the last one.  For our family, 2014 has been blessed and busy.

I (Lisa) graduated from Northwest Nazarene University in May with my Master's Degree in Theology/Spiritual Formation.  I am currently spending most of my time homeschooling the kids, working with a youth worship band, leading our local quiz program, and trying my hand at writing fiction. 

Phil is the Associate Pastor at Durand Church of the Nazarene.  He has been busy working on curriculum development and upcoming small groups, preaching, and being actively involved in the spiritual formation of youth and young adults.  In his spare time, he fixes our vehicles, which break down at the most inopportune times, and plays life sized Tetris and Jenga, with our possessions, in the garage of our "temporary" rental house, which has less than 1,000 square feet of living space!  

     

We didn't take a vacation this year, but Phil, Lisa, Seth, and Grace spent a week in Nashville, this summer, for Q2014, and we've done plenty of traveling for other quiz related events, as well.  This fall, Caleb joined us in his first year of teen Bible quizzing, and, as a family, we took first place at the Tennessee Decades Quiz in September, which was amazingly fun!  We also traveled to Ferguson, MO, for the all star quiz in early December and are just enjoying the time we have with our many friends from all over the country, whenever we have a chance to spend the weekend with them! 

Seth turned 14 in September, which is a little surreal.  He is becoming such an incredible person, often putting the needs and wants of others ahead of his own and definitely focusing on serving others whenever possible.  He continues to excel at Bible quizzing and art, and he is happy as long as there is a steady supply of video games, pizza, and donuts!  We're not sure how much longer we will be able to afford to feed him! 

 

Grace released her first EP, "This is Grace," in October.  The whole process was incredible, and it's pretty amazing to have a professional recording under her belt at age 13.  Yes, 13.  That propels us into the "household with multiple teenagers" category.  I can remember when the kids were little and people would offer sympathy, knowing that the teenage years were coming.  I didn't understand it then, and I don't understand it now.  We wouldn't trade our teenagers for anything in the world.  They are a joy to us.  Grace also continues to excel at Bible quizzing and spends much of her time composing music and enhancing her piano and vocal skills.  And she checks her Facebook account... a lot...

Caleb continues to keep us all in line.  He turned 10 this year.  He is still playing piano and also began taking guitar lessons this fall.  Caleb has had a couple of top 10 finishes at district Bible quizzes, and he is a very valuable part of the team when he travels with us to invitationals!  It can be a little tricky to be "in between," not a teenager, like his older siblings, and not a little kid, like his younger siblings, but he actually says that he likes being in the middle!  We think it's because he gets to enjoy the best of both worlds! 

Ian will turn 8 the day after Christmas.  He continues to be the spice of life at our house, reminding us that not everyone in the world is an introvert, and there are some people who simply need to talk to others all day long, every day!  Ian is remarkably creative and is always coming up with new games and ideas.  He is invaluable when it comes to keeping Miah entertained with his natural rhythm and comedy.  Ian loves animals, and especially dinosaurs, and is likely to share random facts, regardless of the context.  This is sometimes awkward (does everyone really need to know about how to determine whether a mosquito is male or female), but mostly endearing.
      

Princess Miah is 4 1/2 now.  How time flies!  She is so sweet and loveable, and she really brings our family together, particularly since she is practically royalty in this house.  Miah spends her time reading stories, drawing, and planning spectacular, fancy balls (which really means we all show up in her bedroom and eat plastic food and dance).  She dreams of going to Disney World, since that's where Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins live.  She makes us smile, a lot.

We hope that as Christmas approaches you will all have some time to share with family and friends and to reflect on the reason we celebrate, and may the coming year be one of the best ones yet!

Much Love,

Phil, Lisa, Seth, Grace, Caleb, Ian, and Miah

Romans 12: 9-13

"Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in love.
Honor one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
Practice hospitality" (NIV).