Holding on...

Happy New Year! For many, this day is a day of celebration and gatherings with loved ones. For us, it's always been a bittersweet day - a day of good-byes. Whether we're leaving CA or OR at the end of a fun, family filled trip or having family leave us, there are always good-byes to be said. Today it was "good-bye" to our Grammy and Poppy, good-bye to all our Christmas decorations along with all the anticipation, excitement and celebration they represent, good-bye to the fun filled few weeks we've had without work and school and with family in our home.

It seems as though these good-byes to our family would somehow get easier, but they never do. For a short 2 weeks, we were blessed to be surrounded by people who are naturally the most loyal, committed, supportive and loving to us in all the world... a peek into what some people get to experience daily or weekly. Our family is so very dear to us and they bring so much joy to our lives. For some, having company can be draining, for us, it is invigorating!

God's plans for our life have not included living near to family. And even though we can accept this and appreciate the growth He's allowed in us because of it, we will nevertheless miss them, long for their presence and experience homesickness in their departure. However, we know without a doubt that God knows and cares for us deeply and only wants what is eternally best for us. One of my favorite quotes by Elizabeth Prentiss is this, "but my comfort is in my perfect confidence in the goodness and love of my Father, my certainty that He has a reason in thus afflicting us that I would admire and adore if I knew what it was." We have no other option than to trust His plans completely.

We have so many, many reasons to thank Him daily in our lives. My intention is not to complain - we know how very blessed we are - and we know that as we look ahead at the year to come we have every reason to be filled with hope and joy in anticipation of what and who He brings about in our lives!!

Here are some photos of the last 2 weeks with family:

Papa wrestling with Kaden

Gary got really sick with bronchitis and we had to take a trip to Urgent Care, so the first few days we just laid low. Here he and Kylee are "sailing away" on a ship!

Puppet show!

Jim's dad always loves to help us out with home projects - this trip they replaced the doors! It was great to see them working side by side.

The last night of Jim's parents stay, the men were finishing up with the doors and as Jim was attempting to get the knob and lock in place, he somehow got himself locked in the bathroom and it was hilarious watching him and his parents try to get him out!