“I've learned to stop trying to predict the future and simply roll with it, as I trust God to work it all out for the good, keep my eyes and heart fixed on heaven, take breaths in the times of peace, and hold on for dear life as we say yes to the Lord and yes to the Kingdom work He calls us to do. Cheers to growth, abiding with the Lord, and being flexible in 2020 and beyond.”
Ummmm yeah, I definitely couldn’t have predicted a fraction of what this year would hold, but those words are still as true today as they were then.
This year, we definitely had to be flexible and I clung so tightly to Scripture, and what I know to be true of God’s character and promises. And growth. Oh, the hard opportunities for growth!
I wrote these words days before we would visit a church in Oklahoma and feel the Lord calling our family to move across the country. A hard yes.
We would move a week before the country would begin shutting down due to the spread of an unknown virus. We began our ministry virtually and had a difficult time finding community in the midst of a pandemic.
Virtual church. Virtual army. Virtual meetings. Separation from family and friends. Racial inequality. Death. Riots. Masks. Shutdowns. Social distancing. A polarizing presidential election. And So. Much. Anger. I have never felt as angry as I’ve felt at times this year. It has challenged me and humbled me and shaped me in a way I’ve never known. Many of my core beliefs and ideas have been challenged this year, allowing me to be more firmly rooted in the Truth.
In the midst of it all, our little family thrived in unexpected ways. God, in His infinite wisdom and goodness, knew our family would need preparation for the military life to which He is calling us. We will need to learn to be a strong unit who relies on one another, and this year has certainly been practice for that!
God is gracious in that at the same time we had a huge move, leaving our hometown of 14 years for a brand new state, everyone became more accustomed to virtual communication like we’ve never know, enabling us to stay connected with community in a more natural way.
We’ve take countless drives and “adventures,” car picnics, and scavenger hunts just to get out of the house. We’ve scoped out every park in the city and found our favorite playground. We made the decision to homeschool and have all been thriving in it.
Some of the things we had hoped would happen in 2020 were...
- • Andrew to get a new job. ✅
- • Megan to write/blog more. ✅
- • Sammy starts preschool and turns 5. ✅
- • Maria turns 4 ✅ and learns to swim underwater.
- • Isaac turns 2 ✅ and potty trains.
- • See Elsa at the zoo. ✅
- • Andrew promote to 1LT. ✅
- • Sammy learns to swim without floaties.
- • Take a family vacation.
- • Celebrate our 10th anniversary ✅ and go on a cruise or vacation.
Some of them happened in unexpected ways, and others become utterly impossible due to Covid. We spent our tenth anniversary, not on our first solo vacation in over 5 years, but putting three kids to bed and having a steak dinner in our living room. We didn’t get the littlest potty trained. But it’s okay. If this year has taught me anything, it’s grace for others and myself.
So, 2021? I’m afraid to make any assumptions, but I have hope. For some returned normalcy. For dealing with one another more gently. For opportunities to love others well. For continued growth through the hard things. For continuing to live under God’s faithfulness and goodness.
A few of the things we hope 2021 holds:
- • Andrew finishing his Master of Divinity (second Master’s degree)!
- • Andrew commissioning active duty as an Army Chaplain.
- • Continuing to invest in ministry here in Enid and deepening relationships with people here.
- • Beginning homeschool kindergarten for S and continuing homeschool preschool for M and I.
- • Continuing to grow my Color Street business and promoting to Team Leader.
- • Continuing to invest in the health of our family—preparing and cooking whole and healthy meals, as well as regular exercise and activity.
- • I turns 3 and hopefully be potty trained.
- • S turns 6 and wants to learn to swim under water without floaties.
- • M turns 5 and wants to see Elsa in Disney World. 😳 (her words)
My word for 2021 is “solid.” A reminder that God is a solid rock upon whom I trust, regardless of circumstance. A reminder of the strength and unity of our family. A reminder of solid and true friendships that outlast distance. A reminder of who I am and what I can accomplish. That we can do the hard things and stand firm in a strength larger than our own. 2021 will be solid.
Happy new year! May it be full of hope, blessing, and joy! 🥂
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