I was looking through my year of photos and videos last night and realized I looked happy. Not that happy is the goal, but more like contentedness and just this feeling that I was exactly where I was meant to be. And yes, happy. Trevor said to me that he couldn't ever remember a season of simplicity like this.
I know everyone is carrying hard things and that some years are harder than others but it has felt like a long season for us. From our years as a foster family, the goodbyes and hellos and outright pain that season caused our family, to the loss of significant relationships due to differing beliefs about racism, politics, and the pandemic and my cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment and then our move - it has been a long hard season of pain.
The pace of life our family is in has brought restoration and healing. For me personally, this year brought clarity in my call to ministry and I feel like I am just getting started pursuing what God has for me.
This year Trevor got to travel and see his Grandma before she passed away. She was an incredible woman whose legacy lives on in our kids. I got to take Camden to San Diego for his 10 Year Adventure, which was huge for him and also for me as I don't love traveling anymore. Seeing his face light up with pure joy when he saw the Red Pandas at the San Diego Zoo, the shows at Sea World, and swimming in warm water for the first time was perfect. Trevor took Christian to San Fransisco for his 10 Year Adventure and they had a blast attending a Warriors game, riding a bike across the Golden Gate bridge, and going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Trevor and I got to see my favorite basketball player, and the greatest of all time, LeBron James play in Portland, I celebrated 1 year in remission from cancer, we got 6 chicks and they have brought us so much joy. Yes, it was a lot of setup and work in the beginning (thanks Trev!) but now they are so fun and are starting to lay eggs! My sister and her fiance came to visit in July which was amazing and so much fun, and we had several family members come for a BBQ. It was so good to spend so much time with family.
We went to several Beaver baseball games and football games, which is always a highlight. I even got to participate in a football throwing contest on the field. I went to Portland for a Pastor's Conference with Shawn, I went back later to cheer Amy on in her Half-Marathon, Trevor and I went for a date day and the four of us went back just before Christmas for a concert.
The twins turned 11 in February and we had Trevor's parents here before they moved as well as my Mom. Jack turned 14 in August and had a Lord of the Rings-themed party with some of his friends from school and we did his party early so our visiting family could be here.
The boys all went to church camp together, and although Camden got sick, they had a great time and I survived my anxiety about it. We took several trips to Southern Oregon for orthodontia, my oncologist, and also for a late Christmas celebration.
We hosted District Assembly here at our church in May and while it was a big undertaking, it is a highlight for me. I became a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist with the Grief Recovery Method and Trevor is doing some work in Pastoral Counseling as well.
I am so excited to begin 2023 as a part of a cohort through Propel Women called, Ecclesia. Ecclesia is a 6-month cohort experience for women in ministry developed by Christine Caine & Tara Beth Leach. This cohort equips and empowers women in ministry. The goal is to leave the 6-month experience empowered for mission, equipped for local church leadership, and supported through lasting relationships. I will travel to Southern California in February to meet my cohort along with the others, and all the coaches. My prayer is to enter my Year of Mentoring this year with our District as well, with ordination in the Church of the Nazarene taking place in May of 2024.
I am so thankful for this year and for God's faithfulness through it all.
Enjoy some pics!
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