Dear friends and family,
2009 has been a year of firsts for our family. We have had many wonderful memories, and also some trials to face this year, but through it all, have seen God’s faithfulness. We hope that by sharing these with you, you’ll be encouraged and reminded of His great love for us.
Isaac, the 10 year old big brother, attended his first Cub Scout day camp this summer, which was a great experience. He achieved awards for great archery and BB gun shooting, making a bull’s eye in each event, as well as learning some great teamwork skills. James now serves as leader for Isaac’s den and they enjoy that father-son activity. Isaac continues to do well physically, and recovered so well from his club foot surgery last year, he played flag football for the first time this fall, making many interceptions, and really enjoying the sport.
Abigail, our princess, is now 7, and began taking lessons in Irish Dance this past year. Through it, she’s found a wonderful way to use her gifts of energy, coordination, and physical strength in a very entertaining format. She delights us with her skill at performing, and also helps me so much, as another little mama to Elijah. She played flag football as well, and with her great speed, was able to score several times.
Elijah has grown up so much and is a very busy boy. He moved to his own bed to share a room with Isaac in the fall, and adjusted easily to not being with Mama and Daddy at night. He continues to light up our lives with his silly antics and fun conversations. He is looking forward to his Elmo party this weekend, since he turns 2 on December 15th.
This summer, we were shocked to learn that we were expecting another baby, for the first time without months of trying or medication or even praying for another baby! The first appointment caused us to have concern that the pregnancy wasn’t going to end well, so there was quite a test of faith as we had to surrender to God’s will being best for us. We rejoiced when we saw that little heartbeat at the follow-up ultrasound, and have adjusted to the idea of becoming a family of 6. We still marvel at God’s ways sometimes, since this surprise has changed what we had thought the plan was for our family. We are expecting Owen Thomas to arrive sometime after the new year, and can hardly wait to meet him.
James and I tried a new venture this summer in our town, as Helena hosted its first farmers’ market. I made a variety of all-natural fruit butters, and they sold very well. It was a wonderful way to connect more with our community, and work with a friend on selling products we made at home. We only did it for half of the summer, since pregnancy-related nausea didn’t mix well with the heat and being up before dawn with 3 children, especially every other week when James was working and not always able to help me set up the booth. We learned a lot through the experience and would love to do it again sometime.
My brother Jacob married his sweet Caroline in August, and we had a lovely family celebration at their wedding. We wrapped up the summer with a beach trip, for the first time sharing a condo with my parents for part of the time. It was a beautiful, relaxing week.
We are in our fourth year of homeschooling, and this first semester has gone well. Both children are learning and growing at their own paces, which I am thankful to witness daily. I still serve as administrator of our church’s cover school, and we have been on some amazing field trips this year to theatre productions, farms, museums, and hiking and enjoying nature together.
James’ precious dad, our Pop, died on November 3rd. We have been missing him greatly, and his death was quite a shock to us, and the first loss of a parent for either of us. We trust he is healthy and pain-free now, and that gives us comfort. Owen’s middle name is to honor this great man we love so dearly.
We continue to be grateful for our church family, and enjoy serving at Shelby Crossings in several ministries and sharing life with other believers. They have shared the ups and downs of this year with us like family does, and we are so blessed.
James ventured back to the NICU at Children’s for a few months earlier this year, but missed his position on the Critical Care Transport Team greatly. God worked some details out so that he could return to the job he loves so much, and where he is certainly gifted. He misses his wonderful coworkers in the NICU, but knows he is where God has prepared him to be. Thankfully, he has a great respiratory therapist for a partner and they enjoy working together as a team. He still works nights, from 7 pm to 7 am, every other week, plus a good many extra hours as well. Lately he has had some difficult shifts with very sick patients, which he says makes his work very rewarding as he can help those children while they are in his care, and God constantly reminds him of how grateful we should be for our healthy family. We are also thankful for James’ willingness to work very hard to support our family, which allows me to be a full-time mom and teacher to our children.
These words, from a series our Pastor Ken has preached on recently, have really meant a lot in a year filled with questions, grief, and waiting. As we have learned in First Peter, suffering and difficulties that come in this world shouldn’t surprise us as believers, and there is hope after the struggles of this life as well. In closing, I hope these words encourage you as we face 2010:
1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
With His love,
James, Jennifer, Isaac, Abigail, & Elijah Vines (Owen too!)
