A Look Back at 2017...

Merry Christmas, 2017! :)

As my Christmas letter didn't get mailed this year, I decided to do a Christmas blog. :)

A year ago, I could never have imagined all that God has done this year. It was a year of challenges, sorrow, growing, and God doing above and beyond what I could ask or think. You see, this year as we continued our "firsts" without Dad, we were reminded again and again how precious life is, family is, and, most importantly, God is. Some of the highlights and challenges of this year include:

• learning how to better manage my health which allowed more energy and strength. The schedule and diet are stringent to manage everything, but it is well worth it.
• a wonderful family vacation to Pictured Rocks with many adventures and much laughter.
• strength to be more involved in my church which has been a blessing. 
• my first 5K. Sure... it took an hour and a half due to rough terrain, but it was wonderful to complete it! 
• an opportunity to attend the Sing!17 conference, sing in the choir, and ... sing on stage at the Grand Ole Opry! Seriously! I never dreamt I would ever have that opportunity. The entire trip was more incredible as we saw God's provision, met dear brothers and sisters in Christ, and sang in a nearly 200-person choir and with several thousand people praising God! It was indescribable to have a chance to sing with Keith and Kristyn Getty, Laura Story, Joni Erickson Tada, and many, many others. We learned so much from being in the choir as well as the conference sessions. (And... not everyone has the opportunity to do all of the above while wearing a health mask. :) )
• sorrow as my oldest brother's unexpected death again taught us to appreciate life. Our family again joined together to walk through great sorrow. 
• growing as God took us through so many ups and downs. He used each new experience to draw us closer to Him and mold us into His image.

There are pictures below of some of our adventures. 

Looking forward to 2018, I am uncertain of the future. Yet, I know Who holds the future. God will carry us through the challenges of 2018. He is faithful and His mercies are new every morning.