Pa Rump Bum Bum Bum

Looking back on 2007 reminds us of how we’ve been busy and how we’ve been blessed.

Seats on planes have been numerous — the whole family flew to California for Amy’s brother’s wedding, to a family reunion in Colorado, and to Texas for work, as well as relaxation with Joshua’s family. Not to mention Joshua and Serena flying to Texas for a week in September and Amy and Serena taking their turn in Arizona in December. (Hey, she’s free ‘til she’s 2!)

And the keys ter the car have fired up the engine for quick trips to New Jersey where we caught up with friends, to the hills of West Virginia for a retreat, to a conference at Montreat, and to North Carolina for Thanksgiving.

But we haven’t done all the traveling. Both sets of Serena’s grandparents came for her baptism. Her Aunt Elisa and new cousin Ava visited from Utah so the girls could meet. And her Uncle Jonah and Aunt Lydia, the newlyiest-weds in Joshua’s family, came in from Oklahoma.

Rearing Serena is an adventure and a pleasure. She celebrated her 1st birthday halfway through a year in which she learned to walk, talk, “read” books, sign words, dance, chase the dog, stack blocks, climb stairs (and lots of other things), take a bath, use a fork, and baa like a sheep. Luckily, it wasn’t all in the same day, but almost– we’re lucky to stay a close step behind her. And as anyone who’s had a toddler knows, she’s brought new joy to small things like bare feet in fresh spring grass, summer wading in the creek, the dairy-air at a fall festival, and the enticing twinkle of Christmas lights.

The tail of Joshua’s life includes lots of daddying, spurts of housework, surprising organization, increasingly skilled home remodeling, hours of soccer refereeing, and occasional rounds of disc golf. He volunteers a ton at the church as a valuable partner in Amy’s ministry, youth Sunday school teacher, and inquirer in the ordination process. And he’s even taken a crack, quite successfully, at worship band leadership.

The bottom line in Amy’s life has been a challenging and enjoyable ministry focused on young adults and alternative worship leadership. She’s also become adept at juggling mommying and meetings and is pleased to provide valuable moral support in the old-house remodeling process.

Speaking of buns,* most of you know there’s another one in the oven, due to arrive around the end March. The gender will remain a surprise again, but we do know that both Amy and baby are healthy.

*In hindsight, you may notice some barely veiled references. Obviously, you've found your way here to our blog to check your powers of perception - you'll find the intentional references in green.

We hope your Christmas and the coming New Year are filled with the peace of Christ.