This is who we are! This picture was taken the last time we were all together in 2003. Eric and Rachel were engaged and Jen and Howard were visiting for the holiday. It was a blast! So much laughter and joy to know that our family was suddenly growing and we were getting two new family members.
Because we've not all been together at the same time in over 5 years, our understanding of eternity comes all the more into focus. Because one of us has served 3 of the last 4 Christmases being militarily deployed, eternity is something we hold very dear and understand very literally.
Last year we were 7 adults and 2 little grandaughters living in 3 different countries and 6 different cities in the World and Unitied States of America. Because we lived apart, we learned lessons that we probably would not have learned as quickly or as deeply in any other way. What did we learn?
We learned to reach outside our own family and to rely on others for friendship, comfort, assistance; and to love and to give those same things in return to those outside our family circle. We learned that when trouble comes, we can get to each other in less than a day and everything is still okay.
Additionally we became aware of growth and development which came to each of us in great spurts and in huge leaps. We learned that moments of sadness pass and even though we did long to see each other and give those expressions of love that we did miss acutely, love surpasses miles and time barriers and helps us carry on. We learned staying busy would help time fly. We learned to rejoice in the blessings that we can see and count today.
This year we are only seperated by 3 different cities. Clay came home from Guatemala and Howard came home from Bagdad, Iraq. The gap that had seperated us began to close almost over night as these two family members returned home to us. We are always aware that Heavenly Father kept these two men in his care and answered many prayers because they both lived in very dangerous places.
The new children in our lives brought new light and helped us remember one of the main purposes of life. . . building a strong eternal family unit that continues to increase and grow. As we became aware of the gifts they brought to us along with their unique "challenges" we found joy again. We were taught that learning right along with them, all over again, the lessons we already learned before is important to our own well-being.
Would we trade these experiences or wish them away? Nope! Though we feel like we've run a marathon or played in the superbowl of life's challenges, we thankful for this brief sprint in growth that came to each one of us. Now that 2008 is over we look back and know that a life without challenge is not a happy life. We may think we're happy but really happiness only comes through accepting challenges as they come and working through them.
Additionally we became aware of growth and development which came to each of us in great spurts and in huge leaps. We learned that moments of sadness pass and even though we did long to see each other and give those expressions of love that we did miss acutely, love surpasses miles and time barriers and helps us carry on. We learned staying busy would help time fly. We learned to rejoice in the blessings that we can see and count today.
This year we are only seperated by 3 different cities. Clay came home from Guatemala and Howard came home from Bagdad, Iraq. The gap that had seperated us began to close almost over night as these two family members returned home to us. We are always aware that Heavenly Father kept these two men in his care and answered many prayers because they both lived in very dangerous places.
The new children in our lives brought new light and helped us remember one of the main purposes of life. . . building a strong eternal family unit that continues to increase and grow. As we became aware of the gifts they brought to us along with their unique "challenges" we found joy again. We were taught that learning right along with them, all over again, the lessons we already learned before is important to our own well-being.
Would we trade these experiences or wish them away? Nope! Though we feel like we've run a marathon or played in the superbowl of life's challenges, we thankful for this brief sprint in growth that came to each one of us. Now that 2008 is over we look back and know that a life without challenge is not a happy life. We may think we're happy but really happiness only comes through accepting challenges as they come and working through them.
And finally, the girls in this family came to appreciate the men very much. Because we lived without them for a a couple of years, we know they are gifts from God and we need them and love them more than words will ever express. Yes Siree!
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