I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12–15
I’m sure we’re not the only ones for whom this is an issue. Try as we might to keep our Advent and Christmas seasons manageable, we still find our calendar filling up for December and early January. Don’t get me wrong, we thoroughly enjoy all these festive events. Nevertheless, we’ve been grateful for a chance to recoup and regroup these last few days before the winter quarter resumes. In addition to family activities like baking cookies, an indoor “snowball” fight, a candy cane hunt, touring local Christmas light displays, and celebrating the feasts of St. Nicholas and St. Lucia, here’s what occupied all our time the last few weeks.
CC Christmas party (Dec 4)
cookie walk at Zion (Dec 7)
Trail Life court of honor (Dec 10)
Advent Vespers, supper, and Christmas marketplace at the seminary (Dec 14)
SWA Christmas party (Dec 17)
Christmas pageant at Zion (Dec 22)
traveling and time in Fairfax, Sergeant Bluff, and Cedar Falls (Dec 22 – Jan 6)
preaching at Trinity in Fairfax (Dec 29)
an early surprise 40th birthday party attended by my family, my best friends from Fairfax/Bonesteel, and our pastors’ families from Brookings (Dec 29)
Although looking back on these events brings much happiness, we can’t help but look ahead to what’s coming in 2025, namely a call in April, graduation in May, and ordination and installation sometime this summer. It’s going to be a big year for our family.
Finally, I must send out a huge thank you to everyone who sent us Christmas cards and letters. As usual, they stretch across our entire living room, and we’re so very grateful. Your messages, prayers, and gifts mean the world to us. God bless you all!
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