Still waiting for the after. But grateful. These words describe our year.
In January, after waiting 18 months for a lot of things to resolve, we finally broke ground on a house renovation. At one point we hoped to be in by the start of school this past fall. Then our goal was "by Christmas". And now…well we just shouldn't say. We almost gave up on this project, twice, before it even began. We proceeded only after feeling God’s nudge that He was in this. And so we declare it is all His, including the timing of it. All that we are, and all that we have, are His.
We’ll just say that…we didn’t send Christmas cards this year, hoping instead that we can send “we’ve moved” cards soon in 2025.
We somehow still found time to do some interesting travel. In the spring, Aimee had a speaking engagement in Ft Lauderdale, and so we couldn’t resist all going, including Mary Lou. We found a house to rent in the old neighborhood next to Mary Lou’s old condo.
Then Aimee and Marshall were gifted a weekend at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee. Unfamiliar with the place, Aimee asked around and was told “drop everything and get on a plane”. And boy was that good advice. What a special place it is, and thank you God that Aimee and Marshall got to do this alone.
In June, Andy joined a group from KCC to visit Krakow in Poland, where they helped our Ukrainian friends, the Kravstov’s, run an FCA camp. Among other things, Andy was moved by a visit to Auschwitz, where his great grandfather was sent in early 1945 to gather intel shortly after it was liberated.
Reagan (now 7th grade), had a blast once again playing volleyball. She can often be found at the kitchen table creating some new artwork or baking delicious treats, all of which she shares so generously, much to our delight.
In September, the annual Impact staff retreat was held in San Miguel de Allende. It is a beautiful and historic city, but the real joy of this trip was once again the time spent with the great people who make up Impact Foundation. It really is a blessing to us that Aimee is surrounded by such a wonderful team.
September also brought The Gathering, this year in Austin. Texas didn’t disappoint. And in October, an NCF event in Scottsdale. It actually rained! But all of these events that we get to attend thanks to Aimee’s work connect us with people doing really cool things for God’s kingdom.
Back home, all of the kids’ athletic seasons were successful and, for Andy and Liam, ended with another trip to Sioux Falls for the Nike NXR meet.
We end the year still plugging along on the renovation. We're tired of the before, and can't wait for the after. It takes more of Marshall’s time than he ever imagined, and being simultaneously an architect and a client has been an awkward challenge. We don’t know how or when we’re going to finish, but we strive to be content in the waiting.
And, we are grateful to be in this together, with God.
Blessings to you,
Marshall, Aimee, Andy, Liam and Reagan
- Liam now is driving on a Learner's Permit!
- In the early part of spring track, Andy injured his heel and could not run for weeks, so he went out and got his first job working at Family Tree Nursery (landscape, not childcare!) for their busy spring season. But speaking of childcare, Andy was the teacher-helper for a second grade class at KCC, and the kids absolutely fell in love with him. He earned the nickname G.O.A.T.
- And speaking of injuries, Marshall dropped a concrete splashblock on his foot a couple weeks ago and broke his toe.
- Impact Foundation published a coffee table book, and Aimee's story is featured in another book written by our friends Bill and Dana coming out in March.
- And here's an update on The Wonder Project (going live in 2025).
- 2024 is the year Marshall gave in and started wearing reading glasses--they're all over the place now.
- (see more photos here)
