2024 wrap up

Lynn Canyon Park- Vancouver, British Columbia

Connie with sister-in-law Lois.

Some things just didn't get to the blog this year.

But, wanted to post a couple highlights.

 Our trip to Canada in September was a beautiful trip.

Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver

Beautiful Stanley Park in Vancouver

L to Right- John, brother David, David's wife Kathy,

 sister Lois and Connie

Van Deussen Gardens

 

Siblings-Time just hanging out telling stories.

We ended our trip with a train trip 

through the Canadian Rockies. 

Vancouver to Edmonton

Just stunning wildness and beauty.

A very fun experience. 

As this year comes to a close we give thanks 

for God's goodness in the care and recovery

 of son in law Daniel. 

I haven't written much of this story here, 

but it the central part of our lives for 2024 since Aug 10.

Lord, if it be your will continue 

to restore all senses to Daniel. 

Give them the strength to go through

 the changes and adaptations.

Bring Dan  and Jess closer together

 in their life walk and closer to you.

In all of the events, people and challenges of 2024,

 we give you thanks and praise 

for walking with us on this journey.

Bless our family in 2025.

 

Soul-Tending Reading 2024

The Soul-Tending Reading List for 2024

His Unfolding Grace- Peterson

Sacred Rest- Cheryl Wunderlich

The Living Reminder- Henri Nouwen

How the Light Shines Through- Lakes

A Passion for the Impossible - 

The Life of Lilias Trotter- Rockness

Reflections on the Psalms- C.S. Lewis

Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace- VanBuskirk

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry- Comer

Jesus, Be in Me- Hornsby

An Unhurried Leader- Failing

Called 2Be- Guse

Restless Devices- Wong

New Morning Mercies- Tripp

These books made it on the reading stack this year.

I read them.

I have a stack this big that did not even get cracked open.

But, they were on the stack.

Good intentions are just that.

I am thankful for the arrangement of life

 that makes reading important. 

At this stage in life I am allowed

 to tote a book around all the time.

But, I rarely get big swatches of reading time, 

so this is what happens with snippets of reading.

SO..  if you think you don't have time for reading...

give it a try. 

Piece together 10 minutes here and there.

Here is the page that has the last 12 years of reading stacks.

soul-tending-reading-2012.html

Gordon is 8

 

Birthday Breakfast for Gordon.

(The Shark)

Family Birthday outing with cousins, 

Aunt Sara and Papa and Gigi.

We went to see Mufasa.

Then time for make your own pizza.

Gift opening included a remote control car,

and a megaphone.

This is a fun new game.

We learned about this Bruder set. German made.

Lots of details.

Can see why Gordon sees this 

special toy as really cool.

• Bruder uses high-grade plastics used in real automobiles.
• They are manufactured in Germany to ensure quality.
• European Union countries have stricter guidelines for factories.

Sister Hadley thinks it is pretty cool too.

Shark cupcakes for the win 

for a very fun gathering for the 

birthday celebration of Gordon.

May the Lord bless your next year with good health

 and growth in grace and kindness.

 

Christmas Family Blessings-2024

 

Gathering of the family for 

Christmas 2024 this year.

The Wilson clan.

The Schumacher crew.

Sisters- Sara and Laura and sisters Hadley and Lainey.

Mom and daughters.

The Meier troop were in Florida 

with family this year. 

 Here they are gathered 

at worship on Christmas Eve.

So many things we are thankful for this year.

God in His goodness has brought healing

 and recovery for Daniel.

We continue to pray for job opportunities for Joshua Schu 

for football with the closing of Concordia Ann Arbor.

We give thanks for healing from a hip replacement for John

Another one set for early January.

We give thanks for the blessings showered on

 Visual Faith® Ministry.

We have been blessed to do a house remodel 

and and are enjoying the new spaces. 

Most of all we give thanks for health,

wellness and faith in Jesus.

Advent Pathway - 2024

 

 Advent Pathway- 2024

This was my journey for Advent this year.

Some other deadlines were taking much time 

this year and this was just what I needed- Doable.

I seem to gravitate to Henri J.M. Nouwen writings

 for both Advent and Lent.

Some favorite phrases for this year:

radically new, through the chaos,

open embrace, patient expectation,

build the Kingdom, and the story for all time.

Some spots to land on days of waiting for a miracle

 and the great advent to come.

Supplies:

Visual Faith® Ministry Advent Calendar

advent-calendar-pathway-2024

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel devotion-

Creative Communication for the Parish

House Reno- Nov and Dec 2024

Working to get the latest updates 

for November and December. 

Seems like the past 2 months have been a blur.

Getting the extra space ready for littles has been fun. 

We had to bring home all the things 

stored in the storage unit on December 4.

  So it was a juggle to unpack all that 

AND get Christmas decor out for the month.

John's office space, music room and guest room.

Fun to see the big table ready for meals together.

 Shiny Brights in bowls and on trees.

Just using what I had in the house- but maybe new ways.

A few more views from the office space.

Nativities are all around and some 

long-time loved ornaments and displays.

 The children's book cupboard, guest room with bed swag

 and the great room space.

Some living room views

                                       and collections in the step-back cupboard.

Details emerge and exploring seeing where the old things 

                     fit in the old spaces and new spaces.                          

 

The past few weeks have been busy ordering 

final house things and returning things we didn't need. 

Still finalizing getting some replacement things.

Spent some time redoing wreaths.

It has been awhile.

The  very old ceiling tile piece got hung.

Purchased this about 20 years ago at an antique store.

The story is that it is from a Civil War era 

 old building in downtown Richmond.

The deck got finished and sets off the back of the house.

Stairway to heaven?

Just having great fun sharing it with family.

What a blessing that our very long wait 

for a remodel has finally happened.

Thank you, Lord.