I must admit that, this year, my
reflection letter is more difficult to write than ever before, when it really
should be one of the simplest to type up and send out. I’ve looked at my computer screen for days
with nothing but my closing quote picked out and notes with a few of Kirstyn’s
and James’ major accomplishments to share.
You have done what Romans 12:9-16 asks.
You have been faithful in prayer.
You have mourned with us. So now
that I have nothing but good things to share, I have no idea why I hesitate to
allow you to also rejoice with us.
Matthew 11:28 tells us, “Come to
me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This year we have had some time together to
res t, rebuild, and reconnect. We asked for rest in Him and our prayers were
answered. We did not have to take our
children to a single funeral or explain to them any more terrible
illnesses. While the flu went through
our house, none of us had to go to the hospital. As a family, we were able to travel to Hawaii
and Port Aransas for vacations during the summer.
I had two positive oncologist
visits this year. This summer we made
the decision for me to not drive for a month, so I could try a new seizure
medication. The results of that change
have been fantastic. My energy level is
up and I am able to think much more clearly now. We believe I am also having fewer night time
mini-seizures now, as I am having less eye issues. We just increased my night dose again in
December and I am experiencing very few side effects with this medication and
for that we are so very thankful. My
favorite day each week is Wednesday, when I study the Word at BSF. We finished the book of John last semester
and this fall we are studying Romans.
David is still enjoying his job
with Pearson Air. He was able to coach
James’ basketball team last winter and then this past fall helped coach the
defensive line for his 4th grade tackle football team. We still do not take for granted the blessing
of having him home for dinner every night and here with us every Saturday.
Kirstyn finished 7th
grade with numerous awards and straight A’s in all Pre-AP classes and is doing
the same this year in the 8th grade. She made Show Choir this year, was in the
spring musical and the fall play, she plays keyboard twice per month for our
KidsRock praise team, and occasionally sings in church. It seems we are often
watching her on a stage, and I am constantly impressed by her talent and
confidence.
James is in the 4th
grade. He has been in advanced classes,
and has been in the Gifted and Talented program. He recently read 8 books and tested the
highest. This allowed him to be his
school’s team captain for a district Battle of the Books. He has also been invited to be on a 4th
– 6th grade UIL Number Sense team that will also compete this spring
at District. He played basketball and
football. He says football is the most
fun because “he is big and he gets to tackle and because he is pretty good at
it, too.” He did find his hustle this
season and even with 22 boys on his team, he got to play both ways the entire
game and he got at least one sack every game!
The kids got brave and spent a week
totally off the grid at Brookhill Ranch Camp in Hot Springs. Their faith in the Lord was deepened and
their relationship with each other was strengthened.
Both kids have played golf and
taken lessons all year! In the junior
league they play in, they have started playing on the same team. Kirstyn has started using my dad’s driver,
fitted with a new pink grip, and James has gotten very good at reading the
greens and putting. One very hot summer
night we watched them eagle a hole when Kirstyn drove the green and James sank
a very long putt!
I’ll leave you with a quote from the
book ‘Wonder’ that James’ class read this year and a movie we really enjoyed as
a family. “The best way to measure how
much you’ve grown isn’t by inches or the number of laps you can now run around
the track, or even your grade point average – though those things are
important, to be sure. It’s what you’ve
done with your time, how you’ve chosen to spend your days, and whom you’ve
touched this year. That, to me, is the
greatest measure of success.” R. J. Palacio, Wonder
No comments:
Post a Comment