Christmas Letter 2017

As I was addressing cards just now, I thought of you as I wrote your name and little things I wish I could say just to you— but it was only your envelope and I think writing on the outside of an envelope is considered tacky… by someone… or at least a “no-no” by the post office.  So…. since I will most likely NOT get that personal little thought written on your card, I’ll say something personal right now.  What is this life without relationships?  You people to whom we send these cards — family, friends- past and present— you have added and are adding ABUNDANCE to our lives.  When Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly”, well, YOU are the abundance for us.  More than ever, especially since we lost my sweet momma this summer, I am convinced that the abundance of life He meant for us is FILLED with people to love and people to love us.  I’ll take this opportunity to THANK YOU one more time for all the kindness shown and care given to our family over these months.  I think I can speak for my whole family— we are overwhelmed by you.  You are making this journey of grief tolerable, and even sweet, as you love on all of us and remember with us what a delight my momma was to so many.  Thank you.  Two words have never fallen so short.

This year, we became official parents of TWO teenagers. Crazy.  Julia dropped piano, added cheer {?!?!?!!?- I’ll leave it at at that} and sadly can’t make ballet work even though she still wants to continue.  She filled her summer with some really great things,  got her learner's license {another ?!?!?!?!?}, made some new friends and decided she wanted to work hard in school.  Brighton kept piano, decided to try out for quarterback {got second string}, became a teenager, started a pressure washing business, chose some really great friends and grew a mop of hair.  Some of these things matter. Some of them don't but I love that my kids are seeing things and deciding to go for it—whether it be activities, certain friends, mission trips, a position on the team, grades etc.  So I fight to hear what they are saying through all of these choices.  I fight to engage them in the busyness of back and forth and to and from.  I want to hear their thoughts that lead them to these places.  I fight to create the space that's "large" enough so they feel there's room to hear them in the fullness of a day.  Car time, kitchen time, table time, after bed-time, texting time, retreat time, homework time, couch time— I’ll take it wherever I can get it!

Jeff has made the transition to Christ Together as Associate Director.  Christ Together is doing on a national level what Jeff has been doing here in Fort Worth for the last 17 years— to be a catalyst to unify the evangelical churches in our city in order to give every man, woman and child multiple opportunities to see, hear and respond to the gospel.  He will continue to provide leadership and support locally as we both love this city and the churches that serve it.  

Me?  I write Christmas letters and drive kids around.  

Merry, merry Christmas to you.  We are grateful for each one of you.  I pray you fight to create a space large enough this Christmas to ponder the wonder of this Story we celebrate.  To elaborate on the hymn, O Holy Night, when He made His first appearance as a human, beginning another chapter in the Great Rescue, His desire was for our souls to FEEL their worth, to KNOW how much He loves us and how “WITH us” He wants to be.  He came.  He’s here.  He’s with us.