Christmas Letter 2022

There are only a couple of times a year that I welcome a mess in my kitchen and the holidays are one of them.  There’s a certain comfort in these strange things making an appearance that NEVER do any other months of the year…. caramel to smother apples with, pie crusts, the massive bird we stick in the oven for hours on end, Pyrex dishes of the most delicious carbs we taste only during these months--just to name a few.  And as many of you are experiencing right along with us as empty nesters, we look forward to the nights empty bedrooms are full of previous precious inhabitants and their stuff. So as I type, Brighton is burning some pavement on 1-20 on his way home from Abilene and Julia will be coming soon after. 

People have mixed feelings about empty nesting and I completely get it.  Yes, there is a freedom that comes with it, but also the challenge of a new level of trust in the Lord to care for children not under our roof anymore whose lives begin to get more complicated as “adulting” begins-- bigger decisions, more responsibility, and more freedom.  So as Jeff and I are getting used to the house looking the same in the morning as it did when we went to sleep, {and our charging cords where we left them} we are also depending more on the Lord to care for and lead our kiddos!  And life goes on…. 

Jeff continues his work with business leaders through Leaderxchange, helping them know their identity in Christ and their God given purpose in the business world.  This happens through a monthly luncheon and weekly Core leadership groups.  He gets to do this with a great group of people who serve on his board.  Life change happens in any realm the gospel is shared. I continue to serve as Womens Director at Watermark Fort Worth and count it a privilege to get to be a part of people’s lives in this way. The Lord has used my time with this church family and staff family to change me in ways I could have never expected.  Our new news is that out of Watermark FW, Jeff and I, with some other wonderful, amazing, incredible people, will plant a church, offering another location to gather like Watermark FW in a different part of town—and we pray this multiplication will continue to happen all over our city.  

Julia and Brighton are in the grind of college classes—Brighton adding football to his time at Hardin Simmons and Julia adding 2 part time jobs to her class schedule.  Maybe the biggest news of 2022 is that Brighton cut his hair??  I am thrilled to report that as “big news” especially in light of the last couple of years.  B continues to bring the hype, laughter and new friends to our family.  Big normal news for Julia is that she furnished and decorated a darling apartment all by herself in her own unique style.  She’s hard working, quick witted, Jeopardy proficient and a delight to be around. 

I was told by many of you that there wasn’t a letter in last year’s card.  I was so sad about that, because I absolutely wrote one- you know me, not letting the dinosaur die—sort of like “ma’am” and “put your napkin in your lap” but I must have missed a chunk when stuffing.  So—THIS YEAR, may I say to you a sincere and a possibly year late “Merry Christmas” to each of you.  We pray you know the Lord’s goodness and kindness shown to each of us – for Him who knew no sin became sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor. 5:21 Praise Him from whom all blessings flow….

Merry Christmas!