Over the years readers of this letter have become friends. This edition is a personal reflection on 2023. Recipe writing will resume in 2024.
Highlights
This year marked the year I have been married longer than not. Biggest events: we survived another kitchen renovation (Jan/Feb) and started homeschooling again (Aug) after 4 years of private school. It was my first full year back in Kentucky after being in exile for 22 years. Being closer to family has been great, especially seeing my parents more (Dad had 2 strokes and Mom broke her hip this year after both knees replaced last year).
In July we took a quick family trip to Holland, Michigan. It’s a cute Dutch-themed town on Lake Michigan. Just 6 hours from Louisville and feels like the beach without the extreme heat of Florida. As time marches on, concentrated family time is my favorite.
Dream fulfilled: a flock of chickens joined us in the fall. Actually we’re on the second flock. The dog enjoyed the first as squeaker toys one traumatic morning before church.
John Isaac
Home from summer camp in Colorado, he said, “I’m changing majors from business to engineering.” We were surprised, not because he doesn’t have the intelligence, but usually the pendulum doesn’t usually swing that direction. The first semester as an engineering major has been a good challenge. To no one’s surprise he’s making great grades. He started this year as a RA, which pays for room and board. On some weekends he is a swimming photographer yet prefers to explore the wilderness of the west. Today is his annual eye exam (priority after his accident) and all continues to heal.
Caroline
She is in the 8th grade and has loved the transition back to homeschooling. We were both nervous. We turned to private school her 3rd grade year because of tensions in our relationship. At school, her teacher quickly observed a learning difference and we were able to get excellent tutoring. Turns out she is extremely gifted in math, talented artist, yet will never spell rightly. Her brain is wired like a Mac in a PC world. This understanding for our family has been liberating. She is excelling in an on-line Algebra and Geometry class (Shoreman). Like her dad, she reads with fervor. On Mondays we participate in homeschool co-op and she loves friends there. We all love the margin and slower pace that homeschooling affords. Volleyball has been an integral aspect of her development as a human; she plays on a competitive homeschool team with fantastic coaches.
Schaeffer
This fifth grade boy is a joy to homeschool. Give him a list of assignments and he tackles them with gusto! (Not my experience with my firstborn.) The highlight of his week is playing Ga-Ga ball with friends at our church’s open gym for homeschoolers then a drama program which follows. He continues to be taller than his peers and gaining skills at KY’s national sport: basketball. A thoughtful and tender boy to his core, we look forward to watching him grow more aggressive on the court. We bought passes this summer to KY Kingdom, a local theme park, and according to him we did not go enough. For the third year in a row we’ve continued with the nickname Shanta because of his love of buying gifts and decorating the house for Christmas.
John
Our church celebrated the 85th anniversary this summer. November marked John’s second year as a pastor. He is excelling! I never thought he would be a pastor (or me a pastor’s wife!) but he is really doing well in all the ways. I am so proud. As mentioned above, he loves to read and is not only our homeschool principal but also takes seriously the role of librarian for our family: feeding us all books to nourish our brains and souls. He is diligent to make exercise a priority, usually in the form of weights at the gym. When the weather cooperates his preference is to be on a bike.
Me
After grieving the loss of daytime freedom and settling into a routine, I was pleasantly surprised with homeschooling. I love the slower pace of life. Oh we have full schedules but the mornings are slow and full of intention. Each year I think I will push something off my plate but it seems I pile more on so the quiet mornings are key for ordering my days.
This spring I started a garden; being outside is my favorite. The harvest wasn’t too plentiful - poor soil and lots of shade. I’m not discouraged. Everything starts somewhere. I am focusing on building soil structure with JADAM Korean farming practices.
This fall marked 4 years of being a brand advocate for Beautycounter, a company that has identified 2,800 harmful or questionable ingredients they will never use in skincare. I used their makeup for several years before deciding I could get a discount and make money by recommending things I love. Never thought I would be one of those people but doing it has enriched my life in countless ways. In particular, the extra cash provides for fun family outings. Thank you to each of you who have supported this side hustle over the years.
Books
Every January I commit to writing down titles of books I’ve read. Every year I fail to make it a priority to actually record them. However, as I looked back in my journal, there were some books that provoked more contemplation than others.
Most journal entries came from a two-volume biography of Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn. The first book explains her growing up years. Then becoming a missionary to Ecuador when her husband was martyred in 1956 by the people they were trying to reach. She lived with those people 7 years after Jim died. Later she moved back to the states with her daughter (primarily because of unresolved conflict with another missionary, who was a sister to one of the men martyred with Jim.) Because I served 20 years with a missions agency, have interest in overseas missions, and overall fan girl of EE, this book brought so many thoughts and feelings to the surface.
The second volume focuses on Elisabeth’s writing, widowhood and two subsequent marriages. Both books were fascinating in different ways. If you were influenced by any of her Christian living books, you would find both books interesting! The first I recommend to anyone, especially younger people who are striving to know God’s direction in life. I loved these books so much I’m going to read them again to discuss with a friend. PSST: there is a huge plot twist at the very end of the 2nd book. After finishing I listened to an interview of her with Lars (husband #3) on FamilyLife Today: part 1 and part 2.
The Watchman’s Daughter, about Corrie ten Boom, was another that brought reflection about Christian living (book found at my library). Likely you’ve read or heard of The Hiding Place, a book she wrote about hiding Jews during WWII. The Watchman’s Daughter expands on her life. Super inspiring.
Author Aundi Kolber encouraged me towards emotional wholeness this year in two of her books. In January a trusted friend gifted me a copy of Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy. It was so profound I pre-ordered Strong like Water: Finding the Freedom, Safety, and Compassion to Move through Hard Things--and Experience True Flourishing which was released in March. Both books I will re-read. So much to process and grow.
Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard - This book is in the contemplative vein, recommended by my mentor Carolyn Wellons. Read slowly and savor it.
Life is not without trials. But who wants to read about those? Discomfort is what pushes me towards greater dependence on Jesus. Ultimately, that’s where I want to be: closer to Jesus and abiding in him.
I’ve had many years of striving in my own strength. This year I have been more content than ever before. 1 Timothy 6:6 says “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”
Hoping you find godliness and contentment in 2024,
Julie