2009...A Look Back

I can't believe 2009 is almost over. It just seems like yesterday that we were taking down last year's decorations and welcoming a new year, yet here it is again. Probably the biggest change in 2009 was that we resigned our CE positions at our church, searched for a new church, and have now found one. It was not an easy decision, but one we felt led to do, so we were trying to be obedient. How God has blessed us in this change, for whatever time we are to be there! The teaching is phenomenal...very deep and challenging to live beyond what we so normally view as Christianity here in America.


Darin finished up last school year and began his 4th year at our public high school. He is teaching World History and Government/World Geography. The school has been in trouble academically for a very long time, and the administration has really put a load on the teachers. It has been a very demanding year, but he is so thankful to have a job.

I am still homeschooling the kids. I miss being CE director at church, but have a new endeavor. I started a homeschool co-op in our area, meeting one day a week for classes. We have 10 families and 26 kids. Our first semester was fun and enriching. The second semester classes will be even more so, I do believe.


Hannah finished up 6th grade and began 7th. She is now taller than me, and still growing. She got braces in September for her bite problem. She took sewing classes all last year, but did not continue this year. This year she is in a novel club that meets monthly to discuss the book, and watch the movie of the book. She has also had the opportunity to take a writing class from a retired English teacher. That has been a wonderful experience for her. She already loved to write, at least on her own terms. She has notebooks and notebooks of stories, histories and maps of imaginary countries, and the like. Our homeschool group also has social events for the middle school/high school kids. She has enjoyed those this year. Changing churches at this age has not been easy, but she does really enjoy her classes at the church.


David finished up Kindergarten and began 1st grade. He is tall and skinny, probably because he is constantly moving and talking. He played basketball last year and is playing Upward this year. He is in Cub Scouts and really enjoys it. I've been much more impressed with the Boy Scout program than I was Girl Scouts. He is moving forward in his academics, and probably enjoys history and science the most. He has a fascination with non-fiction reading, especially the DK Eyewitness books. He thinks he wants to read mysteries so we have a couple of easy chapter books to give it a try over the break.

We are so thankful that God has blessed our family with another wonderful year to be together. He is faithful and gracious to us in so many ways. We cannot begin to thank Him enough or praise Him in all the ways that He is due.