Merry Christmas!

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

We send you Christmas greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May you rejoice in Christ and all He has done for you. The eternal Christ came to earth as a baby in a manger, but remember why He came. Christ came to die. He accomplished His mission, which was to live a sinless life by perfectly keeping the law of God and then willingly dying upon a cross to pay the penalty that was due for our sins. Three days later, He rose again so that all who repent of their sins and put their faith in Christ alone would foever live with Him. Eternal life in heaven, in stead of hell, is secure for the believer as Christ is our “hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). This great hope brings us great joy and peace in any and every circumstance. Our prayer for all of you, our family and friends, is that you know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.


There were many changes for us in 2013. If you have known us for any length of time, that will come as no surprise. Change is something our family has become quite accustomed to over the past few years. Each year seems to bring new trials as well as joys, but through it all there is one thing that remains constant. Our Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ is faithful and never changes. We rest in knowing that nothing occurs that has not been sovereignly ordained by God for His glory and our sanctification.

One of the biggest changes has been David moving into a new position in Christian education. This fall he began working at a Christian School as the Dean of Men, which means his main focus is discipline and discipleship of boys K-12. He also has the privilege of teaching high school boys Bible. What a blessing to be in a job doing what he loves most! He is still able to take seminary classes, but has slowed down again to allow more time to focus on this new position as well as his family. He is on track to finish his Masters of Divinity in 2016, Lordwilling, but we love it here, so no hurry!

Our kids have been given an unique opportunity to attend Daddy’s school this year. After being a homeschool family for the last four years, this has by far been the biggest change. The transition has gone remarkably well and all three kids seem to be thriving. We are so very thankful for such a great group of teachers, staff, new friends and families who have so warmly welcomed them.
Christy continues to work two days a week as a physician assistant. After selling the practice, her supervising physician, Dr. Drew, recently moved back to South Africa. We miss our dear friends, the Drews, but it was a privilege to work for them. The new owners of the practice have been very gracious and Christy enjoys working for them.

We continue to be very involved with our church and we count it a privilege to be under such great teaching and enjoy the weekly fellowship of believers.We are also very thankful for our weekly fellowship group. We are in our second year of hosting a Bible study at our home and dearly love this group of people. David has enjoyed teaching through the book of Colossians with another seminary student.


• Fifteen years old
• Freshman in high school
• Playing JV basketball
• Most often found with a ball in his
hand, usually dribbling
• Loves the high school ministry

• Twelve years old
• 7th grader
• Playing jr. high basketball
• Most often found humming hymns
joyfully around the house
• Loves the jr. high ministry

• Nine years old
• 4th grader
• Playing basketball for her school
and has the best coach - Daddy!
• Most often found talking- much to
her brothers chagrin, she TALKS
and TALKS and TALKS
• Loves being a part of the Juniors
ministry at church


Fourth Grade Friends

We have just finished the first quarter of the school year and we have so much to be thankful for.  This was a huge transition for all of us going from homeschool to private school, and it was something we approached with much prayer.  As the homeschool mom, I must admit many of my fears and anxieties were wrapped up in how they would perform academically and if they would find friends.  The Lord has been gracious to me yet again in revealing my sinful heart and showing me that my hope is not in successful or popular children, but in Him alone.   I could go on and on about the wonderful glorious things he has taught me through this process, but then this blog would never actually get posted.  It would go through five rewrites and editing.  So, without further ado, I thank the Lord for answering my prayers and helping my kiddos adjust.  It has been better than I could have dreamed.  They are all doing great and adjusting well - finding friends and keeping up with their classes.  I hope to blog about each one, but this particular one is about my girlie.  She LOVES school and would even attend on Saturdays if they let her.  The first month she was blessed to attend two birthday parties.  The first one allowed her to experience roller skating for the first time.  The second one was a special dinner out with her AG doll and all.    These sweet friends the Lord has brought into her life are gentle, polite, and fun little girls.  I am thankful....

Tea Time!

This annual event has become one of my most favorite times of the year.  Our fellowship group does a fancy tea for the ladies each fall as a kick-off to the new study for the year.  This year's theme was "Christ and His Bride."  Every year has been a blessing and this was no different.  I always leave encouraged and challenged to live for Christ.  

Each table hostess has the privilege of decorating her table.  This year was special for me as I was able host and use my maternal grandmother's beautiful feminine china and my paternal grandmother's silver.

I had some very special guests this year!  Little sis and her favorite babysitter in the whole entire world, who has become such a dear friend to our family!

Back to School

Over the past five years, we have experienced many different ways of educating our children.  Soon after the Lord saved Dave and I about ten years ago, our lives began to dramatically change.  We had new eyes to see the world and we began looking at everything through the lens of scripture.

 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

One of the biggest changes was our decision to pull our children out of the public school system and homeschool them.  As the family of a public school teacher, it was a huge decision and not one that we came to lightly.  It was not born out of academics, but out of biblical convictions.  You can see DH's ("dear hubby" for those unfamiliar with blog lingo) whole post here.  We were compelled to bring our children home and teach them ourselves so that we could spend time with them and teach them everything through a Biblical worldview.  While we treasure those homeschool years, the Lord has tempered us and taught us much during them.  We have learned that the way each family chooses to educate their children is a personal choice and one that is between them and the Lord.  We have met so many godly families in various school settings, from public, to private, to homeschool that are truly discipling and training their children.  With all that said, a new chapter is upon us now, as have the privilege to send our kids to a private Christian school.

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,

In the company of the upright and in the assembly.

 Psalm 111:1

We spent much of the spring on our knees praying for a job for DH.   We were asking for the moon.  We prayed God would provide a full-time job with benefits, that would allow DH to continue his seminary studies.  We were also praying for a job that would allow me to stop working and come home.  While the Lord was faithful to sustain us last year, working two days a week and homeschooling was quite a challenge.   As we prayed through Psalm 34 together, our faith was bolstered as God reminded us of His faithfulness.  Though we didn't know what was ahead, we were reminded that God was in control.  Corrie Ten Boom said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Ephesians 3:20

The Lord had orchestrated a better plan for our family than we could have asked or thought.  In addition to the perfect job of Bible teacher and Dean of Men, our children are blessed to be able to attend this school.  Though we have a highschooler, a junior higher, and an elementary student, they are all on the same campus with their daddy!

The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;

But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.

Psalm 34:10

9th grade

So, last week, we sent our blessings off to school.  It was a bittersweet time for me, but I am so thankful.  I already miss them and the house seems so quiet, but I am so excited for them. They are already learning so much. The boys have had to work hard and focus on some tough classes, but have done very well.  They both had to get organized quickly and figure out how to get in and out of their lockers and to their next class on time with what they needed.  That caused mom the most anxiety, but they are proving themselves to be way more capable than I thought!  God is so good!

4th grade

7th grade

Little Sis LOVES school so much. She couldn't wait to start and continues to get great joy from attending.  Her only complaint is not having enough homework.  This was her first and only assignment so far.  She was asked to make a "self-doll" using materials around the house. She did a great job!

Twenty Years!

I am so blessed to be married to my very best friend.  He is my prince,  my hero, my shepherd, my love.
Life with this man gets better every year.  I love you so much, honey!

I love the way you make me laugh.

We had such a lovely time at this B&B in Santa Barbara.

I love this handsome man!  

San Francisco was amazing too!  I bought coffee from Cafe Roma where they roast their own beans.  We saw the crooked street and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Family Vacation

Funnest Daddy on the planet!

 We love to put puzzles together on vacation.  

 Silly girl!

The kids loved practicing their jumps into the pool!

I LOVE these kiddos!

Iowa State Fair

Where else can you eat a corn dog, funnel cake and deep fried oreo before you go on the double ferris wheel?  

Little Sis was so excited to go on the double ferris wheel.  Big Bro, who hates heights bravely accompanied her.

Gramma Sharon and I couldn't bear to watch it sore through the air, but the boys all watched in awe!

A house divided!  One of them takes it much more seriously than the other!

Forty-something

 Yes, I really turned 42 this year and yes, my mommy did make me a homemade chocolate raspberry cake with number candles on it! We have always done birthdays BIG in my family and we always will. We even had a special lunch with Iowa sweetcorn and REAL Iowa tomatoes! I even got to spend it with my 91 year old grandma.  It was such a special day!

A Special Day

We went back to Iowa this summer for a very special wedding.  It was a perfect day and probably one of the sweetest, simplest weddings I have ever been to.  I loved every little detail that was carefully planned with care, but the BEST part was the message.  The pastor shared from Ephesians 5 and spoke about how marriage is a picture of the Gospel!  Love it!

 Little sis was enamored by the whole event, but was particularly excited about the "dancing" part.  Imagine her delight when her two favorite guys waltzed her around the grass dance floor to the Blue Grass Music!

This was one of the most special parts.  Grandma Betty, who is almost 91, was there for the wedding!  This is her with her NINE great grandchildren all together!