So just two weeks ago, we roped our amazing friend into taking photos of us for a Christmas card that we just sent out last week. On that card we officially shared the announcement of our big move with family and friends. Don’t be surprised if your card makes it after Christmas, and know we had the best intentions of getting it to you sooner. Yes, next year we will be moving (at some point as there are lots of details to still figure out) to Johnson City, Tennessee. Before we move forward into 2019 though, I want to reflect on 2018, especially on the goodness of our God as He has fulfilled His promises to restore us and give us purpose this year.
After our traumatic experience in 2017 of being in a head on car collision, struck by a drunk driver, we can definitely say that 2018 brought a better year. We can say that although some of the damage that was done in 2017 to us physically and emotionally remains irreversible, so has God’s grace. Regardless of what we went through, what others have done to us, what we’ve often even done to ourselves, and what we are still dealing with, God’s grace remains consistent, certain, and constant, covering us every step of the way. Here you can see how God has carried us through, as I share our year in review.
January
We started the new year with “purpose” in our hearts, knowing that it would be our year when hope would be restored, knowing that God had already brought us through so much and that He wasn’t going to stop now. Just a little over a week into the new year, I had another surgery on my arm. While it was very scary and brought back up lots of emotions and a feeling of going backwards, it really was exactly what had to happen in order to get my arm in a better working order by removing the metal plate, screws, and having the surgeon do a manual manipulation to break through all of the scar tissue to get it moving more again.
February
Eric had the opportunity to go to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to an airbase to continue his training for an inspection he was to perform at his base here in Florida in June. He asked me to tag along, marking the first time since the car wreck that I would fly again and be away from the kids. This was a huge deal for me as we were going to stay on a base, just as we had In California where we were in the traumatic collision. I definitely got sick on the plane ride there and I went through all the waves of pains and emotions, but God definitely brought healing in that trip that pushed me further along in my journey of being completely restored. Not to mention, I got to be alone with my husband on Valentine’s Day, in Steeler Country, even if there were no games to watch at Heinz Field in the middle of February.
March
After just taking my first big trip away from home, all four of us prepared to take a family trip and set sail on a Disney Cruise (the gift we had given the kids for Christmas last year)! We had such a great time unplugging, relaxing, and really just celebrating being alive and persevering through such a hard time last year.
April
While there was much back and forth as to if I should go through with it or not, I did go under the knife yet again to correct the damage caused in the car collision. This time, I had surgery on my nose in hopes to correct the extra broken bones inside as well as bring relief of pain, and open it up to breathe better. I’m so glad I went through with it as the surgeon found lots of glass, debris, and bone fragments within that had been present since last July from the wreck.
May
The kids officially made it through another year of school with Kirie finishing Kindergarten and Kieran finishing 8th grade. There were ceremonies, awards, and parties to celebrate all of their accomplishments in which we were of course very proud! I finally started my blog to share my testimony, Yraversible Grace.
June
Eric turned 40 and we celebrated big with 40 things we love about him and of course sushi and lemon cupcakes! We also celebrated 7 years of marriage on June 8th and Eric experienced his first spa day for our couple’s day at the Salamander Spa. As exciting as those two occasions were, they both pale in comparison to Kirie asking Jesus into her heart, marking her spiritual birthday on June 21st.
July
After just celebrating the most important decision she’ll ever make, we continued celebrating with Kirie’s 6th Birthday on July 24th! We headed to Orlando to Disney World, while Kieran got to go to his first college soccer camp at Southeastern University, and finished up the trip in Miami eating key lime pie, boating in the Florida Keys, and spending time with dear friends who are like family!
August
Thankfully we had just gotten through the year anniversary of the car collision, but upon seeing that I was still not 100% physically or emotionally, nor ready to return to teaching, the kids started another school year without me. Kirie started 1st grade at Butler Elementary and Kieran 9th grade at South Walton Highschool!
September
After taking last year off of soccer and being so flexible to do what was best for our family, Kieran had returned in the summer to play travel soccer for FC Dallas of the Emerald Coast out of Niceville. At the end of September they won their first tournament of the season becoming champions of The Birmingham Bash.
October
Kieran went on to make the varsity team at South Walton Highschool where he has been the starting keeper this season. So far they remain undefeated in their division and we couldn’t be more proud of our keeper! Despite the red tide coming to the gulf coast making us all sneeze and cough our heads off, Kirie moved forward to make her decision of becoming a Christian public, by having her Grandpa G baptize her at the beach on 10-5-18. October unfortunately brought devastation to the gulf and our neighbors to the east in Panama City Beach and beyond as Hurricane Micheal ripped up through the panhandle.
November
As everyone came together to pray, give, and help during this time of need for our area, I felt drawn to serve the children who had lost their homes, and schools, and needed to be educated. God opened all the right doors at all the right times and I went back to work on November 5th teaching a class full of displaced students from Bay County. We celebrated all that God has done for us at Thanksgiving in Tennessee where God also opened yet another incredible door, giving Eric the opportunity to move into a new job next February.
December
We started this month with traveling back to Tennessee to square away a new build for us to buy and live in next year and got to celebrate my birthday while there with family. Kieran turned 15 just last week and Eric cooked some of his Filipino food favorites to celebrate big. In just a couple of days now we will celebrate our last Christmas at the beach.
Just as we wrapped up our Christmas card, I’ll do the same here in hopes that just like us, you’ll let the good news of our Savior’s birth fill you with good tidings of great joy. There is so much unknown for 2019 for our family, especially with this big move coming, but we will choose not to fear, but to let Jesus fill us with peace, love and joy! Don’t miss the good news, the greatest news, the message and story of hope for all people this holiday season. Jesus is the true reason for this season, for our hope, and purpose of living. His birth that led to His death and sacrifice for us all, remains to be the best gift ever given. You can receive the ultimate gift in believing in Jesus and be saved by His grace, making this the merriest Christmas of all!
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
