Thoughts of the past and for the future

The year 2012 is coming to end and what a year it has been! I am hoping for a new year filled with good surprise and adventures.

We started 2012 out with intense marriage counseling. We left Cadence with my parents for a week while Josh and I were able to just do life together for a week in Muncie and start with marriage counseling. Unfortunately January and Febuary were filled with lots of hurts and tears, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel. We were able to visit NJ in March where we got to take Cadence to the ER for the second time that year. This was the beginning of us finding out that he has asthma and we were going to have some long months ahead of us. April began with finding out Josh's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having to watch her go through surgeries and chemo from long distance was hard on all of us.

In May, Josh and I got to go to Northern Ireland for two weeks with the Campus House. This trip was amazing. The sites were breathtaking and the people were fantastic and the memories will last for a lifetime. The summer brought lots of traveling, something like 70 hours in the car, family time, retreats, etc. August came around and the life of campus ministry was in full swing once again.

This last semester was tough on us. Feeling tired and frustrated, we had started wondering if it was time to leave the CH and do another kind of ministry. We thought we were thinking a year or so ahead but in November, the Board made that decision for us by letting Josh go unexpectedly. Thus we ended our year in NJ with family for Christmas and a time to think and pray about our future.

So it's kind of funny to read all of this and people might just think we have had a very depressing year and yeah it has been a rough year of changes and frustrations, but really it has been a great year as well. Josh and I are doing great as a couple, it is refreshing to think about how i am truly married to my best friend. And since we are doing well on the marriage front, it's helping with our parenting as well.

April 30th brought me a niece, Leia!! In October, Michele was done with chemo and is on her way (with a couple other surgeries) to being fully cancer free. We are blessed with a little boy who makes us laugh every day. We have family and friends that have taken care of us and loved on us these last eights weeks and really the whole year.

So what about 2013? Yeah I have wondered that as well. We have no idea what that brings. A new ministry? A new house in a new state? A new family member (don't get excited, nothing yet!)? I have no idea, I would love all of that. Only God knows. I do know that we'll take it one day at a time, together.

Christmas through a toddlers eyes

Several weeks ago we had a wonderful friend surprise us with a Christmas tree and lights! This was a huge blessing for us and now every year when we put up this tree we will remember what amazing friends we have. The great thing was that we decorated it while Cadence was taking a nap. I got to teach Josh how to properly "fluff" a tree (thanks to my Hallmark years, I am pretty good at it... or just picky), and we got the lights and ornaments on them just in time for Cadence to wake up. Honestly we weren't planning on "surprising" Cadence, it just worked out this way. Let me just say this kid thought it was Christmas morning just walking out and seeing all the pretty lights. He pointed out all the colors and his favorite ornaments. Every morning he wants me to turn on the lights and has actually gotten in trouble several times for trying it himself!

I say this because I have watched Cadence over the last several weeks slowly realize that there is something special about Christmas. As a two year old he doesn't understand Baby Jesus but he also doesn't know about the presents or the hustle and bustle and stress the holidays can bring. We have made Christmas crafts, a countdown with daily activities and we have played with his Little People nativity.

I have been able to tell the Christmas story to Cadence most days this month or in some way talk about baby Jesus and I love it. I am getting the privilege and honor of introducing my Savior to my son. We have always prayed over him and even sung hymns at night, but I can slowly show him who God is from the beginning of his Son's life. I get to show that Christmas is not about lights, presents and food but instead the birth of a very special baby...JESUS! No he doesn't understand it yet but I know next year when he is older it may "click" and maybe he can tell me the Christmas story. And that thought brings joy to my heart.

Casey update

I had a nice long post written out about our last month...then I deleted it. I think it was beneficial for me to write it all out, have Josh read and then not post it. I will say in  a few sentences what our month has been and then I will move on to something else. Josh was terminated from his position at the Campus House on Nov 3rd and in my very own opinion, unfairly and not Christ like. It has been a month of anger, confusion, hurt and uncertainties. And through it all Josh and I are strong and eagerly awaiting a job opening ASAP! Keep us in your prayers as we figure out finances and what is next for our family.

I will post again in a few days! I shall share with you what God has taught me this last year and how it applies to our lives today...I know you are super excited!