A Different Kind Of Christmas (December 2024 Update)

December 2024

December 2024

It goes without saying that this holiday season was unlike any we've ever experienced. I say this in both good ways and bad.

From the very beginning of our marriage, we were never able to "settle" the way most people do because we were taking strides in ministry to eventually get us to Australia. We skipped out on a lot of normal holiday traditions like setting up the Christmas tree, decorating our home with lights, or even buying each other gifts because we felt it was counterproductive to what we were trying to do.

Why buy stuff you're only going to have to get rid of?

We missed out on a lot of life because of that mentality. So this year, after everything that happened and everything we'd been through, we thought it about time to take a different approach.

Our different kind of Christmas started on December 6th, when we took a group of ten people from our church down to Aurora, Illinois to package and send out Christmas boxes at the Operation Christmas Child facility. This was our very first time leading a short term mission trip, and while there is naturally much we still need to learn, the trip went fairly well. We worked three days, a total of twenty-one hours, and were able to package and send 4,464 boxes to children in Zambia. If you think that's a lot, it is! We had a very hard-working, competitive group! Our trip home was a bit of a journey as we ran into some difficult weather, but praise be to God, we made it safe and sound just in time to start the second leg of our Christmas journey.

Trenton and I have been married five years as of December 15th, and in all the years we have been married, we have never really done anything special to celebrate. So this year, we decided to take a short anniversary trip down to Frankenmuth where we spent a few days immersed in Christmas festivity. It was a great time, despite the fact it was only two days. We were able to walk the streets, play some games, and enjoy some good food before jumping back into our busy work schedules.  

Unfortunately, it was during this trip that we got news of Trenton's dad being sent to the hospital for gallbladder surgery. It was unexpected, but we are happy to say that all went well and he is at home recovering.

Trenton's nephew, however, is a different story.

We got news on Christmas Eve that he had had an unexpected seizure at home, had stopped breathing, and had subsequently been sent to the hospital where he sustained three more.

At this time, they are unsure of what caused it, and are still in the process of running tests, so please keep the family in prayer during this difficult time. 

Our group at the Operation Christmas Child Facility in Aurora, Illinois. We packed and sent out 4,646 boxes to kids in Zambia! 

Upcoming

Upcoming

There is always much expectation with a new year and though we may have tentative plans, I am conistently reminded that God has a way of surprising us with things out of our control. This time last year, we had no idea we'd be going to Paris in July. We had no idea our entire house would flood, or that I'd fail another treatment plan. What has this year been? The craziest year of ups and downs I could ever imagine. But if there's anything I know about God, it's that He has bigger things ahead!

That being said, we have a few things planned for 2025 a lot of which includes fundraising for some upcoming mission trips in 2026. If you are interested in either of these trips, let me know and I can get you the information.

We plan to lead short term trips to the Soccer World Cup and Uganda in 2026. If you would like more information on either of these, feel free to contact me!

My editing contract for the second book of the Shadow Series also begins on January 1st, and to say I'm excited is an understatement. I have spent so many long days, weeks, and months, working on this project, I can't even begin to explain to you how much it has come to mean to me. I've poured my heart into it this year, everything I have, and I know without a doubt that there's no way I could have done it without God's constant leading and provision. I have no date for a potential release, but will keep you updated as things move along. I am thinking that it will be sometime toward the end of 2025. 

Meanwhile, I have also been working on a little side project, a little surprise I plan to share on the 10th of February. For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know I've been leaving a few clues as to what that secret is. You'll only have to wait a few months now to find out!

I got a new author photo over Christmas, compliments of Trenton's sister!

As we close out 2024, I just wanted to end by expressing our gratitude to those of you who have invested in us one way or another. Times have been hard, but the number of you who have stepped up to help has made all the difference. We truly couldn't do what we do without you, and we want you to know how thankful we are for all the times you remember us in prayer, or send us a note, or help us with some financial need. Life is hard, but God is good, and so are His people. Keep being that light in the dark. 

Till 2025, Happy New Year!