Here it is, the start of 2014. Looking back on last year, it is hard to imagine how we could top 2013! I usually send out about 100 handcrafted cards with a Christmas letter inserted. But my stampin' mojo was missing...at least the last 2 months of the year. I barely got birthday cards done for the family (and many were late...very late.) However, I still can do a letter...but for the New Year. Technically, we are still in the 12 Days of Christmas, so I am NOT late! Ha! (Today's post is my letter, with just a few minor adjustments.)
Work was quite busy for me and Bruce. He worked a lot of overtime at Quaker again. Unfortunately, he was switched from 1st to 2nd shift in May. We are not thrilled with it, but in this economy we are counting our blessings. His enjoys it, it pays well, there is a very short commute, and he has good benefits. We would take ANY shift!
Kim began the year at Women's Care Clinic with the Sanctity of Life Sunday prayer service being hosted at their own church, St. Paul Catholic Church. The rest of the year was filled with the usual fund raisers, and the ministry actually broke a record for the spring banquet. The BIG news is that the ministry purchased a huge building for future expansion. Kim tells everyone, "It needs a lot of love!" In the coming year, she will be working with the board and staff on a capital campaign. While she is nervous about it, she trusts that God will provide...2014 promises to be intense!
In April, Kim began attending a small group of Lay Dominicans that meet monthly on the Purdue University campus. She was invited by her friend Kari, and felt this new prayer/study format might be what she really needs to dig deeper in her faith. She is still an "Inquirer," and plans on making her temporary profession sometime in 2014. Dominicans are known as the Order of Preachers, and while she won't be preaching at Mass, it definitely fits her love for sharing both her faith and her commitment to the sanctity of human life.
Those Quaker benefits mentioned above came in quite handy this year. In February, Kim needed minor surgery to correct a developing hammer toe on her right foot (a common issue with Dejerine-Sottas.) It's amazing how something so small can be a big issue! Bruce also had health issues; experiencing kidney stones for the first time in 5 years, just before Thanksgiving. In early December, he had out patient surgery to deal with a very large stone, and it looks like he will be fine in 2014!
Many people know what REALLY topped the headlines for our year..our 3 week vacation to Italy!! Celebrating 20 years of marriage with a big trip was more fantastic than I can express. Doing it in a country filled with so much Catholic history made it even better! We saw beautiful churches, ancient ruins, world class art...and then there was The Hug! One October 23rd, we went to a General Audience at St. Peter's. If there is ever a good time to be in a wheelchair, it is at the Vatican! We had amazing seats in the middle aisle, and the "Pope-mobile" went passed us twice! After the audience, we stuck around for a bit (the crowd was huge, so no rush, right?) Good thing we waited, because Bruce saw that Pope Francis was greeting everyone who was in wheelchairs! There's more to the story, which you can read HERE. But suffice it to say, we both felt remarkably blessed!! There were numerous photographers, and one company allowed for orders of digital files...that is why you get to see this pictures. I look at them, and still can hardly believe it!
I am guessing next year will be a bit more "ordinary," but in all reality, if you try to see the blessings, all the blessings, than life is always EXTRAordinary! You don't have to go around the world to see something (or someone) amazing. We pray that 2014 will be filled with blessings for you and your families. May you experience all the joy that God has in store for you!
Work was quite busy for me and Bruce. He worked a lot of overtime at Quaker again. Unfortunately, he was switched from 1st to 2nd shift in May. We are not thrilled with it, but in this economy we are counting our blessings. His enjoys it, it pays well, there is a very short commute, and he has good benefits. We would take ANY shift!
Kim began the year at Women's Care Clinic with the Sanctity of Life Sunday prayer service being hosted at their own church, St. Paul Catholic Church. The rest of the year was filled with the usual fund raisers, and the ministry actually broke a record for the spring banquet. The BIG news is that the ministry purchased a huge building for future expansion. Kim tells everyone, "It needs a lot of love!" In the coming year, she will be working with the board and staff on a capital campaign. While she is nervous about it, she trusts that God will provide...2014 promises to be intense!
In April, Kim began attending a small group of Lay Dominicans that meet monthly on the Purdue University campus. She was invited by her friend Kari, and felt this new prayer/study format might be what she really needs to dig deeper in her faith. She is still an "Inquirer," and plans on making her temporary profession sometime in 2014. Dominicans are known as the Order of Preachers, and while she won't be preaching at Mass, it definitely fits her love for sharing both her faith and her commitment to the sanctity of human life.
Those Quaker benefits mentioned above came in quite handy this year. In February, Kim needed minor surgery to correct a developing hammer toe on her right foot (a common issue with Dejerine-Sottas.) It's amazing how something so small can be a big issue! Bruce also had health issues; experiencing kidney stones for the first time in 5 years, just before Thanksgiving. In early December, he had out patient surgery to deal with a very large stone, and it looks like he will be fine in 2014!
Many people know what REALLY topped the headlines for our year..our 3 week vacation to Italy!! Celebrating 20 years of marriage with a big trip was more fantastic than I can express. Doing it in a country filled with so much Catholic history made it even better! We saw beautiful churches, ancient ruins, world class art...and then there was The Hug! One October 23rd, we went to a General Audience at St. Peter's. If there is ever a good time to be in a wheelchair, it is at the Vatican! We had amazing seats in the middle aisle, and the "Pope-mobile" went passed us twice! After the audience, we stuck around for a bit (the crowd was huge, so no rush, right?) Good thing we waited, because Bruce saw that Pope Francis was greeting everyone who was in wheelchairs! There's more to the story, which you can read HERE. But suffice it to say, we both felt remarkably blessed!! There were numerous photographers, and one company allowed for orders of digital files...that is why you get to see this pictures. I look at them, and still can hardly believe it!I am guessing next year will be a bit more "ordinary," but in all reality, if you try to see the blessings, all the blessings, than life is always EXTRAordinary! You don't have to go around the world to see something (or someone) amazing. We pray that 2014 will be filled with blessings for you and your families. May you experience all the joy that God has in store for you!
Merry 8th Day of Christmas...and Happy New Year!!
Kim & Bruce
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