I realize I'm already behind.  2024 recaps and New Year's resolutions were already made and announced.  Oh well, better late than never, right?

2024.

The year began with unexpected changes as our niece and nephew returned to live with their mother after living with us for 4 years.  As we went through that transition over the first few months and resettled as our family of 3, we slowly found our footing.  We've added a furry friend, Luna, our mini-pincher dog to the mix.

I attended 3 funerals.  The consolation of each parting was their reunion with their Savior.  But each seemed unfairly too soon and their earthly absence is felt.  

It felt like 2024 was a year marked by this forced letting go.  Not an open-handed, willing offering on my part.  More like my clenched fists being pried open against my will.  There have been conversations and confrontations that have been like a clawing at my heart.  

As we entered this new year, my husband kept asking me "what are your goals for this new year?  What are your hopes as we begin this new year?"  2024 emptied me in a way I could not have expected.  Goals?  I want to lick my wounds and hide.  That doesn't sound like a very inspiring New Year's resolution though.  After a year of letting go, my hope is to be filled.

Filled with compassion.
Filled with God's love.
Filled with the joy of the Lord.
Filled with a renewed spirit.
Filled with hope.  

My goal is to not let my hands become clenched again but to remain open.  That my heart would be softened in the hard places.  Because there are hard places.  

Somehow, I had this idea for our family to try living in different parts of Ecuador for a month at a time throughout 2025.  In part, because I've been feeling discouraged about our own house and plans and also in an attempt to live with hands open.  Ivan loved the idea (of course, he would, my adventure-loving husband).  I work (mostly) remotely.  Ivan can supervise the country from many places and we homeschool. We are prime candidates to be a family that travels and explores.  We are on our first adventure.  A month in Cuenca, the south end of Ecuador, where there is current YL ministry happening.  Ivan will be spending this month, walking closely with the leadership here and getting a better feel for how to better support and supervise this area.  I will continue to work via zoom calls, emails and networking.  Benji and I will continue homeschool life together and we're excited to be living just a few blocks from the local university with great outdoor spaces and services open to the public.  We are, ironically, in a very tiny one-bedroom apartment for the next few weeks, learning what it's like to live in the city.  Our neighbor, back when we lived in Shell, is our neighbor once again as she now works in the hospital here.  It's been especially sweet to reconnect with her and get to spend some time together this first week.  We're just starting our second week, so jury is still out on how we feel about this process.  But in the meantime...

Open hands.  

Filled up.  

Christmas dinner at our house

Family time in Misahualli

Grateful for these friends who continually point me to Jesus

YL Cuenca

We are loving all the beautiful parks in this city