Merry Christmas from the Conants!
We hope this letter finds each of your families enjoying the Christmas season! As I sit down to write this, our country has just learned about the horrible tragedy in Connecticut. My heart is so heavy for the parents that have been robbed of another Christmas with their children. I am definitely holding my kids a little tighter and not taking for granted our time together. Although I definitely do not understand why things like this have to happen I do know that the God I serve is faithful and is in control. My prayer for the families affected by this tragedy is that they would be comforted by the God of all comfort.
2012 has been another busy year for our family…what else is new? :) Here is just a little snapshot of what everyone has been up to…
Jackson just turned 11 and is in the 5th grade. This is his last year of elementary school and much to his mother’s dismay will be headed to middle school next year. Why do they have to grow up?? He has been busy this year with swimming, flag football, and guitar. He takes the term “bookworm” to a whole new level. At one point this Fall I asked him how many books he had read in the last two weeks…and he said “six”. As the oldest of our crew he is an expert in sharing his “brotherly love”. No opportunity for teasing or a headlock is ever wasted. :) His sister and brothers love him so much and a game of hide and seek or tag is just not fun unless Jackson is playing too.
Mackenzie turned 9 in November and is in the 3rd grade. She is one creative little girl! She is always drawing, singing, making a craft, or dancing around the house. She loves her teacher and loves school…except for one little thing…the cafeteria. She can’t stand the noise and how crazy the kids get. She even asked me if she could just eat in the Teacher’s Lounge. :) We think she’ll survive. She has been busy this year with swim team, cheerleading, and piano lessons. She is definitely the second mom in this house and does such a great job taking care of her brothers (and her mom and dad). She is a sweet, sweet girl and we love her!!
Tucker is 71/2 and in the 2nd grade. He is a sweet, tender hearted kid who gives the best hugs and still loves to hold his mom’s hand. :) Popcorn and movies are favorites for Tuck, and we are always blown away by his ability to watch a movie once and then be able to quote it. He joined the swim team this year and got the Most Improved award at the end of the season. We were so proud of him. He also continues to take piano lessons. I recently had a conversation with Tuck about how concerned he was that all the boys and girls in his class know Jesus…just a little window into his tender heart.
Luke turned 4 in October and is in preschool 2 days a week. Where to begin with Lukie…where to begin? :) He is a character with a strong will that rivals his mama’s iron will. When we are not laughing hysterically we are pulling our hair out, but we would not change a thing. He loves rocking out with Dad, snuggling with mom, and doing anything his Bubba, Sissy, and Jackson are doing. We often find him outside building things or practicing his Ninja moves. We love this kiddo!
Galen continues to enjoy working from home. He has taken on some new responsibilities at church this year. He is serving as the Small Groups Coordinator, and at the end of the Summer began serving on the Elder Board. God is using him and I am so proud of him. Even though his beloved Cornhuskers had a painful end to their season, he still bleeds Husker Red and was thankful for the opportunity to see a game at Memorial stadium back in November.
I have continued to stay busy keeping up with the kids , volunteering at their school, and enjoying two of my favorite hobbies…photography and crafting. The past six months have been somewhat of a challenge as I have been dealing with some health issues. Nothing life threatening,, but definitely life “interrupting”. There have been some difficult days and lots of tears, but I can honestly say I am thankful. I have grown closer to the Lord in ways I never imagined, I have stopped taking healthy days for granted, and I have a renewed appreciation for the husband God had blessed me with. Galen has been my rock and the vows we said to one another almost 15 years ago have taken on new meaning.
A highlight for our family this year was the trip we took with my family to Southern California. We saw family, took the kids to Disneyland, and took them to play at the same beach I grew up playing on. It was a wonderful trip…memories that will last a lifetime!
From our family to yours…Merry Christmas! Our prayer for you is that you would experience His life changing presence this Christmas season and every day of the coming new year.
With Much Love,
Galen, Jenn, Jack, Mack, Tuck, and Luke
Beauty instead of Ashes 