December 31, 2020
I passed the marquee of Bolivar's Methodist Church this morning and read these words:
Hindsight is 2020
I join the world in shaking my head at the year we all just lived.
For me, I knew things were serious when news came that March Madness was cancelled. Lou and I had a weekend trip planned to Nashville March 13 and we didn't go because Nashville was a hotspot with 2 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
One of Lou's standard statements regarding Covid is:
"Covid is the great disrupter."
Four of our six children have had it (including a couple of spouses). We are thankful to God that their cases have been the typical for their age bracket, with mild symptoms. We've all done the quarantine thing, and we've lost count of how many times my doctor husband has been tested.
Since the whole thing started, like you, we've made life adjustments. We've had (and are still having) multiple conversations about the pandemic/masks/the vaccine/politics/quarantine/jobs/trips...and what the future holds.
As Christians, who have put their faith in the salvation that comes through Jesus' death and resurrection, we know that our future is secure. One day - either through our death or Christ's coming back for us - we will be with him. And between this current reality and that coming reality, He has promised he will never leave us or forsake us and supply all we need to live this life. (Romans 8:32)
So, in this strange year of 2020, we thank God for the help and the hope he's given as we've lived these days.
I've attempted to document a few of those days below. The first are BC (before Covid).
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| In January, we traveled to El Salvador with our church for a medical mission trip. Lou did the doctor thing. I helped in the vision clinic. |
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| We also heard about The Chosen. If you haven't, now you have and we heartily recommend! |
Also in January, we might have celebrated the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl.
In February, we headed to Mexico to celebrate David and Makenzie getting married.
Can I just say how thankful we are this was scheduled BC?!?
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| This view has all the beautiful symmetry feels for me. |
Cue: MARCH
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| Sooooo thankful for Zoom!! |
The Zoom life continued for me as BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) went completely online.
The Zoom life continued for Mary Grace as she came home from Rockhurst University and finished the semester here.
The Zoom life continued for everyone else except Dr. Lou and Nurse Faith. They masked up and went to the front lines.
But thankfully, the Grand life continued as we soaked up every moment we could with Nora and Elaine.
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| here they are at 10 months, reppin the 90th and 11th percentile |
The slower pace of the new normal and good weather was really good for our cycling life.
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| This is part of what is now affectionately called "The Covid Route" |
In July, we headed to the mountains to hike - probably the most Covid friendly vacation you can take.
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| We might have headed back to the mountains in the fall with our good buddies, Wes and Marla. |
I am now a big fan of fall hiking.
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| Also a fan of fall pics. A merry Christmas gift from Hannah and Faith |
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| Also a fan of a new Grand on the way. Due March 2021 |
Ended 2020 with a 12 hour window where we were all together. Thankful for God's gift of family.
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| Luke, David, Hannah Mary Grace, Elizabeth, Faith |
Lord, thank you for your hope and help in 2020.
Help us to trust you more as we move into 2021.
Your kingdom come!
