This Christmas Letter

 

I have a confession to make.

I've been watching formulaic mass-produced Christmas movies. You know the kind. Like the ones made by a greeting card company which shall not be named. And not only that but I've READ (or rather listened to) these stories too! There's just so many of them free on Audible!

I usually want to read things that challenge my mind and perspective, that teach me something new or surprise me. But in the midst of December chaos my mind has just been begging to not be challenged so very much, and, well, stories about returning to a small town to predictably fall in love with the old high school boyfriend who's cooler now is just what the doctor ordered. 

Funny thing, though. Two of my favorites from this list of mind-numbing holiday bliss involved the tradition of sending a Christmas letter One book starred a character who made her living writing other people's Christmas letters, and using the right words to make their boring lives sound fascinating. Another had to do with an explosion of jealousy over an old "frenemy's" letters that sounded too good to be true. This character is humbled, as a terrible tragedy and unspoken-of grief is revealed. I have to admit I've probably fallen into some of these sets of cliché's myself, whether it's manipulating words to paint the best picture, or that low-key depression that comes with believing my achievements or experiences don't match up. I'm thankful, in most ways, for the truth-revolution that seems to be taking over GenZ. And while I would ultimately hope we're working on making sure the truth we reveal about ourselves includes kindness and a generous spirit, I too strive to learn from their authenticity.

With all that said...here is the recap of our year, which I will call our Christmas letter (or maybe Christmas novel):

I'm having trouble remembering anything that happened before February. The first week in February, we went with the core lead team from our house church network, The Table, up to Pinerock for the weekend. It was fantastic! These people make me laugh. We planned together, and prayed together. And we went down the mountain Sunday to be with each other some more, holding our church service as usual at the Albaughs. Some friends followed us home from there to pick up the wedding gift we'd bought them. While we were chatting, Dan got a phone call from his brother saying his mom had collapsed, something was wrong with her heart, and she was headed to the hospital. One minute life feels normal, and good, and the next minute everything's different. After four days of watching and waiting together in the ICU, Mama Williams went home to Jesus. There's no "wrapping up" this portion of the letter. The pain comes back fresh in waves, here and there. My friend who is a grief counselor described it as a ball rolling around in a small box, jostled around and constantly hitting up against the box. As times goes by the box gets larger, and the ball hits those sides less and less, but when it does, we can still feel it slamming against the side just like before. It's December. And the box feels smaller lately.

In March, Mo fell head over heals for theater. He played the character "Silent Bob" in an elementary school production of "Puss in Boots." This kid goes all in. By summer we had him enrolled in a theater camp where he had a small solo in the ensemble for the musical "Matilda." This was a blast for all of us, as he ended up performing with children of both me and Dan's childhood friends.

 In July he turned 13, and as is his tradition, Dan offered to take him on a special father/son trip. He, of course, chose a trip to New York to see "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" on Broadway. When he started junior high this past August he chose to be part of Musical Theater class, and tried out for the school's production of "Beauty and the Beast Jr." where he will play Monsieur D'Arque (the head of the insane asylum) as well as a knife, and a villager. The music program at Shepherd is above and beyond and it's been a really great niche group to belong to and create community with. So mark your calendars for one of the five performances, February 14th-17th. I'm told they sell out!

Daniel had an epic summer, full of growing up and adventures. The very first day of summer started with the yearly youth group trip to San Diego, where he once again had the time of his life. The teens stay on campus at Point Loma, eat in their cafeteria, compete against each other in their sports venues, and they attend chapel services with dynamic speakers and upbeat worship. I always have a little nostalgia fueled FOMO when they're taking off, so one of these years I'll have to go too. Camp included coming back with a ridiculous mullet that we let him keep for all of 24 hours. Seriously guys...it was bad. Maybe the worst hair cut in all of history. Somewhere around that he got his driver's permit. No...that hasn't been exchanged for a license yet, mostly because I'm a big bundle of nerves myself. But, we're working hard! The most thrilling adventure, however, would probably have been his trip to Tampa Bay Florida for Nazarene Youth Conference. This is a gathering of Nazarene teens from around the country, which happens every four years, and therefore is typically a once-in-a-lifetime trip. To be there with some of his oldest, dearest friends who he was born-into friendship with added to the excitement. They did things like participate in a service project for the people of Tampa Bay, hear life-changing messages, attend concerts by big name artists such as For King and Country, and Lecrae. Then they got in charter buses and moved on to Orlando where they spent their last two days of the trip in Walt Disney World. I feel God really spoke to each of the students in unique ways, and the ripple effects will continue for many years. 

Since then, Daniel has been in his junior year at Red Mountain High School where he mostly loves his guitar class and weight training. He also loves midweek youth groups both at Journey of Grace and with his school friend, Manny at Discovery, and he's started playing guitar occasionally for them, and for our congregation at The Table.

Dan still works as a Nuclear med tech for Banner Ocotillo, and is excellent at what he does. At home he loves baseball card collecting, keeping track of his fantasy football teams, and our many mini-adventures to Tucson, Prescott, and soon to Monterrey, California for our 20th anniversary January 3rd! Throughout this year Dan has done a tremendous job at being the husband, dad, son, and big brother his family has needed, while also learning to care for himself well in times of grief and challenges. 

A whole lot of my time and attention has gone to finishing up the required classes for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene through Nazarene Bible College. I turned in my last assignments in October. This does not mean that I am ordained yet. There are still some interviews and procedures to navigate in the next few months, but it's my hope to be included in this year's ordination service this May 10th, 2024 if things go as planned.

 In the meantime, I have continued serving with my district license as a bivocational part time pastor with The Table, a Nazarene house church network. I plan and prepare the children's lessons, preach about once a month, and offer my help however I can in connecting us to each other and the surrounding community. This past month we have been the host home, and have enjoyed sharing our home.

photo credit: https://ryanalbaughcreative.com/

In order to both supplement my income and engage with our immediate community, I have been working as a substitute teacher. The majority of my sub days are spent in junior high which is equally difficult and exciting. There is no such thing as a boring day subbing, and have really come to appreciate the teens and all of the staff I have the privilege of meeting. 

We've had other random highlights. This past week we had the opportunity, along with two of our favorite people, to have breakfast with a NY Times best selling author of one of my favorite books this year. This isn't the first time I've met a famous author...I've spoken to and had autographs from Anne Lamott and Donald Miller. I hugged Bob Goff...or rather he hugged me...and Dan. And my best friend from high school has published a fantastic young adult book with a promising future. But this is definitely the first time I've shared pastel de gallates, and café de olla with someone in this category. One of the most unforgettable days so far.

Dan, Christy, Javier, Kenny, and Pearl

We've also gotten to see Nate Bargatze live on my birthday weekend, enjoyed many trips to the Desert Botanical Gardens, read a LOT of books, stayed at some fun hotels, won Trivia night at Cup of Joey a few times, cheer at Dbacks games and spend time with the people we love. We're also excitedly expecting our next niece to arrive anytime in the next few weeks! And, honestly, we're learning more and more just how much the little and everyday things matter, and what a lot a person can miss that rarely makes it into the Christmas letter.

Thanks for reading my letter. Thanks for helping me keep it real, and for the part you play in our lives. 

‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

Numbers 6:24-26