Christmas Letter 2025

 In an effort to simplify my life a little, I (mostly) gave up sending out Christmas cards and letters annually a few years ago. Maybe someday I will do them again but today is not that day.

However, I do enjoy spending a little time putting it into blog form as a way of reflecting on this past year.

Here's our 2025:

Daniel had some pretty major life events this year, from turning 18, to graduating from high school, and starting the 2-year culinary program at EVIT. He's been practicing his craft with a micro-business, doing meal prep for a handful of close friends and family. Once a week our kitchen is taken over with meal-prep containers full of everything from Indian Butter Chicken pizza bites to Buffalo Mac and Cheese, German Spaetzle, or Korean Gochujang meatballs along with some healthy options like sous vide salmon or veggie-dense stir fry. We really hope he never gets tired of this. Hanging out with his friends playing video games, playing his guitar and quality time with family are still some of his favorite things in life.

For Moses, the first few months of 2025 were all about performing in Aladin Jr. as Prince Abdullah (Jasmine's first suitor), and the singing and dancing ensemble. The commitment was intense but equally as rewarding. Performing arts continued to dominate his time, with a choir trip to a performance festival in California, which also included a day in the Magic Kingdom. I had the privilege of going along to help, and it was such a special time. In May he was awarded Student of the Year for his junior high! Over the summer he attended musical theater day camp at the community college. But he also went with the youth group to Elev8 (aka Nazarene teen Olympics) in Point Loma and then returned a month later for Pastor's Kids' retreat. In August he started his freshman year of high school and, although he kind of misses his junior high, is really thriving. He's been cast in this spring's production of The Little Mermaid, and we look forward to exciting times ahead.

Dan and I celebrated our 21st anniversary this year at our new favorite resort in Fountain Hills. It was a great time to reflect on year 20, and talk through goals for 2025. Dan has continued working as a nuclear medicine tech at Banner Ocatillo. He was already working at a Banner Hospital (actually then Banner Desert) as a transporter when I met him, so he's been in a relationship with them longer than with me! He's an avid baseball card collector, if avid is the right term for that. He's formed friendships around his favorite local shops, and card shows, and it's fun watching his enthusiasm.

I continue to be bi-vocational, as a pastor and substitute teacher on the side. I have been a copastor to The Table, a Nazarene house church, for awhile now. But a few weeks ago my friend and soul brother, Trevor  resigned in order to step back into a full time family ministry position. So, at least for this time, I am taking on a little more responsibility, as the solo pastor working shoulder to shoulder with an amazing group of Jesus followers. I wish I could put into words all the miraculous ways God keeps showing us that this is HIS not any of ours. Some of our highlights have been spending all of lent in the nearby park for services, including Easter, passing out waters together at the local farmer's market, delivering supplies to two Title 1 schools, and watching our very youngest congregants hold the bread and the cup, and with all the reverence say, "This is Christ's body...FOR YOU" and "This is Christ's blood 'splead' for you."

There's been lots of little gifts...like a trip to Tucson for the book festival and then the opening of a sister church. There were book signings and a show at Gammage. There were sweet niece and nephew times, a disco murder mystery party, new friends, and old traditions.

2025 hasn't been perfect for any of us. I, like many, have had serious concerns for my community, my country, and our world. I'm concerned for my friends who are refugees and immigrants. I am concerned for how little we value education.  And I am sad for the way that our society has become comfortable with cruelty. 2025 has felt like a century sometimes.

But this advent season has really helped me stabilize my heart to remember what it means to be people of hope in a seemingly hopeless world, people of peace in a frantic and feisty world, people of joy, regardless of circumstances, and people of love because God is love.