A Merry and Blessed Christmas to You and Yours

We want to wish you a Merry Christmas. This year has been one of much change for our family and we thank each of you for walking with us through that change.

Hiram has changed from a 6-month-old infant to an 18-month-old toddler. He rarely walks, but can run wherever he has a mind to go. He stays on the go playing with cars, tractors, and blocks. He loves being outside and reading books.

He also takes after momma by never running out of things to say, and each day it seems he adds new words and phrases to his vocabulary. As Pap Steve says, “That boy can say whatever he has a mind to say.” One phrase that made us especially chuckle was as we were getting out of the car at the library, he recognized where we were and excitedly said, “Bookie house.”

Lilian is halfway through 5th grade. She is walking a line between still needing and wanting mom and dad for some things, but very much wanting to be independent. One way this has been especially expressing itself is in the kitchen. Lilian loves to cook and bake and try new recipes. Mom and dad have given her the freedom to explore her passion, but sometimes have to clean up some messes and help problem solve when the plan goes askew. Lilian continues to dance and was dancer of the month this past month. She also remains an avid and eclectic reader.

Becca has really enjoyed the opportunity to work in larger hospitals and hone new parts of her skill set these past few months. The travel and reconnection with old friends has been a highlight of her year as well. Andrew being full-time with the kids has allowed Becca some time for self-care that had been missing previously too. She has read several books by Lysa Terkeurst, John Bevere, and Jennie Allen, has been journaling more regularly, and is growing more in understanding herself and her relationship to God.

Andrew too has been reading and has also attended some continuing education conferences, and is thankful that God is using this season to prepare him for what lies ahead. The travel and conferences have also added new people to his social network, and Andrew is thankful for these new relationships that help him to think of new possibilities and encourage him.

Becca’s contract here in Indiana ends on Christmas Eve. We had been holding off on sending out this year end update until we knew where we were going next, but we are still unsure where that will be. Becca was offered a contract, but before we could accept it the hospital decided they no longer needed a traveler. That was a blessing to not have to move and start and then quickly move again, but it is also a bit unsettling to not have something lined up already.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

The Newkirks, Andrew, Becca, Lilian and Hiram