JerozalJourney: JerozalJourney Christmas Letter 2017

Merry Christmas and Blessings for the New Year!

2017 has been a year we thank God for. He granted us life, further insight into His love and heart, and opportunities to enjoy the life He's ordained for us. That includes the heartaches and struggles we press through, which I suppose we don't "enjoy" per se, yet are thankful for in the long run as we experience God's grace and presence through them. We've attended more funerals this year than in the previous 10...a stark reminder that life is short and unpredictable, so it behooves us to cling tenaciously to those values that are eternal while we're still breathing in this world.

Our kids continue to learn, wrestle through their own issues, stretch, grow, laugh, are blessed with solid and positive friends, hone their own skills in areas that they are talented in, and still demonstrate a genuine faith that, though still in-process, is their own.

For JJ, it's been a stretching year. Steps of faith that require courage. Changes at work beyond his control. Discerning the long term relationships our family invests in. Altering how he spends his own evenings in order to free up time to invest in the heart of our kids. Leading as a result of following - accepting God's invitation to join Him for a glimpse into His heart and work in India. And though these things and more stretch him and feel uncomfortable - even painful- sometimes, the peace and faith in his heart is evident. I have learned to not doubt (or, at least doubt less ☺) that what he firmly believes God can and will do quite likely will come to pass, even if it looks impossible to even imagine right now.

I have appreciated the ins and outs of the past year. Some moments have been quite difficult, some moments have left me amazed (in a good way). I'm grateful for this year's time to devote to several volunteer opportunities - editing a marriage class curriculum, and tutoring English with a Syrian refugee woman through World Relief, as examples. My husband is wonderful and loving and a source of steady reminder that God is always good. I am humbled at the depth and honesty and genuine encouragement of the friends in my life. Seriously undeserved. A rich pool of life experiences, prayer, daring, gut-wrenching perseverance, heart-shared laughter, fun moments, life-giving company. Thank You, Lord. Our son and daughter are fun to be with (well...most of the time, ha ha), and it strikes a "wow" chord in me sometimes when I overhear their conversations or hear them pray aloud. It's a joy to see them grow and learn and come more into who God has made them to be. I value our backgrounds and how where we've come from is woven into God's plans for us and how those plans are interwoven so skillfully with His plans for others too. That's why we need to love and support and encourage one another. His great love for us compels us to be generous with others in return - generous in time, grace, resources, forgiveness, patience, life-giving words, comfort, and more.

May this Advent season - grateful for the humble entry of God into our desperate need to be saved from sin that separates us from Him, AND remembering we are waiting for His appearance one more and final time - be one of gratitude and joy and trust in God's great love. Love He doesn't just feel, but that He demonstrates and that He actually IS..

With Love and Blessing - the Jerozals

Year in pictorial summary: