So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time…

Well it’s 2007. Nic and I didn’t quite ring in the new year with friends — we did make it to a really nice party, but had to cut out at around 10:00 so Benjamin could eat, and we did stay up until midnight to watch the ball drop. But before 2006 gets too far behind us, it’s time for my annual recap.
Unlike the last, this year did not start off quiet. It started off intensely stressful, and pushed us to the limit in more ways than one. Emotionally, financially and even in our relationship, our mettle was tested as we figured out how to move from one country to another. But God was there, and He lovingly guided us to an amazing young church, that would have a bigger impact on us than we could have imagined at the time. Of course there was, and still is, some things to adjust to, and some issues to deal with. But our family and friends — both old and new — were there to encourage us, and give us perspective — both on where we’d been, and on where we were heading. And by Easter, we really began to see that God had a plan bigger than just a new job and a new home…
Our new and exciting church was making waves all over the region, and we found ourselves getting drawn closer to the center of that activity. Suddenly all the ministry experiences God had given us in the past year started to make sense. We found out that the seemingly random experiences and skills God had given us weren’t so random after all, and God put us to work in new ways that were both challenging and fun. Our priorities began to shift and we spent a lot of time trying to figure out how God wanted us to shape our lives. In a matter of months, God surrounded us with His faithful servants who taught us and encouraged us to act out what we felt God was directing us to do, and before we knew it, we weren’t just getting our feet wet, we were helping people into the water. And then I had two jobs!
But that wasn’t all that was happening! Earlier this year we began getting ready for our biggest challenge yet. And if it seems like Nic didn’t have as much to do this year, being out of a job and all, don’t under-estimate the job she had in front of her. We were both scared and excited and nervous, but Nic knew almost instinctively what had to be done, and when the time came, we let our friends and family know… we were about to be parents — and I would soon have three jobs (dad being the 3rd title!)
All of these things seemed to come to a head this Christmas season, as my employer decided I was worth keeping around another year, our church opened it’s second campus, and our son arrived just before the year ended! It has been a whirlwind of a year, full of experiences and challenges neither of us could have imagined when we were starry eyed young kids planning our futures. God has been good and faithful, and has blessed us with a good job, a nice home, an incredible church, two wonderful families, and with amazing friends, who filled this website with comments echoing our joy and excitement when our son was born. We wouldn’t be here without you all — we certainly wouldn’t have survived this year without your support. We hope 2007 is an awesome year for all of you. Thanks for reading our site and supporting our little family — we can’t wait to see what God has in store for us this year!

3 thoughts on “So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time…

  1. On New Year’s Eve, Chad and I were doing some reflecting of our own. We couldn’t believe that one year ago on that day we had no idea what was in store for the two of you over the coming year, and we’re glad that it brought you so many blessings. We hope the only change this year is that we get to see more of you!

  2. WOW!! It seems like it was not too long ago when we were hanging out at your townhouse in the lovely town of Woodstock…lol…you both have such a wonderful “life story” ! Congratulations Jon and Nic on the birth of your son! You will both make wonderful parents! 🙂

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