I’ve heard a lot of complaints about 2023 being a tough year, but for our family, we don’t really have much bad to say for it. Compared to pandemic years, it was pretty great, in fact.
We started off the year with notice that our Green Cards were on the way — after 14 years as guests, we were finally invited to be permanent residents. This adjustment of status meant easier, less stressful travels, an identity for Nic, and new professional options for me. We began flexing our new freedom almost immediately — starting with a vacation in Dominican with old friends and travel buddies from Canada, while my parents hopped across the pond to stay with the kids.
Upon our return, we dove into exploring careers. Ben got, then quit, his first job. Nic applied, and was hired for, her first job since before Ben was born. And I quit my job, to start my own consulting business. These changes had varying levels of success…
I made Ben quit, when it became clear his fast food overlords were only too happy to take advantage of his eager work ethic. Nic’s part time role frequently requires more hours of her than advertised, but occasionally makes up for it with stories of the elementary school kids she helps feed. And starting a business has provided a rich new set of lessons, challenges, highs and lows, that have provided more opportunity for growth than I could have predicted. I’m very lucky that my previous employer was eager to purchase my services (although their accounting department isn’t quite as eager to pay my invoices on time.) Its also been great to explore other connections and relationships, and pursue other opportunities.
2023 also saw milestones for the girls. Eli kicked off her summer with a broken collarbone, and subsequent surgery, Abi secured her learner’s permit on her first try, and we all had a wonderful summer where we stuck pretty close to home. Then the girls capped their vacation off by getting baptized in a beautiful outdoor service at our sweet little country church, witnessed by friends, church family, and Canadian family who were able to make the trek.
In the latter half of the year, we all had a getaway with the aforementioned travel buddies, the kids mostly succeeded at their academic endeavors, and we enjoyed Christmas in Ohio with my folks hopping over again from England, followed by more Christmas in Canada with Nic’s family. We also received the bonus gift of a new, un-asked-for (at least by me!) kitten, living in our car.
In fact, if I have a complaint about 2023, it was that maybe we’ve all gotten a little too comfortable. 8 years in the same place more than doubles our previous record, and while Ohio has its up-sides, the 60mph wind whipping snow at our house as I write this reminds me that there are other places we might want to go, and other contexts we want our kids to know.
So in 2024, we plan to go again. The details are still coming together, but plans are in place for a church missions trip to Asia, followed for our family by a little additional exploration. We weren’t sure how many would be interested, but the current team size sits around 18 people — a huge group for our little church, most of whom with little travel experience. Its shaping up to be a pretty cool adventure, and an exciting opportunity to learn more about God’s heart for the whole world.
Of course, others in that world might not share such positive feelings about 2023. A lot has gone wrong on our broken and hurting planet. And while we love this country that lets us call it our second home, we’re very concerned about what 2024’s election will bring. More than ever we need reasonable, effective leadership to navigate global events.
Because of the job I’m in, I also can’t help but reflect on technology, and how its impact is felt throughout our lives. 2023 included some culturally impactful innovations, which I wrote about — and will likely write more about in 2024! In fact, this post was delayed by some changes I had to make to the site as a result of how the Internet is evolving. This little blog has been around for 23 years; I’m grateful to those still reading it in 2024, but I’m increasingly uncomfortable with the progression of this inter-network on which it resides.
But whether online, or not, we are all connected: from Gaza to Ukraine, and Ohio to Taiwan, every one of us is made in the image of a loving God, with gifts and a purpose to explore and share with each other. I hope in 2024 we can find better ways to understand that — as a family, and as a species.
