For me, this fall has been about catching my breath. Honestly, this is the first time since I got pregnant with Abby that I have felt like I had my brain, my hormones, my SELF back. Life has been very overwhelming for me for a long time and my responses to the pressures have been, at times, less than godly. I am so very thankful to the Lord for the grace he gave during that time and patience he has for sinful and struggling believers on the road to glory.
The biggest change was the opening of Beacon Hill Classical Academy! The Lord is so kind to give us the desires of our heart: an institution which comes alongside the churches and parents of Ventura County to raise up thinking Christians to redeem the culture for Christ. And these kids are absolutely flourishing! It is so exciting to see what is possible in education. And the positive peer pressure these kids give each other--iron sharpening iron--just spurs them on toward love and good deeds. I am very thankful to the Lord carrying us through to the first day and beyond. We continue to look ahead and see what the Lord has for Beacon Hill next year.
Devin has been very busy building up the school and working on his new Master's Degree in Classical Studies. He is such a rock: diligent, hopeful, and persistent even through the busiest times.
I never seen the family so full of purpose and joy. Aiden has been learning the piano and filling our home with beautiful music to the glory of God. We have begun hymn singing nights at our house to give the church more opportunity to learn how to sing well and bring a joyful and beautiful noise to the Lord at church services. Jonathan is learning to read and is bold and excited about his young faith. Geneva is thrilled to go to Awana Cubbies and seems to understand the Gospel more and more. Abby just loves to be with her siblings and it is a joy to see them loving on each other. Life is really good right now.
Oh, and also I'm training for a half marathon. January 9th in Irvine. It's been so fun (I can't believe I really said that). More on that in a later post.
Here are a few pictures from this fall.
Geneva "visiting the ballerinas." She doesn't know it yet, but it really was her free trial lesson at Oakley Ballet School. She will be getting ballet lessons for Christmas!
Decorating gingerbread houses with Beacon Hill classmates and friends, the Spooners.
At the Awana Grand Prix in November.
Aiden and the beloved Mrs. McElroy at the Fall Festival.
Governor Bradford, I mean Jonathan on the last day of school before Thanksgiving.
Yes, this is really what you think it is. Abigail fell asleep standing up.
(By the way--I accidentally reset my camera to black and white and green for a few weeks--oops)
Sweet times. I've been waiting a long time for these moments.
Reformation Day/Halloween costumes. Pilgrim, Indian, and Raggedy Ann.
Here's Aiden rockin' his Martin Luther haircut.
"Here I stand."
Awwwww...
Devin's class eating "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" treats
First day at Beacon Hill!
Date to the Getty Museum in September
Abby's first night in her big girl bed!
2 comments:
Amy, I LOVE the pictures! Only one problem...those cannot be your kids! Those kids are much too grown up! I am more proud than words can say that you are training for a half marathon. In decades past, I ran and sweated and wore running shoes, and you gracefully leapt and swayed across stages. And I am not at all likely to sign up for a dance competition...so way to go my dear, dear friend!
Looks like a lot of fun! I'm so excited for you to do a half marathon in January-that sure takes a lot of work!!
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