It’s here, saying goodbye to 2020 and looking toward a new year. I know it will be a year in our country’s history that was filled with fear, darkness, and mourning. The year of coronavirus. The year that we hit horrible milestones.  Maybe for your family, it was a year of pain and loss.  

I have to believe that in the tough, God was still in control.  He was still trustworthy.  It’s who He is.  I have clung to Psalm 56:3…

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 

And Psalm 27:13…

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

I have a tendency to list off all that’s bad. All that hurts. The list seems longer this year.  There is always something negative to steal our focus. But something powerful happens when we stop and call out all that is good. Looking at those blessings, can bring our hearts to a place of gratitude even when we are hurting. 

As a family, we reflected on only great things from 2020.  Many didn’t even feel like they were this year! Our list consisted of many of the same things.  Thank you, God, for the good.  

Ella Jay’s 2020 Highlights

• Our sweet four kittens were born just as the quarantine started…perfect distraction. 
• Being able to play softball with the Orlando Impact! They safely played and competed. She worked hard and had a blast! 
• And of course finally catching a jack! 

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Emma Grace’s 2020 Highlights

• Turning 13! Becoming a teenager in the middle of the pandemic could have been quite depressing.  We surprised her with a super special birthday parade. Also, a physically distant party in park with her family.  She actually said “this was my best birthday ever!”
• Performing in her first ever virtual show for Fringe (only 2020).

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Thomas’s 2020 Highlights

• Escaping to the mountains in September for a few days to detach and reconnect as a family.  
• Our church, Grace City, where he co-pastors, moved locations. We worked through renovation, shut down, launched online worship, safely welcomed church back, and grew…all during a pandemic! We are serving with the best of friends!

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For me, it was a blessing to still serve at the Z.  Challenging at times, but an honor to be considered “essential” in the community.  We were able to be live everyday and point people to Jesus.  The Morning Show did Facebook live every weekday throughout the spring and weekly through the summer and connected with kids as they dealt with major change. I’m so grateful for our team. 

Mostly, my highlight of 2020 is the realigning of life.  We got back to the basics. Family dinners every night, board games, evening walks with my momma around the neighborhood, and FaceTiming often with family in Michigan. 

God gave us the gift of pausing to recalibrate the important things…to look to Him instead of fear.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7

We end this year focusing on the positive, praying for those hurting the most, and hopeful for a new year with moments of God’s goodness.

I would love to hear about a few of your favorite moments of 2020!