Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

What 2013 Looked Like for Us:




*Best Meal*: for our 5th anniversary we went to a restaurant in Rochester, MI called "Kruse & Muir on Main". The service was fantastic, but the food was incredible. My meal was lobster and shrimp with saffron cream! We then had homemade chocolate mousse (on the house because it was our anniversary!) Absolutely SUPERB!

*Favorite Book*: "Not a Fan" Kyle Idleman :-)

*Soundtrack*: The Rend Collective Experiment "Campfire"

*Movies*: "Frozen" and "Impossible"

*Songs*: "He is with us" Love & the Outcome, "What are we waiting for" Matt Papa, and "Worn" Tenth Avenue North

*Favorite place we visited*: Lake Ann, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Traverse City, and Glen Arbor (all with my little family, parents, brother and SIL in August!)

*Epic Moment*: When we were at North Park for our final night of candidating and then left so they could vote for Michael. After we left and went to a local coffee shop to wait to hear, they called us with the news that the church had voted us in with an overwhelming YES! As we walked back into the church that evening, tears of joy were in both of our eyes as the wonderful people clapped and cheered for us. We then had a short time of prayer and everyone came forward to congratulate and welcome us as their new pastor and his wife. We will never forget that beautiful night!

*Most Poignant*: our mission's trip to Detroit. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that my life and outlook was forever changed as we ministered to the people there. We went to help them, but I think we were helped and encouraged even more by their love and acceptance of us. :-)

*Greatest Joy*: watching my children grow and not only love us and each other, but learn about Jesus and how He died for them!

*Scariest afternoon*: when my grandma was undergoing a quadruple bypass and we weren't sure if she was going to make it. So thankful that God spared her life and she is still with us :-)

*High Point*: moving to Grand Rapids is definitely #1, but meeting Kristyn Getty at the gospel coalition conference in April and getting my picture taken with her was a close second. ;-)

*Theme Verse*: 1 Peter 5:10
"And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."