It seems like I find myself saying this every year but here it is again...where did this past year go? I blinked and it was over! They say the older you get the faster time goes - I can agree with that!
To sum up the year 2013 in the Arrington home...I would have to say CHANGE! Although this is a somewhat common theme in our family life - 2013 was filled with many changes for us in several areas. The thing about change is this - it can be painful at times, hard to embrace, uncomfortable to be sure BUT it can also be the beginning of something new and beautiful, the new horizon on a new adventure, a time of growth and a time of bonding...All of the above would describe 2013 for us.
January - Found us in Borger Texas. I took over as Librarian at our church library and although a new position for me, one I loved!!! Joel was on staff as Children's and Families Pastor. Two of our four children were doing school at home and we were gearing up for softball! Joel also performed his first wedding for our adopted daughter Katy and her husband Angel!!! All four kids were involved in the wedding as well and they were excited about that!!!
February - Found us enjoying a Texas sized snow in Borger! Several days of snow shoveling and fun!!! A little taste of Colorado for our hearts was WONDERFUL!!!
March - Two major trips for me! First a Mission Trip to Laredo Tx with my two middle children during Spring Break. It was so wonderful to see them serving and reaching for the Kingdom and to really get to know the people of Laredo. Next a GIRLS Week to Las Vegas with one of the two people I truly call Best Friend!!! Thanks to our amazing hubbies and their willingness to sacrifice financially and keep the homefront - my friend Dani and I were able to fly and meet up in Vegas for some much needed R&R!!!
April - Began the stirring in our hearts that perhaps our time at First Borger was coming to an end. Of all our moves and of all the ministries we have left I can tell you this was one we wrestled with in prayer for many weeks. Circumstances had found all the staff except for Joel and our Sr Pastor at other churches. The Sr Pastor was in talks with another church as well and we were at a cross-roads.
May - God confirmed His calling for us to leave Borger by opening the door at First Baptist Levelland in truly a way that can only be accredited to the Lord. We had not looked for them but rather a college friend contacted us about the possibility - with no knowledge that we were even looking!!! On May 19th we came in view of a call to Levelland and Joel accepted the position as Children's and Families Pastor.
June - After finishing school in Borger and moving our belongings into temporary storage in Levelland - we took a MUCH needed vacation to Colorado!!! It was so wonderful to just relax and enjoy time with friends and family and each other. June 15 was our official move day to Levelland Tx!
July - Joel and I celebrated 18 years of marriage, our three oldest went on their first trip with the Levelland youth group and the kids and I enjoyed much down time playing games and relaxing! We also helped with the summer kids program Destination Summer at church!! Very fun times...
August - I went back to work full-time for the first time in almost 5 years! It has been an adjustment but overall a good thing. We are working towards being in a position to purchase a home at some point in 2014 (more on that in a separate post). I am working in Credit Administration at a local bank - definitely a new experience for me as I have had no experience in the banking industry but it has been good!!! Kids also started school here in Levelland - with ALL four in public school and an answer to prayer - they are adjusting really well!!!!
September - Hannah joined the Cross Country team here and so we became THOSE parents that are up at the crack of dawn on Saturdays driving here and there to see her run!!! It has been fun!!! Also, she is very active in Choir and so I am helping with the groundwork of getting the Booster Club for the Choir up and going - a learning experience to be sure!!! We also kicked off Children's Church at Levelland - a new thing for them and it is going GREAT!!!
October -We began plans for our first Fall Festival here in Levelland! It was so much fun and we are looking forward to even more in 2014. We also welcomed the arrival of our first adopted "grandchild"! Anastacia Feliz Hernandez was born to Katy and Angel!!! Katy has been like a daughter to us since our time in Bayfield and we have been blessed by her in many many ways!!
November - We celebrated our first Thanksgiving here with just us and the kids!! It was a very fun and relaxing day as we declared it "No technology" Day and just enjoyed each other!!!
December - A BUSY time!!! We had choir concerts, church dinner theater, parties, and much more!!! We loved embracing the season but were also glad to see it calm down some!!! Christmas was special as we got to celebrate with us and the kids, the Arrington side and the Ashcraft side! Also in December - Joel finished at Liberty University with a Bachelors in Religion!!!! Definitely something we were happy to see him work towards and equally happy to see completed!!! Words cannot express how happy and proud I am of him for persevering and reaching for it in spite of all the distractions, changes and obstacles!!!
And that is a wrap on 2013!!! Hopefully later today I will get a post up as to what we are looking forward to in the coming year!!!
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