Right after our update in September, we spent a fun-filled October in California near the kids. We also found out that we would be grandparents in the spring!! It was good to have time with the kids and also to be a part of each of the kids’ churches. Teresa even attended a ladies retreat with Winter. One of our fun outings was a trip to a lavender farm where we had food with a lavender twist. Another highlight was getting to see David and his team volley it out to see who would be the CBU Volleyball Intramural champions. They didn’t win but it was a close, exciting game!
In November, we headed towards Tennessee with a stop at an RV meetup in New Mexico and another stop in Texas to get caught up with friends. We tried pickle ball for the first time and plan on playing more this year.
Most of November and December was spent at the Grand Ole RV Park in Goodlettsville, TN. The park has a fun vibe to it with music nightly at the clubhouse. It is also close to Nana and Papaw. Noel was also able to help some of RV owners by fixing their different issues.
Winter, Nathan, and David joined us for Thanksgiving at Nana and Papaws. We were also joined by Nathan’s cousin, Megan, and David’s girlfriend, Rachel. The house rang with laughter as we played games, put together a puzzle, and ate too much yummy food. Nathan, our coffee aficionado, found us a nearby coffee shop that had special holiday drinks that we might have tried more than once. Most of all, our hearts were full by the time we all parted ways.
Christmas was in Iowa with Teresa’s mom. David flew in to be with us. On Christmas Eve we were able to attend the service at Milo CU. It was a special time as almost everyone attending had some role in the service whether it was playing an instrument, being in the play or lighting an advent candle. After Christmas, Teresa’s sister and her family joined us at Mom’s. Mom spoiled us with all our favorite dishes. The cousins played lots of ping pong and others games. David and Sydney even wrote the annual Christmas story for Grandma. I won’t give the plot away but it did have space beavers in it.
January had us heading to warmer weather in Florida. I wouldn’t say that the month was warm but I am sure it was warmer than other parts of the United States. We enjoyed time with Noel’s sister and her family playing games, visiting farmers markets, playing pickle ball, and picking strawberries. Noel’s parents even joined us all for a few days. The third week in January, we made a quick trip to Indiana. Noel had a training so Teresa spent a few days with her sister. Our last week in Florida, we were able to reconnect with old friends from college and get caught up with Noel’s aunt and uncle.
This past year had been good as we continue to travel and spend time with family and friends. We are thankful for our remote jobs that allow us to travel but that we also enjoy. We also enjoy the variety that our jobs bring as we never know what tasks that day will have. Teresa is still teaching PreCal and Algebra II and now has a few live sessions each week. Noel continues in his role at MAF as a business analyst.
So are we ready to settle somewhere? The answer is not yet. We are moving less and spending more time in one place than we were a year ago, but we still feel the need to be in different places at different times of the year. Becoming grandparents does play into the equation of wanting to stay mobile.
Winter and Nathan are excited to be welcoming Baby Paul in May. We ask prayers for them as Baby Paul has been diagnosed with Gastroschisis. Pray for Winter and Nathan as they navigate becoming new parents but also as they deal with this medical issue. Pray for the medical people who will be involved in the delivery and later a surgery to correct the situation. In a world of unknowns, we worship and know a God who is control of all the details of our lives. We pray for God’s glory in this situation.