Reflections & Celebrations

As 2024 comes to a close, like most people, I start to reflect on the events of the past year. I have had my share of ups and downs, normalcy and crazy curveballs. But through it all, I have seen the grace and mercy of my loving Father, who never gives up on me. I am so incredibly thankful for all this year has taught me and look forward to what the Lord has in store for 2025! 

​As a base, we have talked quite a bit about preparing ourselves for the new season that the Lord is bringing. During intercession this week, the Lord reminded me of another prayer time we had on the flight deck of the USS Lexington back in 2021. As I looked out over the city, praying for revival, the Lord showed me a picture of a cluttered house, full of things that had been collected over the years. Things that when compared to the glory of Jesus, had no eternal value. These cluttered items made it difficult to move around and accomplish all that needed to be done within the space. I felt Him tell me He needed room to move. That in order to do all that He needed and wanted to do, in my life personally and in the church as a whole, I/we needed to get rid of the things that were hindering Him from moving freely. I was so thankful that the Lord brought this image back to my mind this past week. So, this is my prayer going into 2025 - to declutter my heart and spiritual life so He has the space He needs to move. 

​Here are a few songs that have been on repeat in my home for quite a while now. ​

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YWAM Ships Corpus Christi Turns 5!

On December 1st, 2019, our tiny team pulled into the Texas Coastal Bend. I had said yes to helping pioneer a new YWAM base in Corpus Christi - sight unseen. I had never been to Texas before. In fact, it was one of 4 states that I told the Lord I would 'never' live (He's sure got a sense of humor, haha). All I knew about Corpus was it was on the Gulf Coast and didn't really have much of a skyline (I had checked). I remember coming into the outskirts of the city after driving many long hours from Dallas. It was dark out and I could see lights in the distance that looked like a beautiful city skyline. I told Holly, "I thought Corpus didn't have a lot of tall buildings? This is so beautiful!" She chuckled and then laughed out loud when we got closer and I discovered they were not the lights from a beautiful skyline, but lights from one of the 4 or 5 oil refineries in our county. It was quite the introduction to my new home. 

The last 5 years have had more twists and turns than I could have ever imagined possible, both in YWAM and in my personal life. Our favorite phases have been, "Don't just be flexible, be fluid." and 'Plans subject to change." And while I am a planner who likes things to go a certain way, I have come to appreciate when things do always go the way I thought they would. I know my life would not be as full if I only did what I thought best instead of letting the Lord lead. His ways are wacky at times, but so worth it in the long run. 
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Another Birthday Celebration

In October, we got to celebrate Little Miss's 1st birthday! She loves the Ladybug Girl books, so we went all out with that theme. She had so much fun with all of her friends, aunties, and uncles. She loved being the center of attention and discovered how fun it was to clap and see everyone clap after her (top right photo). She found that more entertaining than her presents! She's definitely a people-person😊. So thankful for my community who came out to celebrate her. She loves her people so much!
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Happy Thanksgiving!

This year for Thanksgiving, we got to spend it with the Schmidts and one of our new families, the Massengales. Little Miss absolutely adores their kiddos and they had so much fun playing and laughing together. I love the sweet community that I have here in Corpus!
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Family Christmas in Corpus

For the 1st time since I joined YWAM as a missionary in 2010, I have the privilege of hosting my mom in my home! She arrived on the 7th and Little Miss and her were best friends right away! She even got to join my church in their 12th birthday celebration and the dedication of their new sanctuary. I can't even being to explain what her being here has done for my heart. It's one thing to share stories of your life; it's an entirely different thing to share the experiences. So thankful that she is able to be here! My nieces, Sophie-Ann and Lili, decided it would be fun to experience a Texas Christmas as well. Having family here for Christmas is a pretty special thing!
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As you are praying about year-end gifts or Christmas blessings, please consider supporting me personally as a missionary. I do not receive a salary with YWAM, and all of my support comes through partnership with people, businesses, and churches who believe in what I am doing in Corpus Christi. The last time I formally fundraised for monthly support was right before I moved to Texas and I am amazed at how the Lord has sustained me month to month. After 5 years, I am needing to add new partners to the team and increase my financial support. If you would like to be part of what the Lord is doing here in Corpus Christi, please dive in and let me know! There are a few ways you can give - tax deductible options available. 

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