Well, it seems change is the name of the game this year for the Bowyers...
....and in keeping with that, Steve and I have decided not to send out Christmas cards.
But, we still wanted to send our greetings to all our friends, so I decided to put our Christmas letter up here on the blog.
Though there have been LOTS of changes for us this year, one thing has remained constant....
....the love our Savior.
His constant presence, provision and blessings have overflowed in our lives.
Alyssa, finished her first full year as a Speech Language Pathologist and now has the letters behind her name to prove it!!! We couldn't be more proud of her! She loves her job and seems to thrive there. She is attending a wonderful church and has jumped right in with bible study, young adults class and working with kids.
After such a great year, it sort of ended on a tough note. In November, Alyssa got very sick with strep and staph pneumonia and was hospitalized for 4 days. Steve and I both took turns going down there to help take care of her. The docs have since decided to take out her tonsils and adenoids over the holidays. So if you think about it, prayers for a smooth surgery and recovery would be so appreciated!!
As most of you know, Jason got married in July! We have a wonderful new daughter-in-love, Kristen, and she has just blended so beautifully into our family!! Jason and Kristen live in Northwest Arkansas where together they run 2 businesses that keep them busy! Jason's band has also had a great year and we are hoping that their success will lead to the fulfillment of some dreams in 2015!!!
Jared is in the middle of his junior year at Anderson University in Indiana. He is officially taking 18 hours and unofficially 24....yikes! We don't hear from him much! He did one of his practicums at an elementary school this semester and realized that he loved teaching that age group! It is so fun to see them excited about what they are doing!! He will be home soon and we can't wait!
Steve's mom has had a rough year...a serious fall, small heart attack and 2 trips to the hospital and rehab have had us making many trips up to Kansas to help her. What a blessing to have the time to do that!!! It has been so great for Steve to be able to love on her that way.
Steve and I have learned so much this year....mainly that God is more trustworthy and faithful than we ever imagined. We have also been learning how to wait on God and not future blessings...seeing Him in today...trying to be present in the moment so that we are available to be used no matter where we are.
Christmas has us heading to Houston.
First, for me to take care of Alyssa after her surgery. Then the boys will join us for Christmas-after-Christmas (what I am now calling it!). Jason and Kristen will already be there as her family lives just 30 minutes from Alyssa. We are excited to be able to spend some time with them and get to know them better!
We hope this holiday season finds you trusting God.
He is more than able to carry any and every burden/circumstance you have.
5 comments:
Wonderful letter - a lot has happened. Certainly a year in which God has been glorified in you all in both the trials and the triumphs.
Thinking of you as you addressed the pain issue recently and I hope each day it lessens for you...
Thankful for you!
Steph
"mainly that God is more trustworthy and faithful than we ever imagined. We have also been learning how to wait on God and not future blessings...seeing Him in today...trying to be present in the moment so that we are available to be used no matter where we are"...love, love, love!!
I have fought the frustration of not being able to be used as I thought it should go down, but I know God doesn't waste anything.
Wise words, my Friend. Praying you continue to live in His promises in 2015. He has not forgotten you!
Hey, its 2014 - blogging is where you should do your Christmas letter anyways ;)
Will be praying for Alyssa and all of you. I've really learned even more this year how faithful God is. We've been through a lot of hard stuff with my brother and my parents, but God is helping us through it all.
Great letter! Here's praying the holidays are the blessing that I know they will be - AND that the new year brings more immediate blessings to you & Steve!
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