Defining Moments of 2021

As we close out this year, I wanted to look back at each month and see if I could find a day/moment/event that carried weight and definition for this year. As you read or skim through these, you'll see that some are profound life moments, and some seem almost silly. But each of them mattered in their own way. 

Thank you all for reading along with me this year. I appreciate you so much! :) 

January. Ironically, for the month of January, I chose the day Ryan and I shoveled the WillowBridge parking lot together. How in the world is that defining, you may ask? It was a Sunday, and we got dumped on with a huge snowfall that we didn't realize was going to be so massive. We had to clear the parking lot and the truck with the plow wasn't getting over to us as quickly as we needed. At that point, we also didn't have a snow blower. (We do now.) Ryan and I were on duty alone. We had no choice but to suit up, head out, and get busy. Parking lots look small when you have a lot of cars to park. When you have to clear them by hand with two people? HUGE. Ryan and I worked to find a system and then just plugged away for hours. I ached for a week, I'm pretty sure. We hefted hundreds of shovels of wet snow, hauling some quite a distance across the lot into the grass. We were about 3/4 done when the plow arrived, and I cried actual tears of joy. But though we didn't know it at the time, that moment of teamwork set the stage for our year. It taught us that we were going to face surprising obstacles that we were going to have to figure out on our own. And we did it. Together.

February. Our defining moment in this month was Allen's death. In our life together, we had never received one of the middle-of-the-night phone calls, and he was certainly one of the last people for whom we imagined receiving that call. Navigating grief (from a distance) (in a pandemic), realizing the loss of one complete set of parents (new for us), journeying through the legalities of an estate, and making decisions collectively with siblings was all so new for us. Doing all of this without any lengthy break from work was something we had to figure out together. We were so grateful to have each other, and I have to say that I'm really proud of Ryan and his siblings for how they've handled all of this. They've banded together and begun to create a new path that honors the memories while focusing forward. 

March. In this month, our defining moment was much more celebratory. This was the month we officially finished renovating Abby. Like I've said on the blog before, we've done a lot of work to the homes we've lived in, but redoing an RV is a different game entirely. It was brand new for us. We did it throughout the winter months. We did it on a budget. And to be able to put those finishing touches on and realize our vision had come to pass was incredibly satisfying. It was also really good for us to have something to work on together outside of our job that fostered creativity and joy. After we put the decorative touches in, we sat on the bed and surveyed our work. I can't explain the mix of joy, excitement and relief that flooded over us as we saw our hard work realized!

April. This was another celebratory moment that defined us: reaching 100 months of marriage. We've done SO MUCH in 100 months. And I'm so grateful for all of it. I'm so grateful I've had someone to share the days with. Back when we were engaged, Lynne Ford promised me marriage was wonderful - for the simple fact that I would have someone to share the daily days with. The mundane, the awful, the wonderful - all of it would be so much better when lived alongside Ryan. She wasn't wrong. And knowing that we have now lived TRIPLE DIGIT MONTHS was awe-inspiring to me. I did not take it for granted. I still do not take it for granted.

May. Our defining moment this month was getting to leave on our trip out west! We had planned this trip in early January and had gotten special permission from Rob to be gone two full weeks. (Ten days is usually the max in our position, but because we were going so far to visit my family, he granted us extra time.) After we had planned and even made our reservations, we found out Tim and Justine were leaving and there would be no one to work alongside us in that time. We thought we were going to have to cancel everything. Rob and our LARC coworkers rallied to cover for us so we could go, because they saw our need for respite. The morning we drove out of the parking lot, the flood of excitement for a break combined with the flood of joy over this RV travel dream realized nearly overwhelmed us both! And indeed, the trip was more wonderful than we could have imagined.

June. In June, our defining moment was beginning a new chapter at WillowBridge with new coworkers. We missed Tim and Justine and the rhythm of days we had found in our months of working with them. But we were excited to welcome Sean and Sarah, train them, and begin a new season with them. It was our first time to train and establish coworkers since we arrived, and it forced us to develop even new levels of teamwork. It was good. It was refining. We had no idea we would have such an array of wildly good and wildly hard moments hit in that very month, and we hope we led well as we navigated it all with Sean and Sarah!

July. We have had a number of hard moments at WillowBridge this year...stories I can't share, but the weight of them impacted us so profoundly. July held one of those moments, and it came right on the heels of one that had taken place back in June. This one was bigger and harder and when we stacked it on top of the first one, we thought it might crush us. This was one of those moments I referenced in yesterday's post when God knew what was coming and ordained it that we would have time off right as this took place. So, while we hated knowing that Sean and Sarah were learning by fire, we took our weekend and headed to a campground. We didn't know it was off-grid in terms of internet and cell service, but oh....those days were defining in such pivotal ways. The rest. The worship. The conversations. So needed. So beautiful.

August. Ryan hurt his ankle right at the end of July, so our defining days came in the first days of August. He was down for the count in ways he had never been since we'd been at WillowBridge. He had to learn to sit (which he's TERRIBLE at doing) and I had to learn to be nurse (which I'm TERRIBLE at doing) and both of us had to figure out how to reassign everything about our work and home lives so Ryan could do what he could from the couch and I could do everything else. I had to learn to care for some things around the building that were normally his realm. I had to monitor ice baths and do foot massages and help with walks...you get the idea. It was defining and humbling for both of us, but it was really good for us, too!

September. September brought us two more heartbreaking moments at work, and not only did they happen in the same month, but they happened on the same DAY and furthermore in the same HOUR. Ryan was at the gym when the news came to me, and I remember so vividly sitting in the office at WillowBridge, staring at the news in front of me, rocking in the office chair, and smelling Phoebe's fur for one solid hour. I tried to pray, but no words came. Thankfully, Scripture tells us that the Spirit intercedes, and I counted on it in that moment. It was defining for me, because it was the first time I'd been ON MY OWN for such a moment. No way to reach anyone. Just Jesus and me. Defining. 

October. We went on our final camping trip of the season during this month, and we spent every waking moment in conversation. I don't know that we have ever talked, dreamed, and prayed as deeply and consistently as we did on this trip. It felt to me like we reached new levels of being one in spirit and purpose on this trip. It felt like we began a conversation that we are still having today. Doors of talking and sharing flung open before us on this trip, and we ran through them. A bonus? We had GORGEOUS weather and a nearly empty campground. It was nearly a perfect trip!

November. Silly as it may sound, my defining moment in November was being bitten by a dog. No, it wasn't life-changing in any long-term sort of way, but it has opened my eyes to so many things. First of all, because I'd never been bitten by an animal before, I had no idea all the protocol that goes into that sort of thing. Trying to gather information and type it into my phone while shaking from shock and pain was interesting. Then I learned that they don't like to stitch dog bites. Then I learned that all antibiotic pills are the size of Jupiter. Then I learned just how many things you use that little part of your hand for! Then I learned about patience in very slow healing and humbly asking for help for such simple tasks. Yes. Defining.

December. And then there's this very last month of 2021! The month in which we met our puppy. We know that becoming puppy parents will change so much about our lives. But we are excited to have her join our family. The night we chose her and put her face with the name we had selected was extremely defining for us. We've spent all of this month in preparation for her. Puppy classes online, buying the supplies we need, going to visit her...it's all been such a joy and a beautiful way to close the year.

Thank you, 2021, for defining me/us in so many ways. Yes, there were such hard moments. But they grew us. Yes, there were such beautiful moments. We cherish them.

And again, thank you, my friends, for reading along here each day. Much love to you as you welcome 2022!

The Other Side of Belief

 

My very first post of 2021 was all about my word of the year: believe. 

I went back to read that post yesterday, because I wanted to see what I had to say about my hopes for how the word would impact my life in this year.

I'm happy to report that I did not forget about my word this year. I thought of it often. I kept it in front of me and worked to remind myself of its importance. And today, as we are so close to the end of this calendar year, I want to share how my thoughts compare and differ from my perspective going into the year.

* Back in January, I said: "It feels to so many hearts that if we can somehow get past writing 2020 on everything, life will reset and be okay again. But 2021 is merely a new number and no magical fix arrives in a Santa-esque way, dropped down chimneys at midnight on New Year's Eve." 

Boy, that turned out to be true, didn't it? This year was, in some ways, just an extension of the difficulties of 2020, on global and personal levels.

* I also said, "We do, however, have control over what goes on inside our hearts, minds, and thoughts. We have the chance to marry our thoughts into the covenant of God's Word and His desires. And that's what I hope to believe most in this new year. 

Ryan can vouch that while I did not execute this perfectly, I did live in this frame of mind throughout the year. I have wrestled (HARD) with what goes on inside my mind, heart, and thoughts this year. More than any other year of my life, I've sought and fought to protect my mind, heart, and faith from Satan's attacks. 

Scripture talks about thinking on the things that are true and right, and I've been learning to put those truths in writing and put them in front of my face so I can say them out loud over and over. Even still, there are times Ryan has to remind me to fight for God's truth to rule INSIDE my heart and mind.

* I wrapped up that January post by saying, "In this year, I'm believing God. I'm marrying my thoughts to His Word and I'm believing Him to do big and impossible things in our lives and in this work we've been called to do."

I had no idea, back in January, all we would face in this work this year. I had no idea the good things that would come our way, and I had no idea the utter heartbreak and discouragement that would come right alongside it. I had no idea the things we would see, the words we would hear, and the decisions we would have to make.

Ryan has told me multiple times this year (and he's right!) that the life I have lived this year is one I never could have fathomed, but I've shown a strength I didn't know I had within me. (He didn't know I had it either.)

God has indeed done big and impossible things in our lives and in our work. The truth of it is, on our own, we absolutely, 100% could not have survived the year we have had. 

But God.

He ordained weekends for us to fall in the moments we literally couldn't make it one more day. (We choose our weekends months ahead of time and have no way of knowing when those breaking days are going to hit.) 

He sent support when we had none.

He helped Ryan and I become an even stronger team. 

He gave me strength and boldness to advocate for our tenants and team in ways that the Bekah of old never could have done.

He helped us overcome disappointment and discouragement and get back up so we could keep going.

So here we are, at the end of this year and I am grateful for my focus on belief this year. I didn't do a perfect job of it. I doubted and faltered a whole bunch. But I also did wrap my mind and heart around a determination to believe a whole bunch, too.

2022 means it's time for a new word, but this one has to stay. I can't abandon it. It matters too much.

Favorite Places of 2021

Today's trip down memory lane has some to do with travel and some to do with some of my general favorite places from this year - and the reasons I love them so much!

* We don't get to do this nearly as much in the cold weather...not so much because of the cold itself, but more because of the abbreviated daylight hours...but oh how I loved our walks through the meadow this year. Because the walls are thin in our building, Ryan and I have always found it easier and better to have our deep talks/processing conversations while out on walks. We spent a lot of time in this meadow in ALL seasons of the year, and it has become so dear to both of us!

* On our 100th monthiversary, we visited the Botanical Conservatory in downtown Fort Wayne, and it was SO beautiful! They switch up their themes a few times each year (we were there at the end of their Easter theme) and I'd love to go see some of the others! 

* That same day, we also explored downtown Fort Wayne. It's such a pretty city. The skyline...the river...the park...it's lovely. 

* Maybe it's because it was our first destination in Abby...maybe it's because the lodge was shaped like an A-frame...I'm not sure, but I really did enjoy visiting Hueston Woods State Park this spring. It's in Ohio, and we didn't get to explore the park really at all, so this absolutely on the list of places I'd love to go back to when I can actually see the park. (I was there to speak at an event, and when it was over, the weather was not conducive to exploration...just in case you missed why I would be at a state park and not actually exploring the state park.) OH wait! Maybe it was the double rainbow I saw there?

* For Ryan's birthday, we visited the RV Museum/Hall of Fame in Elkhart, and that was a fun place to see! They have actual campers and RVs from days of yore, and they were SO MUCH fun to see. It's crazy to see how they began way back in the day and how far they've come!

* For my birthday, went hiking at Eagle Marsh on the south side of Fort Wayne. All those many years I worked at the station and drove right by this all the time...I had no idea how huge it was! Bonus of seeing deer? YES PLEASE! I'd love to go hiking here again! (There were parts we couldn't explore because it was too wet. I'd love to see those areas if we found the dry season!)

* Throughout this week, I've mentioned our trip to see our friends, the Bromptons, in Colorado. Not only was their place a joy to see, stay at, and explore, but it was also the first time either of us had ever been to Colorado, and we loved it! We were just over the eastern line into the state, so we didn't get to the mountainous areas. This whet our appetite to visit Colorado and see even more of it!

* Speaking of places that made us want to see more...Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park (in Kansas) made me want to revisit my ideas for visiting the Badlands. I had friends who went there a few years ago and their pictures sold me on putting it on my list! This stop reminded me why!

* My sister's little town in Kansas is always one of my favorite places to go - not just because we get to see our family, but because it's so cute!! Its resilience (post-tornado) always inspires me, and the rebuilding they've done is top-notch.

* Two of my favorite places this year were getting to visit the Little House on the Prairie sites in Independence, Kanas, and Mansfield, Missouri. I can't wait to see all the rest of them and finish getting stamps in my Little House passport!

* The small town of big things in Casey, Illinois was a favorite stop for us this year. Small towns are admittedly my jam, and this one was cute enough to make me say I'd want to live there! (Not just for the coffee shop, but there was that...)

* Ryan surprised me with a trip to Beef and Boards to see The Sound of Music, and it was one of my favorite places this year! Even better? Our friends Jon and Julie came along for a double date! I absolutely love The Sound of Music, and this was a great performance. This was supposed to be my birthday gift in 2020, but it was postponed. (And then Ryan sprained his ankle 2 days before we went and had to ice bath his foot all the way to Indianapolis and back!) 

* One of my favorite places this year? ABBY!!! When we were shopping for an RV, we actually looked at some camper vans and one of the things the salesman noted to us was that in inclement weather, vans can be a little cramped. We were so glad he mentioned that and that we chose something a little larger. Whenever it was rainy/buggy/too hot/whatever - Abby was perfectly comfortable, and we enjoyed EVERY minute we spent in there. (Except the one where I busted the water pitcher by accident and flooded the entire floor.)

* And though we aren't big-city enough to want to live there, we did love the treasures of Nashville! The parks, the Opryland hotel, the pedestrian bridge...it was all really wonderful to visit!

* And last but not least...I don't have a photo of it, but one of my favorite places this year, oddly enough, has been the WillowBridge basement. I've spent hours there, walking laps, talking to friends on Marco Polo, praying, listening to worship music, and enjoying some quiet and respite. It has meant so much to me to have that one space away from everything and everyone when I need some time!

Favorite Firsts of 2021

 

Yesterday I shared with you some of my favorite pictures (and a video!) from 2021, and today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite firsts from this past year. How amazing is it to be 43 and still enjoying firsts? What a blessing to always find new things to experience, no matter how old I/we get! 

* Okay, so this one is Ryan's, but it was one of my favorite things he did this year. He found out he could reupholster the panels in Abby the RV! Goodbye, purple velvet!! I really appreciate all the skills he discovered he had throughout that renovation project. Saved us quite a bit of money!

* I had always wanted to try out one of those pottery painting places, and this year, we were able to do just that! We took WillowBridge there for a tenant's birthday, and we had so much fun creating! Ryan and I made a Christmas ornament, and I have enjoyed seeing it on our tree this year!

* I was 42 years old when I went sledding down a hill for the first time! Terrifying for a girl who doesn't like going fast, but so much fun! I was so glad the hill was mostly empty the day we went. Made it easier on my embarrassment. LOL!!

* Another thing I'd wanted to try for a long time? Rolled ice cream. The construction of it is FASCINATING to watch, and it's delicious to eat! I'm so glad we went.

* We can now officially say we have renovated an RV! I honestly never thought I'd be able to say that, and it's definitely one of my favorite memories of 2021. Seeing it all DONE for the first time was pretty amazing.

* One of our marriage favorites from this year? Landing in triple digits! We took our 100th monthiversary off work and had the best day celebrating!

* And of course, there was one of our biggest firsts of the year! Our first official camping trip! It took place in April, and we went to a state park in Ohio!

* At 42 years of age, I received my first Mother's Day greeting:

* Our trip to our friends' ranch provided many firsts for me! They included...talking on a genuine (working!) old fashioned phone, churning butter, making rope, taking a wagon ride while being pulled by oxen, and being close to oxen in general! It was also our first time to have genuine campfire coffee!

* Our first time to see land formations like those in Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park? Amazing and breathtaking. Seeing what God has done inspired worship in our souls!

* This year was definitely the first time we ever stood inside a mailbox. :) 

* I went back to being a brunette for the first time in about half a decade. ;)

* 2021 brought our first ER visit in a while! Ryan's massively sprained ankle warranted some x-rays to check for a break. No break. Just the worst possible kind of sprain. Days of ice baths. Weeks of elevation. Months later and it's beginning to be normal again. Still not fully healed! (This may not have been a FAVORITE first, but it was a notable one.)

* First time camping with a dog!! We knew when we went on this trip that we would be getting a dog of our own, so this was a great trial run. We had such fun with Phoebe. It was a first for her too! She'd never been camping before. Handled it like a champ!

* Ryan's first pie eating contest. He came in second (on a technicality. Should have been first.)

* We became godparents for the first time this year. Being chosen to be part of his life has been one of our greatest joys.

* Ryan's first candy-making lessons took place this year, and he had so much fun learning from Mom! It was fun to watch him take in everything she taught!

* This year was the first time we went to a proper small-town tree lighting. It was just like the Hallmark channel. 

* Our first taste of Crumbl Cookies! SO GOOD!!!!!

* We explored Nashville, Tennessee, for the very first time. Beautiful city! Too big for us, but so pretty.

* After months of praying, prepping, and planning, we met our first ever dog!! We love our Lexi. She's not home with us yet, but it was so fun to have a face to put with the name we chose!

I'm so looking forward to many more notable firsts in the year to come!