As I reflect this past year on the 24th day of December, this year like all of last year has been filled with high’s and low’s.  Here is a compilation  of some of the highlights I have been blessed to experience.

The first ended with a Denver Bronco victory over the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl of which my mother and my sister are the greatest fans of all. 

Nadine in February sold her two vehicles she had for several years, and surprised me by buying a new truck.  I had missed my truck that I gave to Carter, so I was reacquainted with what a wonderful experience it is to drive a truck.

It’s always special spending time with the grandkids, even when you get to fly a kite with Brayden, my oldest grandson.

In April, my middle daughter recommitted her life to the Lord and was baptized by the pastor that founded our church, Don Doe.  It was truly a special occasion.

In April, my mom cracked her pelvis and was placed in the hospital.  There was a time we didn’t know if she was going to survive, but once they got her off the pain medication that caused her to emulate a stroke, she came back and is walking and talking and better than she was before the fall.  We have visited her several times this year in Colorado Springs.

On July 27, we celebrated Greyson, our youngest grandson’s 2 year birthday.  He is such a wonderful child and has a personality to go with his red hair.

During July we also took some time visiting our oldest daughter Deborah and adopted 4th daughter Patty, Deborah’s roommate.  It was the first time for Nadine in Chicago and we had a blast.  We did get caught in a downpour, so we made rain-gear from shopping bags.

I had the privilege of officiating two weddings in October and November.  The first was in Temecula, CA in the wine country which was a wonderful experience for Nadine and I to get away.

For 10 years I have been leading a small group bible study and one of the traditions each year is to have the ugliest sweater contest as well as a white elephant gift exchange.  Everyone voted my gift as the worst.  I don’t know why, wouldn’t everyone want some used springs that were taken from a trampoline no longer useful.  There are some white elephant gifts that have come back to be regiven for several years.

With all the highs of 2016, there were also some lows with relational challenges that caused Nadine and I to be on our knees praying for various situations.  God does say that He causes all things to work out for good to those who love Him.  We have prayed for that outcome and are beginning to see how He is working through those challenges.

On this journey there will be good things as well as challenging things that happen on the road throughout life.  When we put our focus on the source of life, it enables us to look with hope for a positive outcome.  May you experience peace and comfort on your journey for 2017.