I want to share a few pictures from our Christmas celebration. Do you mind?
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| Traditional Swedish Christmas Eve Dinner \\ wasa bread \\ cranberries \\ sweedish meatballs \\ julmust |
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| Mr. E. and me at his parent’s house \\ Mom E. recently joined twitter! \\A gift from Mr. E.’s sister, a dradle made in Israel. |
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| Sister E., Grandmother E., me, Mr. E. |
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| Cody was not allowed in the living room while we were opening presents. |
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| My 91 year old grandma skyping with my brother & sister-in-law who live in Norway. |
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| Mr. E., my mom, my dad, my grandma, and me. |
And since so many of you have become friends, I want to share our Christmas letter with you too. {Some details have been edited or deleted to maintain some sense of privacy.}
2012 was a challenging year for us, but by God’s grace we can also say that it was a year of great blessing! We rejoice in knowing that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us through every challenge, and that His faithfulness, both in trials and in blessings, is a reflection of His great love and grace.
You might remember that we started the year as a family of five. We found ourselves in the throes of parenthood, with all the joys and frustrations that brings. Becoming foster parents and bringing three boys, ages 10, 11, and 15, into our home introduced a whole new dynamic that we had never experienced. Balancing school schedules (they were in three different schools), homework, church, extracurricular activities, doctor appointments, and other state-mandated appointments was a full time job for Amanda. Mr. E. also played an important role in both discipling, and disciplining the boys. After the boys left in February, we looked back on the whole experience and can truly say that while it was difficult and challenging, it was rewarding.
This spring we ventured into ranching, acquiring two British White cows. Amelia, our heifer, and Abelard, a steer, make for an awfully pretty view out our windows. Their white hair seems to shine in the sunlight, and we love to see them feasting in our pasture.
We also made our first attempt at gardening this year. While some crops were not very successful, we had a bumper crop of squash and zucchini – so much so that our friends started turning down our basketfuls of homegrown veggies! Jalapenos and tomatoes grew prolifically, and Amanda was able to share several pounds of jalapenos with our local café.
In July we enjoyed a three week vacation to the East Coast. Amanda especially enjoyed the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and spent quite a bit of time soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean. We visited two lighthouses and partook of some of the excellent cuisine the Outer Banks offer. After heading back inland we visited Washington DC and then spent time with friends in Maryland and Kentucky. We once again rounded off our vacation visiting Mr. E.’s parents in Missouri and good friends in Arkansas before heading home. We would be remiss if we failed to mention our wonderful neighbor-friends who cared for our cats, cows, and garden while we were gone.
In July we enjoyed a three week vacation to the East Coast. Amanda especially enjoyed the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and spent quite a bit of time soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean. We visited two lighthouses and partook of some of the excellent cuisine the Outer Banks offer. After heading back inland we visited Washington DC and then spent time with friends in Maryland and Kentucky. We once again rounded off our vacation visiting Mr. E.’s parents in Missouri and good friends in Arkansas before heading home. We would be remiss if we failed to mention our wonderful neighbor-friends who cared for our cats, cows, and garden while we were gone.
The biggest challenge of the year was our continued struggle with unexplained infertility. After exhausting the resources of our doctor, we began seeing a fertility specialist in Fort Worth. Having a specialist so far away is a struggle, but we are very pleased with the practice in general, and our doctor specifically. Please continue to pray for our hearts and minds as we continue this journey.
Mr. E. received his Ph.D. last December and continues to serve as a Professor of Theological-Historical Studies. In addition to courses in his department, he also occasionally teaches evangelism and discipleship, as all professors at his school must lead by example in those important areas. While he greatly enjoys teaching, he has also had the opportunity to assist the Dean’s Office in various administrative tasks, especially as the seminary went through the re-accreditation process.
Amanda runs her own business, Royal Daughter Designs, developing custom branding through blogs, social media, and online shops for bloggers and online sellers. She also writes about life, marketing, and graphic design on her blog royaldaugherdesigns.com. In August she was invited to return to work at an animal clinic. While she enjoyed the opportunity to work in animal medicine again (she has 12 collective years of working in veterinary medicine!), balancing both jobs and doctor appointments three hours away was difficult. She recently submitted her resignation, and will once again work from home full time as a small business owner. She is also being intentional to write about our experience with infertility, and plans to release an e-book next year.
This Christmas we celebrate God’s continued faithfulness and provision. Of course we are thankful for earthly blessings, but we also rejoice in knowing that the birth of Christ was just a small part of His grand plan for the redemption of our souls. To God be the glory!
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Latest posts by Amanda (see all)
- Desire to Inspire #35: Community - May 23, 2013
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I am diggin’ that sparkly gold top on you, Amanda! So pretty you are!:)
Thanks for the recap of your year! I had no idea you and Mr. E fostered three boys! That must have been an adventure. Also, out of curiosity, does your husband teach at the seminary in Fort Worth. Starts with a S_W_N B_T ~ I’m trying to be discreet. Anyway, if it is the same seminary, I actually attended that seminary when I first moved here for a semester and then transferred to another school.
Um… that has to be the most awesome dreidel I’ve ever seen!!!
Amanda, what a wonderful post. It’s been so long since I’ve read a letter like this from someone… I think, since the days of Facebook began, people have just stopped writing like this. =( I’d love to see a letter-writing revival!!
1) Love these photos Amanda…And I think I need that Twitter book! lol!
2) I’ll pray for you and your husband as you continue on your journey with the help of your doctors. My husband and I had numerous heartaches before being blessed…and it seems that all my girlfriends who would make the best moms are the ones who struggle the most with conception. It’s on my list of questions to ask God about when I meet him someday:)
Enjoy the final days of 2012. Here’s to a great year ahead friend!!
xo – Marion
Lovely:) Since we didn’t have any visitors we didn’t take very many pics this year. It was a great, relaxed day though. Thankful.
What a wonderful, full, beautiful, heartbreaking, stretching, inspiring year my dear! So very blessed to have stumbled across your blog this year. It so many ways you have felt like a friend to me
Cheers to a wonderful last few days of 2012 and blessings for a 2013 filled with His goodness!
Love the pics! Esp. the one of my cousin with a “dummies” book since she is hands down one of the smartest people I know! And, the picture of my aunt…she is still one of my most favorite people ever! I hope this new year brings you much joy!
we do a year in review email too!
Also, this e-book news is very exciting!!!!
I am so proud of you for sharing your heart
Sounds like you had a beautiful holiday!
And may your 2013 bring joy in abundance!
Blessings to you!
I’m so glad to hear about your Christmas and your yearly roundup is so full of things! Amazing
Linking up more creativity this week!
Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
I forgot to tell you that your Christmas letter was the best one we received. Honest, heartfelt, and lovely. <3