December 2012
Loved ones,
B.J. signed
a contract to teach at the new Protestant Reformed Christian High School in
Loveland, Colorado, last January. The
months immediately following our decision blur.
In late spring Leah came home with a worksheet. She and Mrs. Van Den Top had read Jan’s New Home at school. Jan doesn’t want to move: her house, her
school, her friends will change. The final
question on the worksheet reads, “What did Jan learn about her new home?” Leah’s answer? The
important things stayed the same.
We left our
little white schoolhouse the day after Memorial Day. Three generous men and two of their sons
drove from Loveland to transport our belongings. After walking through our empty home one
final time, B.J. and I held each other in the doorway and cried.
We now own a
comfortable red brick ranch. Leah is no
longer the only student in her class.
Instead of fields and gravel roads, neighbors surround us. We don’t have chickens, goats, or a dog
anymore. I used to be able to see Mom
and Dad’s place out the kitchen window; now there are mountains. Many things have changed. But the important things? They’re still the same.
Leah is a
social bug at school. At home she
usually has her nose in a book or is busy coordinating play with her younger
siblings. Of all the kids, she most
misses Iowa and is looking forward to visiting there over New Year’s.
Willem began
riding his bicycle without training wheels this summer. When he rides, he sits rigid on the seat,
every muscle taut, and pedalspedalspedals. The only brakes he applies are his shoes on
the cement. He approaches life the same
way: at a furious pace and often without knowing when or how to apply the
brakes. He’s three months into kindergarten
and I can no longer S-P-E-L-L some things to B.J. in his presence and get away
with it.
Hardly a day
goes by without 4-year-old Marie donning something sparkly and pretending she’s
a princess. Conveniently, Prince
Charming also resides here. Never mind
the fact that he’s a towheaded 2-year-old who wears Thomas the Tank Engine
undies. Cinderelly has learned that if
she hollers hard enough he just might leave his LEGOS long enough to retrieve
the dress-up shoe she deposited on the living room floor before making a hasty
exit. Truth be told, Nathan charms
everyone from Daddy’s students to the thrift store clerk with his big blue eyes
and beautiful smile.
Dark-haired
Eli Caleb arrived two days into the school year. At 3 ½ months old, he sports chubby thighs, a
darling grin, and – if you can catch him when he’s in the mood to be tickled or
play peek-a-boo – a delightful giggle.
B.J. enjoyed
working with the Walrite concrete crew this summer. Now he’s busy teaching 6th-11th graders
science, algebra, drafting, and PE. We
are always happy to see him walk in the door at the end of the day, and Leah
and Willem look forward to hearing him read from the Tolkien books at bedtime.
I am honored
and humbled to be wife and mom to this bunch.
I’m thankful for prayer on the days when I feel homesick or inadequate
and on the days when I’m overwhelmed by the Lord’s goodness to us. I’m thankful for our church family and for
the preaching that motivates us each week.
I’m thankful to know that our Father does all things with purpose. Whether we move many miles or weep when
family members forsake the faith, He is the Important One, and He stays the
same.
We pray that
the Lord will bless you as you remember His advent and stand at the beginning
of a new year. May we be among the wise
men who still seek Him, His Word the star that guides us until the day we see
our Savior face to face.
B.J. & Sarah Mowery
Leah, Willem, Marie, Nathan &
Eli
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