NotePad Thai: 2013 - The Down-Low on the Duvalls :)

2013 brought a year of change for our family. Maybe not so much in the external…many things look similar to the way they did a year ago. But more the internal changes of heart, mind and soul. It’s been a squeezing and shaping, molding and melding, breaking and building kind of year. Lots of adjusting in embracing the beautiful and joyful addition of our new little guy, Caleb. Life’s a journey and hand in hand our family has sojourned over steep precipices, through valleys, across deserts, through dense fog forests and occasionally stopped at an overlook of a breathtaking vista. So many of you have met us, walked with us and spurred us along in very real, tangible ways on the journey and we are more grateful and indebted than we can express in words on a page. Thank you!!

Despite the emotional ups and downs of the year we’ve still maintained a level of “normalcy” (although I’m not so sure we’ve ever been “normal” around here) :) Here’s an individual rundown…

Micah – 8 years old and now in 2nd grade! Still into soccer, legos, Michigan State, baseball cards and any sports game going on in our neighborhood cul-de-sac. At school he’s grown a love for writing, but gym is still his favorite “special”. It’s been fun to see his sense of humor develop as he keeps us laughing. He attended his first MSU game this year and won’t stop wearing green.

Savannah – 5 years old and now in Kindergarten three full days a week. She is thriving in school and while the teacher says she’s quiet in the classroom, she spills all her words from the moment she walks into the door until she leaves again :) She’s all about arts and crafts and playing “family” with her dolls. Quite the gift giver, we always have a newly colored art project waiting for us on our bed.

Caleb – 3 years old and in gymnastics once a week. His one year anniversary with our family was Oct 24 of this year. What a milestone! He has grown exponentially in so many ways. His vocabulary increases daily and he has mastered the construction vehicles names. He’s obsessed with all things construction. He mimics everything his older siblings do (good or bad) and wants nothing more than to be in the center of it all at all times. There’s a reason why he’s in gymnastics once a week :)

Greg – “ahem” years old and still working with Marketplace Chaplains USA as the Northern Division Director and Gordon Food Service National Account Manager. He still loves the relational side of his job and all the ways he gets to enter into the lives of such a wide range of individuals. His chaplain team continues to bless him as they serve together. Not much running of races this year for either of us…just running after a toddler :) He’s got his eyes set on a long distance run this Spring.

Shawna – the perfect age and still a stay at home mama and volunteering a bit at Micah’s school as a room mom. I’m also still working part time for the church as a co-director for our women’s ministry and enjoying leading Bible studies and meeting one on one with young women.

We’re peering into 2014 gripped with hope and leaning into Jesus. We have experienced so much grace and mercy this past year. And although we may be finishing this year with a limp, we know He is a God of infinite measures of goodness and kindness and He will continue to bring glory to His name and bring us great joy as we trust Him.

This Season we are reflecting back not only on the past year, but equally to the Holy Night 2000 years ago. Explaining the Story for the first time to a three year old brings such incredible perspective. Baby Jesus is truly Good News.

May reflections on Immanuel, “God With Us” bring you and your family a “three-year old” kind of Joy, Rest and Trust this year :)

With a hearts full of love and thanks,

The Duvalls

Greg, Shawna, Micah, Savannah and Caleb

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Rom 8:32