recapitulation...
Okay, so I'm biting the bullet. I'm sending a Christmas letter this year. Didn't want to leave out my cyber friends although nothing in here hasn't been blogged about a time or two already. 2005 was just such a huge year for the Nobis house that it seems more than fitting I do so. I'm certain it is one of those years that will etch itself into my long term memory if in fact the good Lord allows me to retain my long term memory. Some days that is questionable at best.
We began the year with several transitions: I resigned my ministry at Madison Park and am for the first time ever, a stay-at-home mom. Super timing since mere months from now my "baby" will no longer require my services :) We joined a new faith community and have finally begun to feel more at home there, not for their lack of fellowship but for the difficulty of beginning anew and adjusting to both the anticipated and unanticipated emotions of leaving the only church we have ever known. I have done more reflecting about everything imaginable than ever before and I can honestly say it has changed my life. I am not the same, however, I think on this side of it all I like who I see in the mirror most days but have enough left to work on to keep me occupied for years to come.
January also marked Shawna's next step in choosing a career. After a year at Culver Stockton she decided to enroll at Abbott Cosmetology School in Hannibal. She goes way back with Barbie Dolls and this really wasn't a big stretch as far as fit. She excelled from day one. Her father and I worried about her daily transit, especially during the winter months, but it all worked out.
In April, Shawna was engaged. Also not a big stretch. She's been in some state of love with her little drummer boy John Mitchell since grade school, and after dating for 3 years he asked her to marry him. They've been even giddier than usual ever since. May 6, 2006 seemed much further away than it does right now but I'm dealing. It's no surprise how much I love my baby girl and as much as I'm going to miss having her sleeping in the room next to mine, I know this is one of the many prayers I have said on her behalf being answered. Please add your prayers to ours that God will richly bless this time in their lives and protect them.
In May, Shawna graduated from JWCC with her associates degree. We're quite proud of her completion of these requirements in addition to Abbott. In August she graduated from Abbott and after several boards and practicals she is a licensed cosmetologist in Illinois and Missouri. Kevin and I both bear the mark of her "experimentations" and "improvements" and are grateful she gives us a nice discount.
In August I spent two weeks with Veronica and her kids at the cabin in Pine River. We had a blast. Dave, John and Shawna were there for the first week and then we stayed the second. (Kevin was a party pooper.) I love Emma Lee, Chandler and Harrison more than imaginable and they too are growing faster than I ever thought possible. They certainly keep Veronica on the move with little glimpse of a slow down in the near future.
In September, Kevin and I became....Weight Watchers. Another bullet I said I'd never bite but it's been a great decision for the two of us. Combined we've lost 70 lbs. so far and we're only just beginning. The upcoming wedding was our primary motivation but it was something we both needed to do and needed to do together. We feel excited about being "in progress" and reversing the cycle. We are committed to making this last so feel free to keep us accountable :)
Over the summer Shawna and I performed together for a number of weddings which I thoroughly enjoyed. From the response we've gotten I'm assuming others have enjoyed it too. We had 7 weddings in October alone that kept us on the go, not something I'll soon repeat. (I marvel at her ability to hear a song and duplicate it, complete with instrumentation. She also tried her hand at her first professional jingle this year for First Bankers Trust and Company. I'm hoping she'll be able to pursue that more if the opportunity presents itself.) In the midst of this already crazy month we were caught completely by surprise when dad died, apparently from a heart attack. We're still working through that and will for years to come, but are at peace knowing God is God and is perfect in all things. The support and prayers from family, friends and people we've never met before has been overwhelming and appreciated.
October also included the Crossing hiring John as an additional video technician which we couldn't be more pleased about. This allows John to use his ministry degree, explore his passion for all things technical and be surrounded by a wonderful group of spiritual mentors. The fact that he has benefits put father-of-the-bride's mind a lot more at rest:) And as if we could squeeze one more thing into this already crazy month, we headed to Chicago to see Paul McCartney in concert! I must admit he won me over. Kevin has always been a huge fan and I was marginal. No longer. Good thing too. Kevin hasn't put down his guitar ever since. He plays nightly for hours and has watched/read everything he can about his adored Beatles. Now that he's thinner I can see a tour in his future :)
In November, Shawna was hired at InSPArations as a stylist and seems to be doing well so far. She's anxious to build her client list but I'm confident that won't take very long. She's a natural.
Well, except for the hair color. But that's to be expected....only her stylist knows for sure...She also has a few piano students and I've enjoyed watching her develop her teaching skills. When I decide what I want to do when I grow up I might rebuild my teaching studio but am satisfied doing the occasional substituting for the Quincy Public Schools music department. (I really enjoy subbing for Dan Sherman when needed. Not that I don't enjoy a room crawling with disinterested elementary kids who smell like recess, but I really enjoy his choirs and miss directing and rehearsing.)
As the year ends we celebrate John and Shawna becoming first time home owners. They closed last week on 1232 Vermont Street, an adorable older brick home with tons of personality and potential. It's move in ready but they're going to spend the next few months adding their own style and hopefully moving some of their things from our basement. We are thrilled God has put everything in place with such great timing and provision. They even have a tree up whispering promises of Christmases to come. As much as I don't believe it, they are beginning a life together and are growing up and if 2005 taught me anything at all, it taught me to cherish each day and not take anything for granted. I am grateful for the extra time I had with dad over the year, not so many hours spent elsewhere and am grateful for the extra time with Shawna. Kevin still can't believe I'm home when he walks in the door, although these days, popping a frozen Smart Ones in the microwave doesn't exactly make me Martha Stewart and I've yet to greet him with heels. Yet.
Hope your year ends well and finds you at peace. I know my faith has been deepened and I've been sifted a time or two yet He remains faithful and good. I'm so very thankful to have my close relationship with my little sister and so many rich memories of our parents. I'm thankful we were able to spend so much time with them and have no significant regrets. I will always bear their absence but know it will find its place and I have a sense that something big is on the way. Not that our trip to Israel & Italy in March (taking John & Shawna along) and the wedding of a lifetime isn't big enough to anticipate all on its own. I just think God has some really awesome things in store and in His good time He'll bless our socks off. I'm playing again for worship and have missed that a lot. When I look across the stage and see my future son-in-law and daughter playing along it's a wonderful, wonderful thing. It was good for me to spend some time in the pew though and I'm taking it slow. I've needed the Bible studies I was able to enjoy this year and am expecting this to be an amazing year. Merry Christmas and blessings immeasurable on your new year.
Rejoicing, Loretta
We began the year with several transitions: I resigned my ministry at Madison Park and am for the first time ever, a stay-at-home mom. Super timing since mere months from now my "baby" will no longer require my services :) We joined a new faith community and have finally begun to feel more at home there, not for their lack of fellowship but for the difficulty of beginning anew and adjusting to both the anticipated and unanticipated emotions of leaving the only church we have ever known. I have done more reflecting about everything imaginable than ever before and I can honestly say it has changed my life. I am not the same, however, I think on this side of it all I like who I see in the mirror most days but have enough left to work on to keep me occupied for years to come.
January also marked Shawna's next step in choosing a career. After a year at Culver Stockton she decided to enroll at Abbott Cosmetology School in Hannibal. She goes way back with Barbie Dolls and this really wasn't a big stretch as far as fit. She excelled from day one. Her father and I worried about her daily transit, especially during the winter months, but it all worked out.
In April, Shawna was engaged. Also not a big stretch. She's been in some state of love with her little drummer boy John Mitchell since grade school, and after dating for 3 years he asked her to marry him. They've been even giddier than usual ever since. May 6, 2006 seemed much further away than it does right now but I'm dealing. It's no surprise how much I love my baby girl and as much as I'm going to miss having her sleeping in the room next to mine, I know this is one of the many prayers I have said on her behalf being answered. Please add your prayers to ours that God will richly bless this time in their lives and protect them.
In May, Shawna graduated from JWCC with her associates degree. We're quite proud of her completion of these requirements in addition to Abbott. In August she graduated from Abbott and after several boards and practicals she is a licensed cosmetologist in Illinois and Missouri. Kevin and I both bear the mark of her "experimentations" and "improvements" and are grateful she gives us a nice discount.
In August I spent two weeks with Veronica and her kids at the cabin in Pine River. We had a blast. Dave, John and Shawna were there for the first week and then we stayed the second. (Kevin was a party pooper.) I love Emma Lee, Chandler and Harrison more than imaginable and they too are growing faster than I ever thought possible. They certainly keep Veronica on the move with little glimpse of a slow down in the near future.
In September, Kevin and I became....Weight Watchers. Another bullet I said I'd never bite but it's been a great decision for the two of us. Combined we've lost 70 lbs. so far and we're only just beginning. The upcoming wedding was our primary motivation but it was something we both needed to do and needed to do together. We feel excited about being "in progress" and reversing the cycle. We are committed to making this last so feel free to keep us accountable :)
Over the summer Shawna and I performed together for a number of weddings which I thoroughly enjoyed. From the response we've gotten I'm assuming others have enjoyed it too. We had 7 weddings in October alone that kept us on the go, not something I'll soon repeat. (I marvel at her ability to hear a song and duplicate it, complete with instrumentation. She also tried her hand at her first professional jingle this year for First Bankers Trust and Company. I'm hoping she'll be able to pursue that more if the opportunity presents itself.) In the midst of this already crazy month we were caught completely by surprise when dad died, apparently from a heart attack. We're still working through that and will for years to come, but are at peace knowing God is God and is perfect in all things. The support and prayers from family, friends and people we've never met before has been overwhelming and appreciated.
October also included the Crossing hiring John as an additional video technician which we couldn't be more pleased about. This allows John to use his ministry degree, explore his passion for all things technical and be surrounded by a wonderful group of spiritual mentors. The fact that he has benefits put father-of-the-bride's mind a lot more at rest:) And as if we could squeeze one more thing into this already crazy month, we headed to Chicago to see Paul McCartney in concert! I must admit he won me over. Kevin has always been a huge fan and I was marginal. No longer. Good thing too. Kevin hasn't put down his guitar ever since. He plays nightly for hours and has watched/read everything he can about his adored Beatles. Now that he's thinner I can see a tour in his future :)
In November, Shawna was hired at InSPArations as a stylist and seems to be doing well so far. She's anxious to build her client list but I'm confident that won't take very long. She's a natural.
Well, except for the hair color. But that's to be expected....only her stylist knows for sure...She also has a few piano students and I've enjoyed watching her develop her teaching skills. When I decide what I want to do when I grow up I might rebuild my teaching studio but am satisfied doing the occasional substituting for the Quincy Public Schools music department. (I really enjoy subbing for Dan Sherman when needed. Not that I don't enjoy a room crawling with disinterested elementary kids who smell like recess, but I really enjoy his choirs and miss directing and rehearsing.)
As the year ends we celebrate John and Shawna becoming first time home owners. They closed last week on 1232 Vermont Street, an adorable older brick home with tons of personality and potential. It's move in ready but they're going to spend the next few months adding their own style and hopefully moving some of their things from our basement. We are thrilled God has put everything in place with such great timing and provision. They even have a tree up whispering promises of Christmases to come. As much as I don't believe it, they are beginning a life together and are growing up and if 2005 taught me anything at all, it taught me to cherish each day and not take anything for granted. I am grateful for the extra time I had with dad over the year, not so many hours spent elsewhere and am grateful for the extra time with Shawna. Kevin still can't believe I'm home when he walks in the door, although these days, popping a frozen Smart Ones in the microwave doesn't exactly make me Martha Stewart and I've yet to greet him with heels. Yet.
Hope your year ends well and finds you at peace. I know my faith has been deepened and I've been sifted a time or two yet He remains faithful and good. I'm so very thankful to have my close relationship with my little sister and so many rich memories of our parents. I'm thankful we were able to spend so much time with them and have no significant regrets. I will always bear their absence but know it will find its place and I have a sense that something big is on the way. Not that our trip to Israel & Italy in March (taking John & Shawna along) and the wedding of a lifetime isn't big enough to anticipate all on its own. I just think God has some really awesome things in store and in His good time He'll bless our socks off. I'm playing again for worship and have missed that a lot. When I look across the stage and see my future son-in-law and daughter playing along it's a wonderful, wonderful thing. It was good for me to spend some time in the pew though and I'm taking it slow. I've needed the Bible studies I was able to enjoy this year and am expecting this to be an amazing year. Merry Christmas and blessings immeasurable on your new year.
Rejoicing, Loretta
posted by ret at 4:01 PM
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