Christmas Letter: 2005

December 31, 2005

Dear Friends and Family:

I have so enjoyed receiving your cards and letters, updating me on what’s happened in your lives. Now it’s my turn, but this letter is so late arriving to you that I’m calling it a New Year’s card. J As I look back over the past year, I realize that I could simply describe the major events to you. But, I’d rather focus on what’s more important to me—the people. As you hear their stories, may you find your own heart renewed as you think about those people who have most directly influenced your own life recently. Let me introduce a few of my VIPs to you, people who have taught me how to be more alive in 2005:

DANIELLE & RENE, who taught me about the Lord’s timing
I am currently in my 7th year at Traders Point Christian Academy and my 4th year as the counselor there. This year, I have had the first-time honor of being the supervisor for Danielle Brown and Rene Arndt, two women who sought counseling degrees from Butler University here in Indy. I was excited about teaching these women, ready to dive in & show them what I have come to believe are the core elements of counseling and working with children. As it turns out, I learned much more than I taught…God knew in advance that I would need Danielle & Rene. He sent them at just the right time.

SCOTT, who taught me that the Lord has plans we may never understand
In January, the middle school principal at Traders Point, Scott Bostick, was killed instantly in a tragic car accident. From the moment I received the news about Scott’s death, my year and my job changed. Danielle had just started her internship in my office only a few weeks before. Isn’t that just like God to give me help BEFORE I knew why I would need it? Life at work was a whirlwind as Danielle (and later, Rene) helped the school family through this time of questions & grief. I honestly could not have done my job well without these women who have become dear to me. We are moving on, with a new principal now, and I feel like a new counselor in some ways. I’ve been reminded about how precious and mysterious life is. I’ve learned about how God uses people to care for the brokenhearted. God has shown me that He is the source of all types of healing.

REBEKAH & TREVOR, who taught me about the Lord’s patience and our choices:
Over the summer, I worked at Ivy Tech State College as an English tutor for students with disabilities. I met Rebekah & Trevor there, blind students with opposite views about the world. Rebekah’s definition of “tutor” was completely different than mine; she thought I was employed by the school to write her papers, not help her improve them. J I learned a great deal about myself when I tutored her—how impatient I can be, how much I depend on what I can see, how little I know about what other people struggle through on a daily basis. We had some talks about Christ & she told me about what she had learned from Him. Rebekah was bitter about her circumstances & we talked about that, too...But, Trevor was different. I’ve never met anyone like him. He didn’t have his sight, but he had a spark in him, a readiness to participate in his own life despite his limitations. Trevor chose to treat people well, to find out about them, and to accept their help with a spirit of gratitude. If I traded lives with Trevor, would I be as thankful? The Lord knows that, often, we may not agree with what He gives us. He also knows, that our day-to-day choices bring Him honor when we praise Him anyway.

AIMEE, who taught me about the Lord’s faithfulness
Over Spring Break, I was able to take a cruise with my twin sister to celebrate our 30th birthday together. We met in Florida, boarded a ship, and set sail for the Bahamas. It was just the 2 of us! We spent long hours talking, swimming, resting, and reading. I remember being on the upper deck with her at night, looking up at the stars as we floated along in the black water below. We could see the moon, feel the wind in our hair, and smell the salt in the sea. It was a silent, powerful moment. Aimee has always been in my life, during every change & in every season. I thought of all the things we’d been through together, all the ways the Lord had been faithful to us for so many years. Being thirty feels like starting a new chapter—it makes me wonder what the next 30 years will hold!

MEGAN, SONIA, & ANGIE, who taught me about the Lord’s beauty
For the 4th year in a row, 3 close friends and I took a girls’ getaway trip together. In May, we went to Nashville for a long weekend to take a break from “the busy life.” We stayed a night at the Opryland Hotel and visited the grounds of Cheekwood Gardens, a enchanting way to spend an afternoon. These women share my love of books and all things artistic---music, and paintings, and nature, and words. When I am with them, I remember how gentle our Lord can be. I am proud to say these women, and other friends in a weekly Bible study group, are constants in my life when lots of other things seem to change so much.

ISAAC, who taught me about the Lord’s joy
My sister Renee, has a son who is about 13 months old. Their family lives in Virginia and I’ve been able to see them quite a bit this year. The one word that comes to mind when I think of Isaac is wonder. He is in awe of everything he sees! He’s learning so much—walking and talking and interacting now. The name Isaac means laughter, something he spends a lot of his time doing. I want to be like Isaac in the year ahead of me. I want to be excited about the world God has put me in—eager to experience whatever comes next. Aimee is expecting a baby this coming spring, so I will be an aunt again, a role I gladly accept with joy.

CAROLYN, AMY, & TRACY, who taught me about the Lord’s presence
At work, it is probably rare to find close friends there. Carolyn & Tracy are co-workers of mine, and Amy used to work with us but is now pursuing another one of her dreams full-time. I am amazed at how God repeatedly has used these women to teach me about Himself. They know how to live authentically. They know that God has a purpose for their lives and they spend time trying to figure that out. When I am with them, I remember how important it is to show up for my own life, receive goodness from the Lord, and then give it back to other people. They know how to celebrate life, so they are my kind of people. Recently, a few of us met for breakfast at Bob Evans. In the course of that morning, I learned more about the Lord than I have in a long time. That’s just the kind of people they are—people who amaze you when you’re sitting at Bob Evans!

GOD, who has taught me that I have more to learn
All of these people, all of these stories, point to one source—God. He is on time. He is bigger than all we understand. He is patient. He is faithful. He is joyful. He is beautiful. He is ever-present. He is authentic. He is good. I know I will always be finding out what the Lord is all about. With God, there is always more—always another blessing in store. I hope 2006 is a year when you discover all the things God is trying to tell you through the people He sends your way.


Love, Summer