December 2022

Hey y'all! December was a busy month full of festivities, Christmas programs, finals at GBS, goodbyes, and time with people. Come along on my picture-journey of December in my little corner! 

Dec. 3-4 was our church's annual Christmas drive-thru.
Here, the boys are working hard, helping set up for the drive-thru!

Daddy and I helped with set-up, then the first night, we also acted in one of the scenes. 
The story was a different approach to the Christmas story, about Mary and her "uncle Mendel", who was trying to make sense of the prophecies of Jesus and what Jesus was doing when He started His ministry.

Our friends Steve and Korin acted in the next scene.

Korin and I both got to be "Mary" in our scenes.

The last scene included all these choir members, who got to stay inside in the warmth between their turns in the scene.

In this last scene, "Uncle Mendel" came to understanding what Jesus actually came to earth for.

The second night, I got to be a greeter in the 1st tent, with Felicia and Kate.

The nativity scene photo-opp.

We had a great turn-out and God helped it all to go pretty smoothly!
We are so thankful for this opportunity to reach the community.
We had a record amount of people who came through this year.

Bro. Darrell Stetler, Bro. Andy and Sis. Sherilyn Stroud.
They work so hard to make this drive-thru ministry happen every December!

Jr. Church Sunday morning.

My last class at Cincinnati State was Dec. 5th. I'm so glad I got to be in several classes during my time there with this sweet girl, Lexi! I've now completed my Deaf Studies Certificate at Cincy State.

Clarissa and me

The grounds crew at GBS decorated campus so beautifully!

I'm so glad Jenny and I got to be in 3 classes together this semester!

I got to have lots of study time with these dear friends!

We got to take Classroom Management together! Such a good class taught by Mrs. Turner. We learned so much.

Dec. 14 - was the GBS Staff Christmas Dinner.

Thankful for these sweet friends who work at GBS, Melissa and Rebecca! <3

Our last chapel service of 2022!

Dec. 9-11 was the GBS Christmas program! It was so good and the Lord helped us in every way for it to come together! Praise the Lord! (this pic was after the dress rehearsal)
We who played in SWSE just wore dress-black, but the choir members got to dress in Victorian-style.


This was Jenny's and my last year for the Christmas program as we graduate in May!

The Saturday Christmas program is moved to the Ark Encounter (this was our 3rd year getting to do that)! It is such a privilege and blessing to b able to share the gospel with that many more people!

We got to eat at the Ark before the program.

More sweet friends, who passed out programs!

Mr. H in a classic pose while waiting for sound-check to start.

It was so good to see my friend Rachelle Ferguson!

The violin section this year, led by our 1st chair Samantha, on the left.
I'm so thankful for the blessing of being in SWSE for 5.5 years, and getting to be part of 6 Christmas programs!

Sweet Kaley and me

Rebecca

Sunday afternoon picture with these dear friends, Felicia and Brittany!

Brittany and I - 2 years in a row - have gone to the soccer intermural game to cheer for both teams! :D

Ending the semester with lunch at Chick-fil-A with Clarissa - just like we started it. :)

Dec. 13 - our church's annual Christmas dinner! Love these dear people!

I'm so thankful for the wonderful church family the Lord has given to us!

Doing one of my favorite things! :)

Sweet girlies!

My last two days at GBSC:
My last final was in A&P! Glad I got to be in Mrs. Redmond's class this year and with these girls at my table.

Mother and I went through the Christmas house tour on campus with this group of girls.

Spending some last bit of time with these friends.

Coffee time with Rebecca

Saying goodbye for now to my dear Jenny.

Love these girls too!

Looking forward to graduating with Abi in May!

Dear Victoria is such a bright spot on campus and in my life.

Matching with sweet Kendra in our very last class.

And just like that, my time at GBS is done! I've finished my studies and graduate in May! So thankful for God's help during my entire time at GBSC over the last 4.5 years, but especially the last few semesters that have been stressful. I'm going to miss my campus friends so much. <3
~~~

Dec. 16 - I went to the Cincy Zoo Light Festival with friends to celebrate Brittany being done with school and her graduation the next day. It was a fun evening!

Riding the carousel 

Thankful for this lady! 

Dec. 17 - my friend Brittany graduated from NKU with her BA (it's only her 3rd degree! :D). So proud of her! <3

Mother and dear Regina at Brittany's party afterwards.

Dec. 18 - was a big Sunday at church. In the morning we had the kids' Christmas program, then the evening was caroling and a special service that ended with candle-light and songs.

My friend Felicia Staley did a wonderful job writing, organizing, and directing the Christmas program.

The kids lined up, ready to go in.

The songs were so good!

And the story was so good too! (that's not a real cake!)

Ready to go caroling!

Pastor Andy leading while caroling in the neighborhood.

So fun to carol with these sweet friends!

The special evening service...

Pres. Loper read a story to all the kids.

The candle-light part of the service.

Dec. 21 - I went skiing for the 4th annual ski-trip with the Harms family!
But this year I bought a pass so I will be back! :)

Riding the lift with the triplets. We had a great time together, no one got hurt, and I got to experience some new and more challenging slopes.

Daniel is learning how to ski!

Driving to a pizza shop after skiing with these sweet kiddos!

Randy and Joy's family came from SD for Christmas week! Elizabeth got to come too, and Jeffrey and Lesa for a short time later. So happy to be together!

My dad, who does not enjoy playing games usually, very cheerfully played many with the kids! :)

Now I have 2 nephews that have happily passed me up in height!

Christmas Day!

We had church at home together because church was canceled due to ice and snow.

Opening presents together before lunch.

Elizabeth with a table runner than Mother made.

The ladies

My siblings and I used to do this staircase photo when we were kids. :)

Randy and Joy's family

Grandpa and Grandma Albertson with 7 of their 10 grandkids.

Daddy, Mother, Elizabeth, and me

The day after Christmas...

Drawing with my nephew James

Elizabeth and I painted with the kids one afternoon.

Elizabeth's and my paintings.

Grandpa reading to Josiah

So much fun happening!

Joanna and I took out eldest nephews out for coffee at Velocity.

So thankful to spend a few days with my best friend, Joanna!

Jeffrey and Lesa got to come for a day, on their way to work in IN.

Joanna, Jewelyn, and Jonathan stayed for an extra day before they left for SD too.

Dec. 30 was Chris and Briana Stamper's wedding in Shelbyville, IN.

I was excited to get to see my friend Melanie there!

My parents at the reception.

Well, that wraps up our December and our 2022!! What a full and blessed year it has been!
Thank you for being part of our journey!
~ ~ ~
We are looking forward to God's leading, strength, grace, and will to be done in this coming year - 2023! GOD IS FAITHFUL, and HE is the ONLY ONE worth living for!!