New year, 2013

Hello, world.

*taptap* Is this thing on? Yes? Oh, alright.

In just two days, my little baby boy, Xavier, will be ten months old. It's hard to believe. I mean, I knew it would go fast, since that's what everyone was saying... but I guess I didn't expect it to be THIS fast. I can still remember him being so tiny. He's become quite the kid, and he is now sitting up, almost standing up, picking food up on his own, stuffing it in his face, and smiling and jabbering all day long. He's my best little friend in the whole wide world!

With 2012 come and gone, people usually like to look back over the past year and remember what significant things happened, consider what they would like to change... stuff like that. I don't like to dwell on the past aside from remembering positive events like:

• Xavier being born
• Thanksgiving in Chicago
• Jesse and I both getting awesome jobs
• My first CFC Ladies' Banquet
• Getting to know more people at church
• Starting my Arbonne business

I'm sure there are more that I just can't think of at the moment. I actually had to think pretty hard to get everything under "Xavier being born." Gimme a break - I just got home!

So what are our goals for 2013? That's a good question. We are still living with Missions on the mind, so to speak. Jesse's new job will still allow him to take classes (and reimburse him for some of the tuition cost). We're not entirely sure when he will have his degree. We've also been looking at buying a house, which is a test of patience in itself. We are constantly reminding ourselves to allow God to lead us to where He wants us to be... and to be content with where He has us currently.

Preparing to be a missionary is not cut-and-dry. You live life like normal, hoping to get to a certain place, save up, pray up, pray some more, and try not to get too attached to any one place because only God knows where you'll end up. It's pretty exciting when you think about it - not knowing all the details. It's like God has a big surprise party waiting for you. Hopefully as 2013 rolls on by, we'll see more details of our future service reveal themselves. Until then, we are blessed to be able to serve at our church in various ways (sound tech, drama, singing, band, nursery, etc.). We love where we are and who we get to minister to and worship with. God has brought us through an amazing journey - and it's not NEARLY over yet!

In Him,

Jesse and Jenni