January 1st, 2009
Happy New Year to you all! We have been here in Kalamazoo for a little over 3 months now. And other than coming to realize that the weather here is for the birds (okay, the penguins!), it’s been a good few months. :O)
It’s been a Long year (yes, that was a Capital L!) and needless to say, we are not sorry to see it behind us. We are so hopeful that 2009 will bring much brighter and happier times for us. But as always, God did not fail us – His faithfulness continues to amaze and humble us. We are so very blessed and we are so very aware of and grateful for each and every one of those blessings.
John is going to be finishing up truck driver’s school next week and will have a job as soon as he’s done. It’s a far cry from the construction and design work that he’s done for the past 10 years, but with the economy being in the state it is, we are hopeful that this will be a much more stable industry for him.
Our school year got a late start due to the move and getting settled in here, but once we got started, they’ve been really enjoying it. We studied and then painted and built a solar system right before Christmas and they just loved that. Even Conner helped. He’s already learning his letters and Braden is reading everything he can get his hands on. Rebecca, also, is just a little bookworm. We have to go to the library at least every 10 days or so to replenish our supply of books.
They’re going to be starting some classes at the YMCA next week. Becca, Braden, and Conner will be taking swimming classes. Conner will be also taking a tumbling class; Braden, a tennis class; and Becca will be continuing on in ballet and tap dancing. She’s very excited about being able to dance again as she’s missed it so much. She started dancing when she was 3, so not being able to dance this past year was really hard on her. Becca and Braden will also be taking an art class.
One of the hardest parts of the last year was discovering that Spencer is autistic. But we are very blessed because he’s responded so very well to the ABA therapy and to a gluten-free/casein-free diet. He started “school” here in November and it’s been wonderful for him. He’s made so much progress that we’re very hopeful that within another year or so, you won’t be able to distinguish him from any other boy his age. He’s very loving and sweet and very, very smart. He’s very excited to go every day and stands at the door, calling “School bus, where are you?!” while we wait. It’s so cute!
We have found a great church here in Kalamazoo. The kids’ ministry there is fabulous also (one of our “absolutes” in finding a new church home). Right after we moved here, they had a lesson that involved them learning three rules: 1) Honor God, 2) Honor others, 3) Have an attitude of gratitude. I truly found that lesson amazing: It’s so very basic, but it’s such an awesome foundation for life.
Of all the things that have come from the trials that we’ve lived through this past year, we are so happy that our lives have been a living example to our children that God does honor His promises and He does provide for all of our needs. We may not understand all of His ways, but they know now that they can depend on Him for everything. It’s not just talk and it’s not just something we’ve read…it’s something we’ve lived.
So, to you, our friends and family, we send holiday greetings (belatedly!) and we also send wishes for a peaceful and blessed New Year.
3 John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in
health, even as your soul prospers.
The Medendorp Family…John, Staci, Rebecca, Braden, Conner, and Spencer
