Contemplation on Graduation

If you haven't had the chance to know Mikayla Kuckel, it's probably my fault. I hold tight to my kids...I know my time with them is short, and I'm selfish. But, my first baby? My guinea pig? (as I so affectionately call her)...Yeah, I held tight. And I'm sorry if that meant you didn't get to know her better or at all because she is an absolute gem, a gift bestowed to me in my youth and immaturity, but one that has grown me and grown with me, loved me when I have not been lovely, and blessed me with her wisdom when I most needed it. I know I don't deserve her. She's my daughter, my friend, and my sister in Christ.

Mikayla was born in Michigan in May. I can remember taking her on long walks in the carriage-style stroller handed down from her grandmother. Even in those days, I confided in her my fears, thoughts and dreams. She brought peace to my days and always listened with happy eyes and a big smile. She could have ended up pretty spoiled--there were many people who loved and doted on her, especially me and daddy.

We began to notice how she closely observed others at play. She would eventually join in, but she was cautious and reserved with strangers. She could also be rather strong-willed when it came to being forced to do things she didn't want to do. Now, I see how the strength of her will and ability to assess any situation, when submitted to Christ, have proven to be mighty weapons in her life.

When she was two, I gave birth to twins. She adjusted well and rarely bucked against the system she now knew. That was a tough year, but without her easygoing spirit and ability to play alone it would have been so much harder. She has been an incredible example for her brothers, learning how to handle both of their unique personalities and relating to each in their own way. This continued with the addition of sister, then brother, brother, brother, sister and brother. She doesn't lose her cool when people are difficult, she can concentrate in chaos, she has set dreams aside for the sake of family, she challenges her "limitations," and she's quick to offer help when needed. As she was a quiet child, I never expected her to be the leader she would eventually become. She has surpassed my wildest dreams.

                            〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜

My Mikayla. Dear daughter, big sister, gifted writer, figure skater, babysitter, children's ministry leader, deli worker, chef, little genius, guinea pig, friend, world traveler, trail blazer, wise counselor, kitchen messer, missionary, self-starter, teacher, student, beautiful inside and out... My heart is truly glad to have been bound with yours in this life. I love you!

“Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:14-17 NASB

How We're "Dew"ing--Christmas 2010

Dearest Loved Ones,

Thanks for visiting the blog and indulging us in our effort to conserve and simplify. This post is our official Christmas letter. We rejoice in God's mercy and grace at the close of 2010! Baby Dew has brought us such unimaginable joy and pleasure. Here's a recap of the last year.

In November 2009, Mike took a job at our church as Stewardship Pastor. He was ordained at the end of the month, and on the same day we found out about our new blessing. Of course, blessings often come in a mixed bag as was the case for me. The sickness was the worst I have experienced with any of my pregnancies, and the pregnancy itself was very different from the ones before. So, in summary, new job, new pregnancy, new sickness, homeschooling...you get the idea.

I started to feel better around February, and we were able to make it down to Florida for our annual Detroit Tigers Spring Training trip. Many thanks to my dear in-laws who make it possible for us to go.

The heat of summer rolled in like a freight train and I am pretty sure I didn't leave the house for 2 months--except for doctors' visits. As a matter of fact, I hardly left the couch. I was carrying 60 extra pounds and it was hot. On July 11, 2010, at Greer Memorial Hospital, we welcomed little David Andrew. Well, I use the term "little" loosely since he was a whopping 9 pounds, 7 ounces! He made a dramatic entrance as he had tied a knot in his umbilical cord and then wrapped it twice around his neck. Not only that, but on day 2 he was transported to Greenville Memorial for tests relating to pneumonia. Thankfully, he never developed pneumonia, but we spent 4 days there trying to convince the hospital that our baby was not sick**rolling eyes**

Well, that brings us back to a new school year, a new baby, and a new year just around the corner. Bella started Kindergarten and has beautiful handwriting which she gets from her Daddy. Ben and Joey are inquisitive and imaginative 4th graders who will soon build us a new car out of Legos. Most likely, it will run better than the van we're driving now. Mikayla is a brilliant 6th grader, and she has started ice skating lessons for the first time this year. It is something she has always wanted to do, and she spends a lot of time practicing at home. You probably never realized how well a kitchen floor works as an ice rink.

Mike's position at the church has brought him joy upon joy, but, as with all blessings, it has come in a mixed bag with sorrows, trials, and testing. God has blessed him with leadership and discernment. You guessed it, another mixed bag. I am so thankful for the love of my husband and his mixed bag. And I think he is thankful for mine (most of the time.) These mixed blessings define us and refine us. They sanctify us before a Holy God if we let them. But we first have to give up the control that we really don't have in the first place and allow Jesus to re-define us. Jesus Christ is God in flesh. And the only reason that God took on flesh and lived among us was to unite us to Him. We are separated from Him by our sin. He took our sin upon Himself in His death, and rose from the dead to bring us victory. He is a Living Savior. His Law is written on our hearts, and yet we break it every day. There is no life apart from Christ. I hope that you believe these words, but if you don't, repent (acknowledge that you are a sinner and need to be saved from your sin) and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ! "Though He was in the form of God, [He] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:6-8

David Andrew is such a gift to our family. The big kids have loved him from the first day they heard of him, and I can't be more thankful for that. But most of all, I am thankful for a God who is faithful when I am not, and One who has given me everything that I never asked for. This year, I hope to be more intent on giving God control. I am certain He knows better than me.