Christmas 2020

Dear loved one,

Like many of you, 2020 has been a year unlike any other for our family. Two verses in 2 Corinthians 4 have become our theme verses this year:

For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (vs. 16-17)

The greatest blessing of 2020 was welcoming baby Samuel to our family in March. One day later began the greatest trial of our year – learning that he had a heart defect that would require three major surgeries early in life. Samuel underwent his first open heart surgery at 2.5 months of age. His second surgery occurred on Dec. 14, and we were fortunate to bring him home five days later. He is still recovering but is doing very well!

During the summer, Matt began sensing possible instability at his job due to the COVID pandemic and made the difficult decision to search for a new position. The Lord provided a job with great insurance and an unexpected perk – he gets to work from home!

In November, Matt battled a bout of COVID-19 and quarantined in his home office. Thankfully it was a minor case and did not spread to the rest of the family. Two days before Thanksgiving, our sons’ last living great grandparent, Leah’s Nana, passed away. The Lord opened a door for Leah and the boys to see her through her window one last time the day before she passed.

Through the many curveballs life has thrown this year, we remain grateful for the many blessings. We enjoyed our first full year in our house. Matt continues to serve in ministry as student pastor at Oak Crest Baptist Church here in Midlothian. Eli is a bright and adventurous 2-year-old who brings so much joy to us every day. Samuel is thriving especially considering his heart condition. We have a great care team at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth. We have an increased gratefulness for our mothers, for the many sacrifices they have made to help watch Eli during doctor appointments and hospital visits. Finally, we are especially thankful this year for YOU – our family and friends – who have shown so much love and support for us during this challenging season.