29 Jan Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Tait and Kelly and greetings from wintery Colorado.

2023 was a quiet year for us. No hospital stays or sickness. Kelly traveled to Atlanta for an Aunt’s funeral in June, otherwise we pretty much stuck around the Springs.

We did go down to Pueblo State Park for a weekend of fishing and camping in the Fall. We “camped” in our van and watched the late CU/CSU football game! We had a ball and decided that we need to do something like that once a quarter.

Kelly is still working her caregiving job and taking care of me. She is realizing that she needs a total break from caregiving and is planning a trip at the end of January to go to the beach and get totally away.

Her parents are living in a senior living community in Florida. They are dealing  with Steve’s dementia diagnosis. Please pray for him, Arlene, and the family.

I turned 50 this year…totally weird as I remember both of my parents’ 50ths! Kelly hosted a small party at our church for a few friends. I find myself slowing down, sleeping more, and completing tasks taking longer in the last year.

I’m making my way through seminary and have five classes left from my master’s in Theological Foundations. I don’t have the energy like I used to and had to slow down. I was able to finish two classes in the spring, was able to take an unplanned sabbatical over the summer and finish a class in Romans in the fall.  Classes start again in February, and I need to make some decisions about my workload so I can complete everything I need to.

I’m scheduled to participate in a disability ministry conference in May in Orlando. It’s time to get around with my buddies in ministry and be around my colleagues. I will be participating in at least one panel with the topic to be determined later.

This trip will be my first time in Florida, and we plan to see where Kelly’s parents live and do some day trips around that area. I’ll be finishing my semester and plan to spend several hours a day working on my projects. As soon as we confirm more of our plans, I’ll be sending out a support letter for the trip.

And with that, 2024 is off and running. Expect turbulence, blessings, and miracles in the coming year. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:17)

Prayer requests

• For Kelly, break from caregiving, beach time, and accommodations for her trip to come together

• Tait’s class schedule, school projects involving New Life Downtown and disability ministry

• Mentoring and other ministry projects

• Good health for both Kelly and Tait

• Trip planning for trip to Florida including finances, accommodations, and divine appointments

• couple time