A Thousand Years/A Thousand Words

 
2 Peter 3:8  "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."



The end of a year, and subsequent beginning of another always feels both ominous and exciting to me. There's the aspect of "what will this next year hold?", and "how might I live in it differently?"  Most of us feel a sense of a fresh start, new opportunities, of a slate that's been wiped clean. When, in actuality, it's just another day...

Days tumble, sometimes, one after another, seemingly out of our control. We make our plans, and in spite of our best intentions, something or someone interferes with those plans. Still, I believe that it is important to live purposefully, allowing God to fulfill His purpose in us; and, to  respond to life's circumstances in a way that brings Him glory.

Howard and I are 54 and nearly 55, respectively. We frequently find ourselves talking of our limitations and aches and pains, and quoting, "Getting old ain't for sissies."  Inasmuch as we are able, he and I are going to take our health a bit more seriously this year.
We have also begun the thought process of "passing the baton" (so to speak) to our children:

Uncle "Sam", with Laura & Louis

Samuel is itching to take over A & A Window Washing. He got a good taste of what it would be like in December, when Howard was too sick to work.  What a faithful son he has been!




And, Lauren, graduated from Nursing School, with High Honors: Valedictorian! She is currently working in the ICU at Providence Hospital in Waco.

Andrea took a quick break from her teaching responsibilities in KY to join us for Lauren's special day.

Charlotte (& Fred, of course!) graced our family with another adorable grandson, Dylan Ray Reber, who is now 3 months old.

Patrick and Antoine reside in Waco, where he is working on his own "fresh start". We have had ample opportunities to be part of Antoine's little life (he will be 2 the end of May). 

Lauren's accomplishment lit a fire under Micah to finish his schooling this year in order to pursue plumbing as a career. He certainly seems to have an aptitude for it!  Ethan is  finally getting the therapy and equipment he has been lacking. I've even designated a room in our mobile home for his therapy. Joshua also continues to plug away at his schoolwork, which usually isn't quite challenging enough for him.









One personal highlight for me this year was participating in a group  whose purpose was to take a photograph each day. I have enjoyed this project so much, that I have decided to do it again. I found myself looking at my world with a vision of beauty and order and color, that may have been overlooked previously. An "eye opening" experience, to be sure! :-)



Since, it has been said that "a picture is worth a thousand words", I'm going to sprinkle this epistle liberally with photographs, and wish you all a blessed new year.

Leslie,
for us all.

2011 Family Letter

“... rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer...” (Romans 12:12)



The above verse could sum up 2010 for us. With hope in Christ Jesus, we pressed on through various “tribulations”, praying our way through each uncomfortable circumstance. The tentativeness and fragility of life was ever more evident, as we said “good-bye” to friend, father and aunt, one after another. With each passing year we feel our mortality a little more keenly, recognizing our limitations and becoming increasingly aware of the grains of sand slipping through the hourglass of our lives...faster and faster.

“Life goes on” as they say...and we welcomed Patrick’s son, Antoine Howard Ainsworth into our world on May 29th. He is a happy little soul, in spite of the less than ideal circumstances of his home-life. We count it a privilege any time we are able to spend time with him.

Fred and Charlotte’s little ones bring us great joy and are growing up so fast. Antoine will be one in May, Laura and Louis will be two and three, respectively, in March. These are delightful and impressionable ages.




Another cause for rejoicing as this year closes, is Lauren’s continued success in Nursing School, and new job in the Intensive Care Unit. She is thoroughly enjoying this hospital experience and exposure, and is looking forward to the next semester of training. Her good friend, Amber, has moved to Texas recently, and they have found a place together, closer to work and school. Lauren had been commuting for over an hour from home to school and work. This will be a big adjustment for all of us; but, after-all, she is a “big girl” now. (not me, though)

Andrea is well-settled in her Kentucky home, teaching and singing, and touching lives with her cheerfulness and energy wherever she goes. Instead of coming home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, we are all saving our money in hopes that we can travel to KY in May for the closing school program. She surprised me with a special appearance for our 35th wedding anniversary! :)

                                                                

Howard and Samuel continue to work hard at the A & A Window Washing business. They have such good comradeship with one another and have the respect and appreciation of their customers. Samuel would soon like to have his driver’s license, which would open up other options.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

On “normal” days, the remaining 3 boys and I weave schoolwork, housework, yardwork, barnwork and a little music into our day. Ethan just turned twelve! He has grown so much!! We have had him measured for a new wheelchair; but, the process may take as long as 3-6 months. Speaking of weaving, I still manage to find time for rag-rugging - a great stress-reliever! :)  I’ve also learned to appreciate the fellowship and prayer support that I’ve found through the social media of facebook. I can post pictures and keep friends and loved ones updated on a daily basis without a great deal of time lost or the cost of postage. If you have access to such a thing, I could recommend it as a means of staying in touch. (Just delete or hide all the nonsense and games that pop up, if you aren’t interested in those)

Let us hear from you, by whatever means. We want to know how you are doing, and lift your needs in prayer to the One Who watches between us, sees all and loves you even more than we do. :)


The Howard Ainsworth family