Ecclesiastes 3 :1-8
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
As I reflect back on 2015 I am reminded of this beautiful section of scripture and how it rang so true in our lives during this last year as our family experienced both “high, highs” and “low, lows”.
The year started out, literally on January 2nd with me experiencing debilitating back pain that put me off of work and unable to do much of anything for three months. This experience stretched and challenged us as a family. Overall, by the Grace of God, we came out stronger and also discovered that Jeremy is a WAY better cook then I ever was:)
The kids got to "put makeup on me" when I was confined to the recliner:)
Summer ushered in what would be the “highest high” of the year. After 10 months of searching and 5 unaccepted offers, God finally lead us to our beautiful “dream home”. A little log cabin on 5 acres in a small town in the Sierra Foothills. We chose to leave the “suburban lifestyle” for a much more rural existence. It even comes complete with limited cell and wifi service, no central heat or air and apparently BEARS, according to our neighbors! We are learning as we go, breaking bones in the process (Jeremy and Lily both broke their arms in the first two months we lived here) and are embracing this adventure with open arms and hearts! Jeremy and I can often be found sitting on our deck, enjoying an adult beverage, taking in the view and being thoroughly overwhelmed by the Grace of God on our lives. Our home is a gift straight from the Hand of God. His presence is strong and tangible here. It is a sacred space. Our prayer is that it will be a place where our family and friends will gather for years to come, enjoying each other, breaking bread and experiencing His love and sweet presence.
Summer may have started out on a high note but ended in the “lowest” point in our year with the tragic loss of our Nephew Paul Cooper. My Brother Michaels only son lost his life in August at only 22 years of age. It was our “time to mourn” as we traveled to Seattle to be with my Brother and his family to celebrate the life of this amazing young man. Please continue to pray for my Brother and his family as they continue to grieve and heal.
Fall brought huge changes for the kids. Lily started 6th grade (technically Junior High) and Zion started Kindergarten. Both big years and both at brand new schools. Although God has shown mercy and the transition has gone very smooth, it has not been without many tearful moments of missing friends, family and especially our “old house”. Apparently, deer hanging out under your bedroom window and climbing trees as far as the eye can see still can’t compete with “walks on the greenbelt” and “going to Aunties house every week”. Things that both our kids desperately miss:( But as one of my favorite authors, Rachel Macy Stafford says, “Change is hard, but change is good.” I am finding both of those sentiments to be very true during this season of our lives. I am hopeful that in time our kids will see all the possibilities that lie before them and fully embrace them.
Although school for Lily has come with its challenges it has also come with some incredible achievements. Lily was invited to join the Advanced Robotics team at her school and they recently participated in the First Lego League competition. They ended up earning the “Championship Award” which is the most prestigious award handed out at this competition. Her team was also chosen to advance to the District Finals after the first of the year. We are very proud of her and she has seemed to find her “niche” with this group of “Harry Potter loving, self proclaimed “Nerds”. Lily is an avid reader. She just finished reading “The Grapes of Wrath” and is currently reading “Gone with the Wind”. Seriously, Jeremy and I just look at each other in disbelief that this child is “flesh of our flesh” as the most we have read lately is well….…nothing!
Lily and her team "Dumbledores Army" celebrating their win
Zion LOVES Kindergarten and is known as the “artist” in the class by many of his peers:) He is so creative and will spend hours drawing or crafting with pipe cleaners and scotch tape. He recently lost his top front tooth. He has started to read and our window of “spelling” things we don’t want him to know about is quickly closing. His latest accomplishment was announced enthusiastically as he exited the bathroom having been in there for a long time….”Guys! Guys!! I know how to spell poop!” “P-O-O-P!!!!” He was beyond thrilled and I’m sure you can imagine what he was doing while he was figuring it out:)
A shield
"Woody"
"A robot standing on the world"
Jeremy, AKA “Paul Bunyan” is keeping our family warm by supplying a steady stream of fire wood that he has chopped down, hauled and hand split. Our property has hundreds of Pine and Oak trees, many of which need to be thinned out to provide defensible space to protect against fires. He is working so hard and seems to be embracing this lifestyle as if he’d lived it for years. It is a joy to watch him thrive in this environment.
"Hillbilly entertainment" eating popcorn and watching J chop wood
J and his best friend Bryan helping to fill our wood shed for the winter
I am still working as a Recovery Room Nurse 3 days a week. On my off days I spend time volunteering in Zi’s class as Art Docent, unpacking (yes still) and spending as much time here on the home front as I possibly can. I have a hard time leaving this place when I don't absolutely have to. It is my respite and my soul is refreshed here:) My goals for next year are to grow in the knowledge of this lifestyle. We are hoping to plant a garden by next summer. As for now I will live vicariously through my favorite bad ass homesteading hero “Eve” on Alaska the Last Frontier as I sit in my cozy bed and watch her on T.V. :)
In closing, this year, although mixed with joy and sorrow, has been a pure and precious gift, as is every year we are given. May all of our eyes be open in the coming year to just how profound this gift is. May we face each day we are given with gratitude and grace. May we love well those who are in our lives and those whom are brought across our paths, even if briefly. The Nellist Family is ever so grateful for your lives and that God has blessed us with having the opportunity to know and love you all.
Love, Jeremy, DeAnna, Lily & Zion
