Friends,

I wanted to send out one more quick update here. I think we are overall doing ok. It's definitely been intense to process our huge loss, probably more so for me than anyone at this point. But God has also provided an amazing amount of His presence, peace, and hope throughout this process. 

The waves of sadness still come, but are becoming less frequent. Dealing with the realities and demands of everyday life has been challenging, but it is probably also good to have much to address and focus on each day. Having Anna home for her last semester of college has also been extraordinarly helpful, and good for all of us.

I took a few weeks off of work, which was important and beneficial. We began figuring out a few things on multiple fronts. Overall, I am now enjoying getting back in a new flow - though it is regularly exhausting! It kind of feels like having young babies and toddlers all over again, this time with me dealing with a bit more of the constraints, emotions and tiredness that Reagan experienced in our earlier rounds.

Our kids all had spring break at the same time and we took a trip to Washington DC, along with stops at Mount Vernon and Chincoteague/Assateague Island. Adam joined us from Detroit for four days, too. That was a full and good time for us all. It was immediately evident we first got in the van that we were ready for some extended and focused time together. These pictures are from that trip.

I think God's grace - and our kids' overall maturity - is evident in the way they continue to be doing better than one would expect.  Of course, there are lots of challenges and conversations along the way, which I am confident will continue.

The compassion, support, and prayer of others has been a huge part of the way we've experienced God's love and grace over the past year. I am still regularly blown away by the people who tell me they're regularly thinking of and praying for us. Thank you.

I do send out a monthly newsletter (e-mail and snail) to prayer and financial partners of our ministry. If you would like to be a prayer partner who prays for our family and ministry once a week, I would love to add you to that newsletter list so I can keep you in the loop. Just e-mail me at jonathan@calledtogreatness.com if you'd like that.

Please receive my heart-felt thank you for your friendship, prayer and support.
Jonathan