Merry Christmas 2022!!

We have SO MUCH to be grateful for this Christmas. We don't take God's gifts for granted! Here is a little about our family, starting with our kiddos. First, we have only two more left at home! How in the world? Dylan will be graduating this year. It has been a JOY to see him turn into a handsome, joyous, faithful young man. He plans to be an electrician after schooling and certifications. He is currently working on his apprenticeship. In his spare time (other than school and work), he likes to hang with friends, ride his mountain bike, and play his guitar.

Taylor is a freshman this year and working on his driver’s license. He has been saving for the perfect car- a convertible mustang. We will see! He has also enjoyed working when not doing school. He held his first summer job and did great with all the tasks and tools. Along with DJ, he will be mountain biking again on the Heart of Texas Jr. Cycling team. In his off time, you will find him gaming, disc-golfing, or hanging with friends. 

Emily and Kayla are still rooming together, but that will come to an end this summer as Emily plans to move off on new adventures. They have been together almost 3 ½ years! Kayla is trying her hand at homemade pottery with BLACK OAK and she also nannies two of the same boys since their birth. She enjoys time with good friends, and you’ll find her hiking/walking with her weenie dog, Mabel.

Emily has remained steadfast at Texas Aero while back in school after graduating from McLennan Community College. Most of her time lately has been with her beau- Wiley. He is a dear! We love him! They are making serious future plans together after he graduates from college as a robotic engineer. STAY TUNED! ;)

Troy and Brittini celebrate their 7th year of marriage this December! WOWSAS! They have been working hard to get Brittini through college. Short term pain- long term gain!! This May, she will graduate with a bachelors in psychology and working towards her masters in counseling. Lani is enjoying 1st grade while Tony has fully adjusted to kindergarten. Their school is just precious and allows them to learn multiple languages. Its amazing!

Papa J and Momma T really do cherish time with those grands and with our entire family. Joel has taken up a position with his uncle Walt working on new construction. They have some exciting projects ahead. Tressa is still home educating and working from home with Classical Conversations. She will be undergoing some serious dental procedures in the near future. Prayers appreciated! Both Joel and Tressa lead as coaches on the cycling league and serve a section leaders at their church. They just celebrated 25 years of marriage and had a great getaway celebrating. We look forward to the future and more adventures together!

So much to say, so little time. We will stop there. Please send us a note and let us know how you and yours are doing. We would love to hear from you!

Please know that there is nothing greater in this world than the love of God! May this message of this Christmas season bring you HOPE and PEACE. 

If you have never watched the Nativity Story by the Chosen, we would like to gift you a 24-hour rental on Vimeo. 

Please go here and fill out this form and we will get it to you! 

Ride or Race

Ride or Race

Written by Tressa Strickland

Dedicated to Don Strickland

In a ride versus a race,

what’s the difference in spinning the pedals?

To enjoy the peaceful pace

Or to ride hard for the medal.

Both motives have their own reason

You see, there is a time and a season

For all things to be as good as done

Only determined by one’s cohesion.

 

But considering life is a great mystery

A puzzle to never be completely solved.

Completion will come in the Great Beyond.

Until then, some pieces can be sorted out.

 

Speed should not be the only way of assessment.

Busy, hustling, striving, and haste.

These all make for a lot of waste.

Instead, allow beauty and truth to offer assessment.

Knowledge, conversation, love, nature, and you.

These all make for a place of appreciated value.

 

Quality over quantity.

The bigness can be pondered

And littleness to be wondered.

Nothing is off limits.

Joy, sadness, mountains, and valleys.

What a glory it is to search it out!

 

Ride or race

May it offer a reward so great

Because life is a vapor

And must be lived with so much grace.

 

25 Years of Marriage

We celebrated our 25th Anniversary!

There is so much to be grateful for. See our top 25 photos throughout our time together.

Act of Faith

 It truly takes an ’act of faith’ to go up this trail on a bike. I have been pushing myself to do hard things. This is just the beginning.

Musings of a Jeep Owner

 

Musings of a new Jeep owner.

1. When you buy a Jeep, you join a community. And I tell you what, I found my people! We all have this special connection while on the road and it’s magical. We park together, help eachother, and even wave at eachother.

2. #duckduckjeep is another cool Jeep community thing and we just got our first ducky surprise! Now I need to go buy some rubber duckys to pass out!! I always wondered why Jeeps had ducks on their dashboard!!

3. Jeeps are much more fun naked, meaning- with all sides off! I prefer the doors ON as I realize I like structure and security. The boys take them off any chance I let them.

4. I thank the forethought of Shakey Matthew Strickland, the original owner, as he got an amazing easy on and off top. This way, we can enjoy the full windy Jeep experience.

5. This experience is only possible with a hat. I’m grateful for two creative friends that made me a special Jeep hat for my bday. I wear the heck out of both.

6. It’s much more fun driving people around now. My first passenger was my mama and it was awesome. The grand babies and even my weenie dog LOVE rides in it as well. The nice thing about a smaller jeep is you cant bus around a whole bunch of people. Haha

7. While off-roading is fun, it’s really not my jam. I find it risky and unnerving! I prefer PRE-K off-roading.

8. Jeeps don’t make for great long distance rides. It’s doable though (ask DJ).

9. Jeeps do make for great beach rides. We had a blast on South Padre Island.

10. I finally feel like I found a car that matches my personality! This thing seems to enjoy life along with me. I love that!

Golden Hour

 I cannot think of anything more beautiful to behold than that of a sunset.