~ Real life mixed with faith ~
How does one write a Christmas letter, without
sounding like life is about one step from perfection? It’s difficult these days
to be real and yet to still hold on
inside to a sense of belief that
things are undone. Like the caterpillar who is yet to be the butterfly.
So, I sit here looking out my window’s that haven’t been
cleaned in weeks and I remind myself that all the prints are from kids running
to wave good-bye to their daddy each morning as he pulls out the drive, this is
his favorite part of the day. Life is good.
But it’s also messy.
So, I write not wanting to sound cliché but wanting to be
sure the message is clear; we believe in a God who makes messy messes into
beautiful beauty. So here’s our letter for 2013:
Ben loves his job at Rogers. Although he still does not have
a continuing contract which keeps us (read: ME) in a spot of anxiety. He was
asked this year to be the Defensive Coordinator of the football team and he
poured his heart into the team. It is a JOY to watch someone do something that
they absolutely LOVE. And it was heartbreaking to watch the Rogers Pirates lose
every game. Yet, this messy-mess of losses did result in a beautiful bond
between the players, “a brotherhood” they called it, and the coaches clearly
adored each athlete. A beautiful mess.
Caleb, our nine-year-old firecracker. He lives up to his
name, read Numbers 13 or Joshua 14 if you are curious about the Caleb of the
bible. Ours too, is strong and determined. He is a boy of justice and this
comes with a small price – big debates. He will fight it out, head to head,
with anyone who will go at it with him and he. Does. Not. Back. Down. Bless
him. He wanted to play football this fall and we found that his forehead like
flint is good for more than just debate – he is not one to be reckoned with. He
likes to collect “things” from bugs and rocks to little toys called “trash
packs.” A beautiful mess.
Nathan, our nine-year-old sports fanatic. It’s amazing to
watch the “sports” part of boy get “flipped on” like a switch. He’s suddenly
all about Seahawks, football, sports, competition, winning, sportsmanship, etc.
It has been fun to watch and challenging, at times, to parent. He cried when
the Seahawks lost to the Colts. He’s learning to have sportsmanship when
playing football at recess. He’s surprisingly good at balancing fun and brains,
but sometimes not so good at balancing self control with impatience. He likes
to throw anything in to the air and (hopefully) catch it before it hits a
sibling or something made of glass. Also, Nate got baptized at church this
fall, a very big honor for his dad to “dunk” him! A beautiful mess.
Alena, our-six-year-old princess. She loves to dance. She
took a dance class this year, but also begs her dad weekly to play music from
his computer so she can dance around the front room. Her heart is of gold. She
likes to “take care of others” which usually ends up with annoyed brothers and
Alena in tears, asking…begging for a little sister. She loves her family though
and has a hard time being away from those she loves. School, all day every day
this year, hasn’t been a piece of cake, it’s just too much time away. This has
been tough for her and I! A beautiful mess.
Titus, our two-year-old tank. Titus wants to, and in most
cases can, keep up with the big kids. He has been going to school this fall and
has loved it! He likes playing with friends and “big-boy” Legos and trucks. He
loves wearing a “good-guy” cape and also likes hats. But he is two. Which means
sometimes big-boy-Lego creations get destroyed… And two means tantrums, which
he is really good at (maybe better than any of the other kids…combined…or maybe
I’m just a tired mama :))
Titus encapsulates a beautiful mess.
I have had a great year too! Keeping up with the kids keeps
me on my toes but this year I have also really enjoyed co-coordinating a local
MOPS group! It's been a good way for me to get out into the community and meet
people while also being encouraged, in Jesus, by other women. I also still have
a love/hate relationship with our life in the country. Although I love the
space and all the fun it brings (gardening, privacy and true peace) it has also
challenged me with the not-so-fun things it brings (mice, loneliness, and hard
work!). A beautiful mess.
We hope you can see that we believe that this little family
is being changed daily by grace and
love. Each of us has a beautiful story that unfolds minute by minute. Each mess
is an opportunity for our Savior to make something beautiful. We pray He is
working in each of you to do the same.
Merry Christmas,
The Cochran Clan
Ben, Crystal, Caleb, Nathan, Alena and Titus
