2019

December 2019

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”  Psalm 127:1-2

Dear Friends and Family,

Tis our “Season of building” to be messy and muddy but somehow miraculously rest-filled!  If 2016-17 were years of suffering that led to a “hope that does not disappoint,” then 2019 is a year of “building on a firm foundation” in seemingly every area of our lives.    

We are in our 9th month of home (addition) construction this year.  We wake up daily to hammers swinging, machines humming and beeping and soil being upturned to create the mud pit that is now our yard…front, back and on both sides, we are trapped!  Perhaps the most tedious stage was constructing the foundation.  We began digging the basement in the year that century-old rainfall records were broken.  Walls of dirt were eroding and collapsing daily, even threatening the structural integrity of our existing house (a corner of our living room was hovering mid-air for 5 days!).  Nevertheless, the crew persisted to bedrock and then utilized the small window of dry weather to pour the foundation…likely days before our “addition” turned into the “subtraction” of our living room.  

Likewise, God spent the last 3 years shoring up the foundation of our lives to prepare for this season of building.    Our “cornerstone” (Mark 12:10) is Jesus – the rock upon which the entire structure rests and to which all measurements are aligned.  He bears the weight and is the blueprint for our marriage, parenting, businesses, relationships and suffering.  Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is a confirmation and proclamation of God’s love for humanity at large (John 3:16) and me personally (Luke 15).  After years of wondering whether our “structures” of life would survive the wind and rain, it is relieving to finally let the weight of our struggles, uncertainties, suffering, and dreams rest on our “cornerstone”…no matter what the weather is outside.  Through suffering, we have discovered that no other foundation (money, reputation, politics or even family) compares with the unshakeable foundation of God’s love and provision for us in Jesus.  

We believe the home addition is a precursor and metaphor of many future projects that God will build with and through us.  This year, in addition to homeschooling the kids, hosting hundreds at the house (during construction!), meeting and counseling dozens of people (including me), Sarah has begun to teach and speak publicly on topics ranging from marriage to the Kingdom of God  as well as sing and play piano at church functions.  It is very exciting and yet nerve-wracking for her to step out in this way.  Charlie (12) and Ricky (10) are working diligently in their new and challenging homeschool programs…and also enjoying shooting their BB guns at anything that moves in the backyard.  Eve (8) is excelling in school and continues to be confident and yet tender.  All three older kids remain disciplined in jui-jitzu and piano although it is a fight to keep them going at times!  Liam (6) and Solomon (4) are good buddies and live in room that smells like hamsters (but with no hamsters).  

Merry Christmas to you all and may God bless your New Year!

With Love,  

Randy for the Family