Dear Friends and Family,
With 2024 now behind us, we look back on a year filled with cherished memories, new beginnings, a bump or two in the road, and unexpected adventures. We are so grateful for the love, support, and joy you bring to our lives.
This year, Alex continued his career in Cyber Security with PWC. His current project offers many challenges and has him (too?) frequently traveling to Nashville, TN. He has grown quite fond of his new home city of Austin, TX. Aside from work, he and his girlfriend, Jessen trained for and completed their first (and only?) ever marathon last February. He has grown into a true professional and he makes his parents very proud.
Ben graduated from Iowa State this last spring and set his sights on becoming a dentist. He was accepted into a slew of schools and chose to study at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Ben found his first semester daunting but he was able to rise and meet the academic challenge as he has proven himself more than capable of doing. It is so fun watching him chase his dreams.
Stephanie has seen lots of leadership changes the last couple of years in her role as reading teacher for Cardinal Elementary in South Sioux City. Much of this change has turned positive and the classrooms are becoming more effective. Stephanie finds real purpose in teaching struggling kids how to read and is hopeful that recent curriculum and policy shifts will accelerate progress.
Phil keeps farming away as he now largely handles all daily planning and operational aspects with oversight from his Dad. The farm has grown a bit as we continue recovering from the 2021 tornado, we are so thankful to have our friends Mark and Michelle O'Mahoney helping us along each spring and fall. We couldn't do this without them.
Phil's ever-present walk with cancer took an unexpected turn this June as his regular scan at Mayo Clinic revealed a new liposarcoma growth in his abdomen. Thankfully, in early August, two tumors and 18 inches of small intestine were successfully removed and the recovery from that very large surgery went supernaturally well. (Thanks for all of your love and prayers...you know who you are.) These periodic storms we experience in life are designed to remind us how much we rely on a good God and that this life is temporary. Cancer has been a perspective changer around here as it drives the family closer to each other and to God. The bright spot in our cancer story was spending time with our good friends the Lings. Tim and Karen live a short hour away from Rochester in Minneapolis and we were able to rekindle our old friendship as we relived many memories and made some new ones.
Despite the challenges we each have faced this year, we have so many great adventures and experiences to share. We had a fantastic weekend in the Black Hills with our friends Lisa Logan and Chad Lewison. Stephanie and her sister's family took a celebratory trip to Nashville and got to spend some time with Alex. Most notably, we grew our friendship with Sam and Doreece Mutch from Alaska as we hosted them in Iowa for a February "Journey" concert before joining them in Whistler Ski Resort for a week of British Columbian winter fun. We definitely plan on repeating that adventure again in 2025.
It has been a year of growth and gratitude, and we look forward to more surprises in 2025. We do love to hear from you all no matter where you live - near or far. We truly hope many of you will drop us a call or a text. We definitely know some of you will take us up on the offer to visit anytime. The kitchen table and our guest room is ALWAYS open for any of you!
As we step into 2025, we wish you health, happiness, and countless blessings. May this year bring you closer to your dreams and fill your life with love and laughter.
With all our love,
Phil, Stephanie, Alex, and Ben
