So very much of this year has felt chaotic and out of control. A recent discussion reminded me that we strive to live by faith but often end up doing the opposite in our attempts to control every aspect of our lives.
As a reminder, the news this year has been replete with events outside of our control:
- Presidential impeachment and elections
- more than 30 names hurricanes
- wildfires in Australia and the Western US
- "murder hornets"
- many celebrity deaths, including Kobe Bryant and Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- volcano eruption in the Philippine Islands
- plane crashes in Tehran and Pakistan
- earthquakes in Mexico and Turkey
- flooding in China, India, and Nepal
- train derailment in China
- pandemic and economic and mental health impacts.
On a more local scale, the town where we live has seen a huge upsurge in gang and drug violence, and a huge negative impact on the mental health of many.
Meanwhile, in the Paxton family, we have had a busy year. Currently in the home are:
- Jason - on terminal leave from the Navy
- Laura - currently working at Walmart
- Justin - 20-year-old college sophomore
- Leah - 18-year-old college freshman
- Kyah - 18-year-old high school senior
- Katherine - 17-year-old high school junior
Jason is in the middle of transitioning from military life after 21 years in the Navy. After so long living under the very regimented life dictated by military service, this transition is proving to be a challenge to our faith. In addition to completing his duties, he has had multiple doctors' appointments, a reconstruction of his foot (with subsequent physical therapy), and is working to find another job. We trust that God will provide and guide to the next place for him.
Laura started the year with two jobs, one of which went "virtual" in March, and she was then fired in July. Fortunately, Walmart had plenty of available extra hours, which has more than made up for the income lost.
Justin is currently in the middle of his sophomore year at Millikin University and is still working part-time at Starbucks.
Leah graduated from high school in June and was able to start at Millikin University in the fall, studying Art Therapy. She is also working at Starbucks.
Kyah has finally found a job that she likes and is finishing up her senior year in high school.
Katherine is a high school junior, as a homeschooler, and dearly missing her other social interactions.
The remainder of the children are in other places and are doing well.
- Frances and Nick will be welcoming another son in May, soon after Charles' 2nd birthday. They are in Massachusetts.
- Jon stays busy with landscaping and waiting tables in Virginia Beach, VA.
- Heather and Darien are in Southern Illinois, and are planning a wedding for September, 2021.
Other random events:
- 1 more Drivers' License
- 1 more Learner's Permit
- 3 cars changed owners
- many health crises
- Zoom meetings
- virtual, online, hybrid school
- work-from-home
- essential worker
- thousands of potential COVID exposures
- 10 negative COVID tests
Through all of the chaos and upheaval this year has seen, we are reminded that God is in control of every aspect of our lives, especially when things are out of our control. We don't know what 2021 will hold for us, where we will be, or when things will feel "normal" again. Thankfully, we know that God knows.
