Happy New Year! It is so fun to say, “2022!” especially with a British accent. Our Christmas letter (the one we sent out last month) summarized our last year, and as I was writing it I was surprised how last year was a year of blessing for us, even though it was in the middle of a pandemic, with so many crazy things happening in the world and in our neighborhoods.
Whenever I am faced with the question, “Is God faithful?” I can not help but smile. Yes, He is!! God is faithful, even in the hard times, Andy and I are living proof. We have lived on the giving of others for 37+ years, have lived on both sides of America, have survived the teenage years of three girls (hee hee), the planning of two weddings, and have lived to see three plus grandchildren (baby boy Greene-Rettig is due in April). And for the last six months, all three of our girls have lived within two miles of our home. Glorious blessings.
We only had two cases of COVID-19 in our immediate family*( Becca and Zach). Zach’s oldest brother, Daniel, sadly did not survive his fight with COVID-19. We were able to take Murphy for a week while Becca and Zach attended life celebrations for Daniel in both Lexington, Kentucky, and Buffalo, New York. We were also able to have Khloe and Rylie over for a weekend while their parents attended a wedding in Pennsylvania. These little ones are such a reflection of God’s goodness—blessings with attitude and giggles!
Amid the COVID-19 concerns, we were able to safely spend time with Andy’s parents (Doug and Diane are 86) and with my mother (Barbara is 82). We were able to visit North Carolina (where the Sr. Kellogg’s live) as a family and Doug and Diane were able to come to Rachel’s graduation. My mother came to Florida from Maine for Christmas 2021. These times with Khloe, Rylie, and Murphy’s great-grandparents are precious and massive blessings.
Andy and I continued to do our jobs with Cru from our home offices. We saw God’s fingerprints in many of our daily tasks and larger responsibilities. We have stepped into new roles at our local church and have been blessed by new relationships there.
One of the realities of having a time of blessing and rest is that it sometimes turns out to be a time of preparation for what is coming next. I believe that was God’s point in showing me this time of blessing. I am glad I have taken time to rest in Him and will watch to tell you what is coming next (beyond our grand baby due in April, our National Conference in July, and one BIG thing that I’m so excited to share below). Thank you for walking this past year with us and for being such a blessing in our lives.
*Well… after writing the rough draft for this letter, during the second week of January, I got COVID-19, and Rachel did as well. Andy believes he might have had it in early December. For me it was much like a cold, and has caused me to rest. I spent a week between the bed and the couch.
A Blessing to End Our Year
On December 28th, Andy and I got a huge surprise!!!. Rachel’s boyfriend, Preston Bailey, had been visiting with us for Christmas, and that morning he asked us for permission to marry our youngest daughter! He laid out his plans to us and we gave our whole-hearted endorsement. Rachel knew nothing of what was about to unfold!!
The next day Preston told Rachel that they needed to take COVID-19 tests. Preston explained that he had been exposed to someone with COVID before Christmas. He had set up an appointment for them that evening. Sadly there was a mistake in the forms they filled out. No test! No bueno!! We found a friend who had some at-home tests, but were not sure the airline would take those. There were NO free appointments for the next morning. FRANTIC!! Finally, Preston was able to locate a pay-testing site with appointments for the next day.
They got the tests, and were both negative. At that point, Preston told Rachel that he had NOT been exposed, that instead they were going on a trip for her birthday (December 30th). All he told her was that she needed to be packed and ready to leave in three hours, and that it would be 55*F where they would be going. Rachel was confused, excited, and anxious. Cady came over to help Rachel pack (Cady knew where they would be going.) Soon they were on a plane to Atlanta. While they had a layover in Atlanta, Preston revealed that he was taking Rachel TO PARIS, FRANCE!!!!!!
Once in France, Preston wasted no time. He had arranged that the next day he and Rachel would have an appointment to take some pictures by the Eiffel Tower. During the photo shoot, he got down on one knee and asked her to be his bride. She said yes!!! I’ll let the pictures tell the story. (We’re pretty darned excited for them both!!)
The Kelloggs 