Mathew Meanderings: Ain't No Party Like A Mathew Party...

Maybe "party" is too joyful a word for the rough year it was, but we do love to party!

It's been over a year since I have written. So much has happened, that a short recap is about all that will be possible at the time.

In March of last year, Addie's appendix ruptured making her very ill. She had emergency surgery, and even though recovery was a long one, she was able to recover, and for that we are certainly grateful.

Recovering well after surgery.

Right after Addie got better, Jonah got sick. This was so hard to see. We had kept him under preemie quarantine just like we did when Ezra came early, but unfortunately Jonah got sick right away. He came down with RSV and Pneumonia and ended up spending 7 days in the hospital.

Jonah's first Easter.

Jonah was discharged from the hospital on a Thursday. Friday I was able to go visit my parents. The next morning, my mom passed away from complications from sarcoidosis. Losing my mother has, by far, been the most difficult thing I have ever had to face. I am so thankful that God gave me that Friday to see her one last time. I am thankful that this isn't the end. My mom trusted in Christ and His death on the cross, and now is with our Savior, and I know I will get to see her again. That brings me comfort when all I want to do is call her on the phone and tell talk with her again.

My dear mom.

We had a good summer last year, and made some good memories with extended family, and just us.

The fall brought new changes. Emma entered high school as a freshman, Josie a 7th grader, and Addie in 5th. I was back into the office learning some new things on Populi, a new program that was implemented at the Bible Institute, and Josh was plugging away with the building and grounds department. In October things came to a screeching halt. Josh got very sick with spinal meningitis. He was hospitalized (and now he was the one in quarantine!) and spent a a few weeks recovering. We are incredibly thankful he recovered so well.

We are basically quarantine pros at this point.

In November, I needed to have surgery to repair some complications from my last c-section. It was a longer recovery than I expected, but am glad to be doing fine now.

Overall, 2017 was a bit rough, but there were good things too! Spending more time than usual with family, and so many celebrations. Two milestone birthdays were had in September, and we were blessed with the opportunity to continue to trust God through what seems like impossible circumstances. Isn't our God so good though? I don't know if I could have survived a year like last year without knowing that He was unsurprised by it all, and ultimately in control over what felt like chaos in my life.