Welcome to 2024 :: Cultivating Aliveness

 Welcome to 2024 ::  Cultivating Aliveness

2023 brought A LOT of growth for our family and various challenges (again a normal year for us): 

• Mark began his podcast "Mental Health and Ministry" and has interviewed several people. It has been life-giving for him and frankly he's really, really good at it. He discusses depression in ministry and how to support someone who is struggling. 

• Kara completed one year with Cincinnati Children's in June with pioneering the Moving Beyond Depression program working with postpartum mothers and mothers of 0-3 year olds with maternal depression. It has been exciting and exhausting and she did put herself to the side along the way. Her self-care has had good rhythms and not so good rhythms. In the end, she is ready for a recalibration of serious magnitude and to pursue vitality.

• Ian began 9th grade and began playing soccer last spring FOR THE FIRST TIME, ran Cross Country again and in his free time enjoys playing computer games, at one point playing chess, rapping songs and working out. He did start a McDonald's job in the summer and did really well, but he learned that working in fast-food is not where he wants to be, but it really helped him grow as a person. "People are mean mom!" "Yes, yes they can be," I agreed.

• Elijah began 5th grade, remains fascinated by dinosaurs, played soccer again and specifically Goalie position this past Fall, and enjoys playing Roblox, Fortnite and Nitro Typing in his free time.

• Katie is 8 years old now, still loves to cuddle in your face, bait Ivy into take her raw-hides so she can grab them back and continues to love car rides.

• Ivy is 3 and a half years old and plays like a puppy with zoomy fits and then long naps. She still sits like a princess and growls like a bear. She is remains submissive but her growl scares things away.

• We are very grateful for God’s continued faithfulness, peace and His humor. We have seen so much growth in both of our boys and in ourselves. We look forward to see how His hand works this year. Much Love to you! 

• The Messmores

Our Reality in the "In-Between"

BUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE IN-BETWEEN?
When living in "transition" yet, not knowing the future...future jobs, future dwelling, future friends...I know none of know the future, a part from there being an Eternity. This is just how I am describing this time for myself.

I'm sitting in a hallway with what feels like all the doors shut and the lights still on at least but there is nothing...just flat paint on the walls and baseboard and carpet or hardwood on the floor. The light fixture isn't even interesting. It just sits there on. At least it does not flicker like in a horror film! LOL

We seemingly have 'no people' anymore. We have some friends, me at my YMCA classes apart from the church setting and my husband, his online gaming community but really except for one or two couples we are in contact with...doing 'life' just isn't happening at all.

a little bit about me...

• i haven't written about me in a while so I want to • I am a pretty transparent person unless I feel like I'm not fully understood then I clam up • lately God has shown me that I am suppose to pause more and keep the bigger picture in mind: glorifying Him and not me • He has challenged me to pray more intentionally and soften my heart • I have struggled with thinking I need to always be physically fit because I have been for a while in different seasons of my life • I wish I was more crafty and creative as my upbringing would lead you to belief (my mom was & is a wiz with creativity) • my small group is going through Chazown and moving towards God's purpose for our lives - it is challenging • it's hard to remember past things that hurt even if it has shaped you • I wish I was clearly gifted with excellence in one particular area so it would be more readily known to me what it is I'm suppose to do (all the time) but then again I do like the fact that I have learned to allow God to use me wherever I am • topics I have thought about lately: international social work/situational ethics/repentance/medical family therapy/running/seasons in my life/baby jar projects/vision/other peoples' hearts/my own heart • thinking my size isn't as important as my fitness • dreaming about missions we visit and what places • contemplating how our lives will change in the next season • thankful for my coworkers who get me and my heart • wishing that friendships didn't have to dissolve as seasons go by • wishing I could support everyone in my inner circle and be there for them...• LOVING my time with my boys and watching them grow • learning more about Mark and trying to listen more when he speaks or even when he doesn't...