Everything that comes our way in life, every person we meet, is an invitation and call to know and enjoy God and to live that out in tangible ways with others. These are just some glimpses of ours in the Dedert house that remind me of God’s care and call to our family in 2022:
JANUARY - FEBRUARY // In 2021, the USA abruptly evacuated from Afghanistan, leaving the region under Taliban rule and allies on the ground stranded. Some were able to get out and brought to our city and, by God’s hand and through friends, to our living room several times in 2022. Our kids taught their kids UNO and tried conversing through Google translate. It was a gift to share cups of tea and help in some of their initial steps to resettlement.
MARCH - APRIL // It has been our dream to find a way to communicate with Calvin. In the Spring, we started speech therapy evaluations to see if there was any way we could provide for Calvin to communicate. Typically kids who are nonverbal will use a device connected to their sight. However, Calvin cannot see, so that’s not an option. The one function he has is to turn his head slightly. He had therapy at Mary Free Bed for six weeks, teaching him to use the device, starting with basic cause and effect to making choices. We are still working on getting the device (insurance woes!) and hope to make progress with this in 2023.
While Sophie was in Mexico on a mission trip, we spent a few days of spring break enjoying the aquarium and architecture of Chicago. It was cold! And wonderful. The highlight for the kids was….the buffet breakfast at the hotel. :)
MAY - JUNE // This season is always full of celebrations and endings, and it was for our family too. By God’s grace, Darryl graduated with his MDiv from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and passed the HRC Synod examination. Not pictured are many conversations, prayers, and some worry about what the future would hold for our family and surrendering our cares to the Father many times. I love change, but with Calvin’s situation, family change accentuates our vulnerability and dependency in many ways. There are so many moving pieces of life with him that few understand; praise God that he knows and cares for each one! (missing in the pic: Calvin, who was not well enough to attend).
Sophie graduated from Grace Christian Academy, and we were thrilled I could go along on the senior trip to Washington, D.C., with her. After a very busy work and family season, it was a gift to step away and only have one worry: making it to the bus on time as we busted around D.C. with the seniors. The quotes, monuments, historical places, and cemeteries filled us with renewed gratitude for our country and the sacrifices of many.
On top of lifetime memories with Sophie, it was a gift to spend time with the other parents/chaperones. God gives the gift of laughter and connection, and that cup overflowed for me as I reconnected with my longtime friend, Kate, on the trip. My stomach was sore from laughter, and my heart filled from good conversations as we hustled through DC, played “mom” to many kids, traveled for hours on the Greyhound, and shared early hotel morning coffees.
JULY - AUGUST // The first part of our summer was busy preparing for our annual denomination’s youth camp. The theme was God’s Word: A Firm Foundation. It was a spiritually rich time to be with our kids (Sophie, Noah, and exchange student Amos) plus nearly 100 youth for a week and enjoy mealtimes, topics, workshops, games, and campfire Q and A’s. We’re already excited and busy preparing for the youth camp in 2023.
Darryl had a thriving garden this summer. The simple joys of towering sunflowers, growing tomato plants, and a bowl of freshly snapped beans bring some close-to-the-earth creaturely renewal. It’s almost as if we were created for a garden! :) Our patio is our favorite place in the summer, with many evenings spent enjoying a campfire, family (grandparents!), and friends. Sophie worked full-time at the hospital, saving up for college at Cornerstone University, which started in late August. The other kids worked odd jobs, went fishing, and camping, and spent lots of time with cousins.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER // For the past 3.5 years, I’ve worked at a private family foundation. It’s been an incredible blessing to be involved in kingdom work and rewarding to be challenged in heart and mind by brothers and sisters in the body of Christ worldwide. In the fall, I took a trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Darryl and I lived in Cambodia for over five years and had three kids born there — it was surreal and wonderful to be back. I packed the five days there with visits to old friends, former students, fellow missionaries, and many mission organizations. I came away overflowing with how God works in unknown places through ordinary people. The realities of an exploitive world, in contrast to a generous self-giving God, filled my mind and heart long after the trip.
As I returned with a renewed commitment to give every part of my life for Christ, Darryl received a call from our local church to be a pastor. It is an overwhelming privilege to serve, and it has made us all the more aware of our dependency on Christ. During the ordination service, it was moving to have my dad, brother-in-law, and some of Darryl’s mentors and friends participate in the laying on of hands ceremony. Although we’ve worshipped in this church most of our lives, we now serve in a new role, and the Lord has given us so much love and excitement to serve here. We did a new baby visit, and as I held the little one, I realized our perspective had shifted. Instead of just admiring the baby, I found myself thinking, How will the Church care for this little one, and how will she be taught about Christ and know the Word? How will we encourage this new mom and dad in the faith? Give us faithfulness and fruitfulness, Lord!
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER // In November, Darryl finally made the last step of becoming a US Citizen. It was a moving ceremony with people from all over the world pledging allegiance to a new country and people. It was such a busy season that we forgot to tell our kids that it even happened! They were at school while we quickly made the trip and had engagements that evening. We remembered to tell them when Violet was scrolling through my photos and said, “why is Dad holding an American flag?”. :)
Calvin turned 13 this year, officially filling our home with five teenagers. How is he doing? That’s a common (appreciated) question. He is pure joy. He is also in a body that holds a lot of suffering. It is harder to take him out, put him on our laps, and make him comfortable because of the support needed for him, but you can often find us sneaking into his bed and just soaking up the amazing gift of Calvin — a dear friend, brother, and son. Last night (NYE), Evie was disappointed that we all went to bed before midnight. So she went into Calvin’s room at 11:55 and woke him up to greet the New Year with her. :) She said he was a little confused but delighted to participate.
Our December was a flurry of activity and emotion. Our kids loved the Pilgrim’s Progress play by Rise Collective, and discussions have followed long after. It was like watching the realities of the Christian life on stage — the Hill of Difficulty, Giant Despair, the Key of Promise. It was an encouragement to be reminded of Christ’s presence with his people, and it made me long for the day when faith will be a sight!
One night Darryl and I were getting ready for an evening event, and as Violet opened the front door to admire the falling snow, our dog Libby ran out into the road and was hit by an Amazon Prime truck. Darryl sent me to the event alone while he took the dog to the vet. While caring for the dog, his mother called and asked him to come immediately to their home in Canada. His dad, dear Jack, was not well. Darryl quickly left for Canada while I came home to be with our kids, who were very upset. Darryl took care of his dad in the last days of his life, and his nursing skills from Calvin’s care became vital in caring for his dad. It was one of the greatest privileges of his life. It was also a solemn privilege for Noah to be a pallbearer for his Opa. Darryl’s dad came to know the Lord in his 60s, and Darryl preached fittingly at his graveside on Christ as the Resurrection and the Life.
From our family to yours, we wish you every blessing in Christ in 2023.
Much Love,
Kara