As you probably noticed from the pictures, we have 2 big
girls now! Each day I am struck by how they’ve grown up this past year! Both of
them are talkers, so we never have to wonder too long what they might be
thinking! They also love to make up songs about anything and everything, making
Dave and my refrain, “please just obey; we don’t need a song about it.”
However, we love hearing them sing “Jesus songs,” and our daily prayers are
that they grow to love and trust Jesus more each day and their worship (and
ours), encompasses each part of their lives.
Well, you may recall, 2017 was the year of our house move
and Callie’s health struggle. We are still loving our “new” house. Amy did some
interior painting, and we continued to work on the landscaping and our little
garden. We discovered cherry tomatoes grow VERY well here! Over the summer,
Dave’s truck spent nearly a month in the shop, so after some tears from Maggie
(who grows rather attached to things) and lots of research, we made the
decision to replace “Chucky” with the upgraded “Sir Charles”-a silver Kia Soul.
Yay for better gas mileage and a reliable (and cute J) vehicle!
Callie’s health has definitely improved this year, working with
a nutritionist. She is still on a rather strict diet (which is tough) but is mostly
feeling and looking healthy, so we praise God for that! Callie does all things
passionately-whether it be playing hard or crashing afterwards! She played her
first year of real softball in the spring, and her team enjoyed an undefeated
season! She had a blast with Daddy as the assistant coach, a special sweatshirt
with her name on the back and a big 1st place tournament trophy to
top it off! Callie started gymnastics in August and is loving that, as well. She
also continues to enjoy school (3rd grade this year) and just
finished playing a singing/dancing/baby doll-loving orphan in Bethlehem, in our
church Christmas play. Both Callie and Maggie are on Faith School’s Bible Quiz
Team. They are learning all about the book of Acts and doing such a great job
in their monthly quiz meets.
This was a big year for Maggie! She turned 5 in February, so
following the tradition we started with Callie’s 5th birthday, we spent
a night at Great Wolf Lodge. It was lots of fun since both girls were tall enough
to do the family inner tube rides. In May, Maggie finished preschool and
decided she needed to do all the big girl things! She lost some baby teeth and
learned to ride her bike without training wheels over the summer. In July, we
had quite the adventure when she tripped in a small hole and ended up breaking
her femur! In the emergency room, we learned that the femur break was caused by
a bone cyst, so we had a late night ambulance ride to Doernbecher, where she
had surgery the next day. Maggie was quite the trooper, and while it was
obviously a difficult time, we were so aware of God’s protection and provision
in all the details! Also, the amazing prayer support from friends, cards,
gifts, and meals were such a blessing to our family! Maggie completed physical
therapy in late November and excitedly announced she is now “a normal
5-year-old!” After months of limited mobility, she delights in galloping,
running or jumping wherever she goes! She loves kindergarten and is thrilled to
be learning to read. Always pushing to be like Sissy, she looks forward to the
day when she can read chapter books!
Dave began his 5th year as Lead Pastor at Grace
Church in August! He had the privilege of leading another study team to Israel
in February, in partnership with his parents and a pastor from Salem. He
completed his second summer of doctorate classes and is doing some voracious
reading to prepare for his January class! This year is full of changes, as we
are exploring a church building program, and Dave’s family is building a duplex
here in Dallas and will be moving in early 2019. The girls are excited to have
cousins close; we have a new niece joining our family in February. Amy is
beginning her 10th year as a real estate assistant and continues to
enjoy working outside the home a few hours a week. With Maggie in school every
morning, she’s been able to participate in Bible Study Fellowship this fall and
is also working with the high school senior girls midweek and on Sunday
mornings. We are grateful to have Amy’s mom nearby and are hopeful this coming
year will bring more time with her dad. Amy’s sister’s family moved to Spokane
Valley, WA over the summer, so we anticipate a road trip north sometime during
2019! Dave and Amy celebrate 14 years of marriage this month. In
this time of reflection, we are so aware of two things: life is full (of both
good and bad), and God is faithful! He has been, and continues to be, our Strength
and constant Presence, especially during hard times. Our hope for 2019, is that
you come to a deeper awareness of His love for you and seek His plan for your
life.
With love,
Dave,
Amy, Callie and Maggie Bertolini
