Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers. What a blessing it is to have both the local church as well as the Church all over the world caring for you and loving you. December was both the most intense month of the semester with papers due and finals but also such sweet and necessary rest. We got to visit Yosemite due to some amazing friends inviting us along with them and it was just what we needed after a long year! Southern California doesn't get seasons so it was a huge blessing to see show right before Christmas! We also had some really sweet time sharing Christ with local baristas in the little town we were staying in. It was a trip that filled our hearts, rested our minds and bodies, and nourished our souls. We look forward to a New Year with the same us, suffering, serving, and rejoicing as we await the return of our Savior.
Family Photo in the snow!!!
This month closed out our first fall semester in seminary. After our upcoming short winter semester, we will have one year under our belts! We are also looking forward to my parents coming to visit at the end of January. Christmas was strange without family but made me realize that I really want to have intentional traditions for the life and family that Stephen and I are building together. Learning reformed theology has been nourishing in so many ways and one of the things I love is learning how the reformers viewed the family as a "mini church". Worship in the family is of high importance and as we slowly figure out and build what that looks like for our family, I am encouraged to be creating rhythms that are unique to the Byrd family and that nourish both body and soul.
Your prayers sustained us through finals! THANK YOU! Not only did Stephen push through many late nights to meet deadlines, but he did so making all A's and excelling at a rigorous school! Only 4 people in the history of our school have graduated with a 4.0 gpa which shows how challenging it can be. I am so proud of him and we both are confident that the prayers of God's people have carried both him and I through the end of the semester. I also did well in all of my classes so we are praising God not only for good grades but more so for learning. Remembering that going down a "rabbit trail" as we study for the sake of our growth in God, even if it doesn't help our grade, is more important than simply making a good grade.
Above: Stephen and I on the left and Stephen and our friend Brennen on the right :)
As we venture into the new year, we are deeply thankful for you all. You have sent emails of encouragement at just the right time. You have sent texts with prayers when we were on our last strand. You have interceded for us when the flesh and the enemy were seeking to destroy. You are a huge part of our backbone of community in life. Thank you for being the body of Christ, caring for us when we are weak, supporting us when our strength fails, and uplifting us in the power of Christ's resurrection. It is his Spirit we share and all of this life is solely for him. All praise to Emmanuel who has rescued captive Israel!
Thank you for your continued love and support!
Much love and many blessings,
The Byrd’s
To bless us abundantly at the end of this year with a one time gift or by becoming monthly partners, press the button below! We continue to trust the Lord as He builds us up for ministry!
