This time of year is taxing – physically, mentally, and even spiritually. When we are weary, the devil doubles up on his attacks, wanting us to fall.
So, as I am want to do, I will take a short break from posting until sometime after the beginning of the year. I am going to take time to recharge and spend time with family, which, as Massey gets older, is something Karen and I cherish more and more.
So, for my last post of the year, I thought I would share our Christmas letter (2024) that we traditionally send out with our Christmas cards. My apologies to those of you who will already have read it, but to all, a most Merry Christmas!
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Christmas greetings from the Fowler household!
It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of 2024! While some things remain the same, many things have changed over the last few years.
After one major back surgery about seven years ago and in an attempt to put off an even bigger one as long as possible, Karen has officially retired after 27+ years of teaching. We are very grateful that, at this point, she is able to manage her pain overall, and she is enjoying retirement.
We’ve had difficult transitions, too, in that Karen’s dad passed away a week shy of his 90th birthday in the spring of 2023. And then, her mom passed in May of this year. We still mourn our loss but rejoice in their gain. We look forward to a great reunion someday!
I am in my 6th year of driving a school bus and am officially recertified to drive for another six! If I can make it that long, the kids I first drove as kindergarteners will graduate! I also continue to pastor but added a third congregation in 2023! I preach at each church every Sunday morning, but thankfully, they’re not too far apart. The newest one is South Vernon and is actually in Mt. Vernon, whereas the other two are rural.
My parents are doing pretty well overall, but at this point in life, they struggle with multiple issues. We are grateful that they are still a part of our lives. Prayers for them are much appreciated.
After diligent searching, Massey is now happily employed! He is a Research Engineer in Computational Fluid Dynamics at the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Center (BCDC) in Bryan, Texas as part of The Texas A&M University System. He loves being back in Texas and is doing very well. We are grateful for his time with us post-grad. He was an invaluable asset to us on many fronts. We rejoice with him but wish Texas wasn’t quite so far away.
So, with that, Karen and I have once more settled into empty nester mode, but life continues to be full. Though many aspects of our lives may be status quo, our love for each other is fuller, richer, and sweeter as the days go by.
Our sincere prayer is that you are allowing God to be a part of your lives. As you strive to fulfill His calling upon your life, may His love and compassion fill you, splashing over onto all those around you! Nothing is more important than what we do with what He has given us – for we are all truly blessed.
With a never-ceasing love! Thom, Karen, and Massey
Dec 24th, 2024, Tues, 1:47 pm
