11th Move

Here we are, settled into our 11th different house in 13 years of marriage! This one is just down the street from the previous house. What is it about us and moving?

In the pursuit of simplification, and remaining mobile in the event that God leads us forward at the drop of a hat, moving much has benefited us. For a family of 6, we can pretty handily do a move in a week or less from start to finish. Each time, we get rid of stuff and junk, and keep ourselves pretty lean. Sure, we have our share of material possessions, but in a world where there is such an emphasis on getting more and better things all the time, we live fairly modest.

I wouldn't recommend moving so much to people. For us, though, it's adventurous and fun to experience change, and not get too comfortable. Most of our moves have been short distance. With the exception of our move to Houston and back, we have stayed in the same general area. So we've been able to keep in close relationship with people, as well as get to know new ones. Our current move has taken us about 1/2 mile away... still in the heart of downtown historic Globe, AZ.

The main reason for moving this time was for a fenced in yard! We were on top of each other in a little Globe cottage for 8 months without a yard. So, we found a little Globe cottage with a yard to move into. It's a cute, old place with just as much character as the other. It's still walking distance to our coffee house, friends houses, and many small town happenings.

Speaking of happenings, how are things going in Globe you ask? We are still adjusting to the small town way of life, and we are continuing to discover the things God wants us to be about both internally and externally. He is shaping our community here, and we are excited about the current opportunities, as well as the future possibilities. We have embraced the City of Globe as our church, and we are activily embracing citizenship here so we can be a light for Him in this place. Globe is literally a "city on a hill," and we are about bringing God's light to the people here.

Tara has been Superwoman this past year! She's been working on her BSN through Grand Canyon University and will be finished in May. She is teaching CNA classes at Gila Community College this year, and just finished her first semester of that. She and I have been homeschooling Noah and Isaac through Arizona Virtual Acadamy, and she is doing home health visits for the elderly here in Globe! Through these things, she has been able to express her gifts to the young and old here in Globe!

I (Bryce) was able to teach GED classes toward the end of this past semester at Gila Community College in San Carlos, and have been invited back to continue that part time next semester. This has been, and is, a great opportunity as we have been praying for a practical way to be out on the Rez since we moved up here! There may also be an opportunity to start GED classes at the Detention Center in San Carlos as well. I'm excited to help in this area as San Carlos has merely a 20% high school graduation rate! I am also working with adults with disabilities in the area by either helping them find work, or tutoring them educationally. Also, I have been continuing to help manage our coffee shop alongside Dezi and Jordan.

Emily and Joshua have been doing really well! Emily just had her 5th birthday... hard to believe! She has been doing great in pre school. Her teachers love her and she has made lots of friends. Her specialty is art. She loves to color and paint, and is so good at it. Joshua will be 4 in February. He loves physical activity- jumping on the trampoline, punching, kicking, climbing... he's all boy! He has also been doing great in pre school, and was pretty much the class leader by the end of the semester!

Noah and Isaac learned so much in home school this year, as did Tara and I helping teach them! Isaac just turned 8 and Noah will be 11 in March. Their favorite activity is hanging out with Stuart and Bennett Kim. We are real excited to be a part of Inspired Learning Academy next semester, which is a K-3 school and a home school Coop. Isaac will be attending the school, and Noah will still be doing AZVA, but with others inside a classroom. As parents, we'll take turns assisting those who are doing virtual academy. Friends in our community here in Globe have been working hard to put together this creative school opportunity for families here in Globe. And now, we'll be able to be a part of that as well!

So much to share... sorry it's been so long. Please be praying for some of these things:

-Inspired Learning Academy- The school is continuing to grow, and we want to really help create a positive, encouraging, and creative learning environment.

-For us to have wisdom and discernment as we continue to be heavily involved in things here in the city, as well as on the reservation. The resistance to the work God is doing in and through us is strong.

-We are looking for an inexpensive, quality, 7 passenger vehicle (hard to find!). Our van is about to go... it broke down on Tara the other day on the highway with all the kids on board. We've had trouble with it this past year, and have put too much money into it.

-Continued community growth with those who are here for the same purposes- Baker Family, Kim Family, Eric and Chris Shin, and Josh Wilshusen.

Thanks for reading all this. There's a lot more to share too, so I'll try and update more frequently. We hope you have a great Christmas and blessed New Year. Please let us know how things are going with you!