Family of 6, Part 2: 2015

December, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

I am once again surprised to be writing our Christmas greeting. Time flies! We have had such a wonderful and busy year. You can see pictures of our escapades on our family blog (famof6part2.blogspot.com). We enjoyed camping trips, time on the East Coast, visits with family, and continuing to homeschool (so lots of field trips…always fun :).

Carl - He’s busy at the moment reading a towering stack of books and writing pages and pages of papers for the Doctor of Ministry program at The Master’s Seminary, so I’ll have to write his portion for him this year (hee hee…what should I write…ok, I’ll be nice). It’s a 3 year program, so he gets to do all the coursework as well as continue full-time pastoring here at Grace Church (gracechurchsr.com). He has been preaching through Isaiah, and loves Isaiah 43:11: I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.

Kerstin - I am always amazed at how full life is keeping up with growing kids and Carl’s studies (I get the privilege of reading his papers). It is such a blessing to be able to share life with this family. I do have to write the coming day’s schedule on the white board in our kitchen the night before, since someone is always coming or going and I am finding myself more and more forgetful! This is the “taxi” stage, although Hanna can now drive too. I’ve been surprised by some unexpected things like times away with friends (even water skiing!), hitting a target with a bow and arrow, and even learning glass fusing. These are moments when I am shocked to be doing something so…out of the ordinary. When I have an spare moment, I enjoy studying the Bible (through the New Testament this year), swimming/running/hiking, gardening, sitting in the sun (of which we had plenty in CA in 2015), playing viola again, painting, or sketching. I love doing commissions (artbykasteen.blogspot.com) and have 4 children’s books on Amazon/Kindle, art at Fine Art America, and cards at Greeting Card Universe. I’m reading through Luke this month. I love this from Chapter 1: Luke states his purpose is "to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." CERTAINTY! In a world with so much uncertainty, we can have certainty by God’s Word! I highly recommend reading the book of John in 2016, especially if you never have…or even reading it again.

Johanna (18) - Hard to believe our sweet Hanna is 18! She’s a senior in high school, but she’s already doing the EMT coursework at the Santa Rosa Junior College and LOVES it. This has definitely been a highlight of her year as she memorizes scenarios and goes on ride-alongs with delight. She wants to continue on with EMT studies, potentially becoming a paramedic or even doing search and rescue. Hanna spent the summer working at Victory Bible Camp in Alaska as a lifeguard on activities staff. She loves camouflage and cowgirl style, which is obvious when you see her truck decor and stickers :) Hanna loves spending time with her family and friends. She really likes Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Magdeline (16) - Lovely Maggie had a busy year with activities and school. She had the opportunity to train with a soccer coach from Honduras (loved it), and then enjoyed track (thinking to keep in shape for soccer). She loved triple jump, 100M, and hurdles. Unfortunately, she fell on a hurdle at the CMCs and tore the ligaments in her right ankle to the point of having a walking cast (and still rehabilitating to this day). Despite the cast, Maggie flew to Alaska and spent 6 weeks at Victory Bible Camp working, helping out with different programs, even riding and swimming cast/brace and all. It was definitely different than she had expected, but a wonderful experience. She saw lots of moose, enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, saw Him provide for her, and met many people who love Jesus. Maggie joined us on our trip to New Jersey, where she got to surf. She keeps us laughing with what we lovingly refer to as her “blonde moments.” She discovered this school year that she loves photography, and she’s great at it. Her favorite Scripture remains Isaiah 40. Verses 30-31 read: Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Lilyana (11 1/2) - Lily is so thoughtful, always thinking of how she can treat or gift someone else. She spends her dog-sitting money on others. If we drive by a cafe, she’ll ask, “Would you like some coffee, Mama? My treat!” When I was sick, she bought me a bouquet and then she and Trey made a beautiful indoor garden in my bedroom with lots of pots with different flowers and berries from the garden. Trey always looks for Lily to share everything with, calling, “Lily, Lily, Lily” whenever he has news. Lily ponders, seriously thinking one day, “Each day is like a visitor. It wakes you up knocking, comes in, and then goes away.” She likes to come up with poems like, “What good is a lock without a key, and what good are you without me?” Lily is also developing her humor. When I came back from the mile open ocean swim in New Jersey and said I’d swallowed a lot of water, she observed deadpan, “I thought the ocean looked lower.” And when we were memorizing the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Lily listed one as “Papa’s biceps!” Lily enjoys learning piano, cello, ballet, and playing on a winning soccer team. She enjoyed being a cook (at the historic Ft. Ross overnighter we did this year) and churning butter. She loves dogs so much, and continues thinking she will want to work with animals as a dog trainer or a marine biologist (dolphins are still a favorite). Lily likes John 16:33 where Jesus says: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Carl III a.k.a. “Trey” (9 1/2) - Our little guy is growing so fast. And he has SO much energy! He loves our adopted cats, legos, superheroes, making noise, playing violin and piano, eating sweets, playing video games, playing soccer and basketball, teasing his sisters, jumping on the trampoline, decorating for Christmas, and doing everything fast, fast, fast. Which means he sleeps pretty soundly. One morning when I had to wake him up, he stated sadly, “It’s my turn to ride the pony. Why did you wake me up? I was about to ride the pony….” Trey is thoughtful. When I was sick, he drew me a multiple page get well card on his Nintendo and checked to see if I needed anything. About his sister Hanna, he mentioned, “Hanna can be outstanding.” And “Lily is a scrapbook full of lovely memories.” Trey got to be in the militia at our Ft. Ross overnighter, which he declared was hard work! He had to march in uniform with his musket and bayonet, get up for night watch duty, and stand still for a long, long time. Trey ponders about many things, expressing at one point, “I love my eyes. I love how they close automatically and I love my brain and how I can talk to it.” His favorite verse is Jeremiah 33:3: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and God’s peace in 2016.

Lily loves her hamster Stella and made a balloon bouquet for Maggie's birthday.

More soccer

Camping at Doran was fun albeit more foggy than October typically is.

Maggie worked on her photography skills.

We had the fun of going to Ft. Ross overnight, taking on historical roles and living as if we were there long ago. I was the photographer, a French man named Auguste, Lily was a cook, and Trey was in the militia.

A storyteller told stories by candlelight.

Morning comes

Marching, and marching, and marching

Food prep

They learned how to brand.

We spent time down at the beach.

They learned a Russian dance.

Trey had to march with his bayonet.

Flag lowering

I got to go away for a weekend on Lake Nacimiento and WATERSKI, tube, kayak, and hang with friends. So fun. I have waterskied in New Jersey at the bay in Toms River, on the Mediterranean Sea by Monaco, in Alaska, and now (20 years later) in CA. We even saw an eagle.