Drink it in, every ounce, hold the love close.

"You know what I really love this time of year? The deluge of Christmas cards. I love the photos, the families with kids laughing, the newborns and baby bumps, the grey heads beaming next to their grands, friends with their dog or a selfie from their trip to Edinburgh or Santa Fe. So much life. A few nights ago, as I opened our first stack, I started sobbing. Miska put her hand on my back. It was not sadness, but all the goodness. In the great darkness, beauty and love burns on. I looked at each photo and found myself saying, Drink it in, every ounce, hold the love close.  How is it possible to feel such sorrow and such gratitude all at once? Maybe that’s one of Advent’s threads: being fully attuned to what seems lost or shattered, while also being pierced by brilliant shafts of light." - Winn Collier 

Molly with her toy 

Gingie is in the house! 

oh happy day! 

welcome Jim and Erika!! 

best spot in the house 

again- best spot in the house! 

Winter Solstice

by Angela Alaimo O'Donnell Written while rocking a cranky baby The only way this solstice day to greet the lack of light  is to sing, to fill the night sky with music, shy of stars and moon as it may be, you still must fling your voice, far & away  the best hope you have & are, for song is a salve that heals all harm, the why we whistle in the dark, it rescues us from the teeth of grief, that starved and ever-hungry shark that would devour us. The day is brief but bright. Break it with song, invite the darkling world to sing along.

Percy Warner 

fun dinner out at the Redheaded Stranger 

Cheers to 30 Years!

 

This past week, Veronica Lemuya spearheaded a two-day celebration for Children of the Kingdom to mark 30 years of ministry in Kenya. Rejoice with us and celebrate what God has done in these last three decades in the lives of children and families in Kenya.   Thanks to the gift of technology, I was able to share this speech below for the celebration (video here) that Veronica translated for me at the banquet:  It is an honor to share a brief word with you today as we celebrate 30 years of this incredible child sponsorship program.  For three decades, God has used this mission to transform lives, families, and communities here in Kenya. Today, we look back with gratitude for what He has done and look forward with hope for what He will continue to do. I want to start off by taking a moment to thank Bishop Kaaleng for the seed he planted back in 1994 that helped to begin this program. I also want to thank those who have walked alongside the children through the years in this work- especially our invaluable Children of the Kingdom team doing the hands on the ground work now– Veronica, Jecinta, and Janet.  To the students here today: This program is not just about providing education—it is about sharing God’s love. Every lesson you learn, every skill you develop, and every opportunity you receive is a reminder that you are deeply valued and loved by God. He has a purpose for your life, and through your education, He is equipping you to serve His Kingdom in ways that only you can. Believe in the gifts God has placed within you. Whether you dream of becoming a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, or a leader in your community, remember that your dreams matter. They are part of God’s plan to shine His light in this world. With this gift of education comes a great responsibility. The world needs people like you—young men and women of faith, courage, and compassion—who will go out and serve others. As you grow, look for ways to give back. Let your life be a reflection of God’s love, bringing hope to those in need, just as this program has done for you. I encourage you to walk with faith. Remember who you are and whose you are. Zephaniah 3:17 gives us this beautiful truth: “The Lord our God is with you. He is mighty to save. The Lord will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love and rejoice over you with singing.”  Trust in God’s promises, even when the road feels difficult. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Hold on to that truth. With God’s help, there is no limit to what you can achieve. As we celebrate 30 years, let us also look to the future. Together, we can continue this mission to empower more children, share God’s love, and build a brighter future for generations to come. May God bless each of you abundantly. You are the hope of tomorrow, and we are so proud of all you are becoming. Below is the speech from Samwel Kablit, one of our Children of the Kingdom alumni:  ​ Celebrating 30 Years of Children of the Kingdom : A Journey of Transformation and Hope Today, as we mark the 30th Anniversary of Children of the Kingdom, I reflect on a story that defines God's faithfulness and the power of unwavering hope. This is not just my story but the testimony of countless lives that Children of the Kingdom has transformed over the years. In 2003, I wrote an application letter seeking sponsorship after my KCPE exams. Though I had excelled and topped my class, I faced uncertainty. As I prepared for our church youth camp in Napeikar, Loima, I had faith that God would reveal Himself. Little did I know that a series of divine interventions would change the trajectory of my life forever. Despite several follow-ups and relentless prayers, I watched others join high schools while my hope dimmed. I accompanied friends to their schools, not knowing if I would ever have the same chance. At my lowest, I confessed to my mother, who has always been a pillar of strength, that if help didn’t come, I would give up on education altogether. One day, sitting under a tree, consumed by despair, God intervened. Joshua Lemuya passed by on his Suzuki motorbike—a sound I recognized well. He stopped and asked, “Hujaenda shule?” That moment became my turning point. On February 2, 2004, the very day I was to report to school, Children of the Kingdom had paid my school fees. I was overwhelmed with gratitude—God had answered my prayers. From that moment, my life took a new direction. I joined high school, proceeded to college, secured my first job before graduation, and eventually completed my undergraduate studies. Today, I am humbled to share that I recently graduated with a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship. This milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Children of the Kingdom, my sponsors, the guidance of Rev. Dr. Joshua Lemuya, and the encouragement from fellow sponsored students. Children of the Kingdom gave me more than education; it gave me hope, purpose, and a future. As we celebrate 30 years of Children of the Kingdom, I thank God for this incredible ministry and its impact. It is a reminder that no matter how hopeless a situation seems, God’s timing is perfect, and His plans are always greater. To Children of the Kingdom, its founders, sponsors, and supporters: thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ. May you continue to transform lives for generations to come. While this letter below was addressed to me, it is for all of us who have been a part of this work for the last thirty years. What amazing grace that "Children of the Kingdom has become more than an organization. It's a home, a community, and a source of inspiration." All glory and praise to God as we celebrate thirty years! ​

12-20-24

afternoon run with Anna (and this Christmas hawk) 

oh my- times have changed.... so sweet to see these four all grown up! 

(Caroline, Wilder, Anna, and Taylor) 

annual Christmas catch up at the Allen's house 

12-19-24

 

good day sunshine on Thursday at Percy Warner Park 

annual walk with Rachel on one of our favorite trails in Percy Warner Park 

at a Christmas tea at Mindy Orman's house with Melissa Hauck 

(Mom and I are donning the amazing sweaters that Nonnie made many moons ago) 

annual photo in front of Nate and Lillian's Christmas tree :) 

selfie with Lila who is home from Colorado College

12-18-24

 

sure love being with these old friends for some time this afternoon playing pickleball... 

and loved the evening in one of our favorite living rooms of all time tonight... 

Taylor sure knows how to make a mean kale salad... 

Rafa! 

Holiday Cheer

 

Christmas coffee date with Laura 

annual pre-Christmas happy hour with Jaime, Annie, and Malia 

Anna and I went to this hilarious pop-up Christmas Dive Bar in Capitol Hill for the photo ops after dinner last night 

the biggest disco ball we have ever seen 

the GIANT blow up Santa 

While we did not order a cocktail last night, these sure would be fun to try to re-create for the holidays! 

Basecamp

I recently read someone's Instagram post about the season of life when their kids were launching to college.  She'd decided that she did not want to call this season the traditional name of "the empty nest" because she did not really like the phrase (because it feels so-- empty!).  Instead, she said, "We're basecamp, sending climbers out for their adventures. And they are welcome to return for refueling, rest, comfort, and warmth anytime. We keep the home fires burning." I've become quite fond of this wording and could not agree more with how fitting it is for this season. 

basecamp Monday night dinner with the Hestads tonight