God has graced us with another year full of life with lessons learned and reasons to celebrate! We give thanks to Him for your friendship and our journey together.
Anders is enjoying his senior year of high school with his sites on Oral Roberts University in the Fall beginning with an interest in International Business Marketing. He was on the homecoming court this fall and finished out a great soccer season having made it to state as a varsity defender! Anders has graduated from Catan to cribbage this year and enjoys taking on anyone who’s willing to play. He's learning Joe's trade with his own Amazon business this year! Save the date for Anders' graduation party 2-5pm, Saturday, May 20, 2017!
Sedric played goalie this past Fall for the BVHS Lynx and also worked as a soccer and flag football ref. He turned a SWEET 16 this year and we are blessed with his regular graces through the kitchen to the piano in the livingroom. His bedroom impressively made it on a national disaster watchlist! Nobody remembers what color his carpet is... Sedric also started his own Ebay business this year learning the family trade.
Carson has explored the world of dentistry and medicine this year. His appendix came out in September and his braces came off in November. He also enjoyed soccer throughout the year and continues to play on a Club team this winter. One of his highlights for 2016, or at least memorable moments, is Trump voted President.
Isaiah grew leaps and bounds this year in height, but also in his social connectedness. This Spring he supported our community in saving trees along our road with his “Green Lives Matter” slogan. This Fall he joined the STEM Club at his school and continues to develop his creative, problem-solving perspective in life with a particular interest in habitation on Mars and dreams of a cat farm on earth.
Joe continues to play for the GHL (geriatric hockey league) which has become his motivation to cope with our SD winters. He continues to lead the Barton Publishing team in delivering hope and healing through their products and services. Wholetones grew to new heights in 2016, hitting #68 in all music sold on Amazon.com. Exciting things ahead for 2017 including new ventures in the beauty/cosmetics industry! When not working, he's letting Gus in and out of the house on frequent intervals, thankfully "his patience" in training 3 years ago worked well!
Our travels this summer took us on a RV Roadtrip to the Ark Encounter in Kentucky – Amanda’s highlight of the year. The BP team families enjoyed a week together in Alexandria. Joe, Amanda and Anders served another year at Royal Family KIDS Camp while Sedric, Carson and Isaiah ventured out with Grandpa and Grandma for a fishing trip. Joe and Amanda wrapped up the summer with a trip to India. So many take-aways from that trip, but two that stand out:
1) The kingdom of heaven is alive and well all around the world – God is doing amazing things
2) We all have limitations. Once we come to terms with the reality that we can’t do it all, we can focus on what we can do and do it with excellence
As we reflect over 2016 and look ahead to 2017, we cherish our days and those around us as we consider our love and memories of Amanda’s grandpa Bob Anderson who died in March.
It’s not just a man that died today,
It’s a generation that’s passing.
One that we too quickly forget has paved the path for us.
He was one of the last - “The Last Man’s Club.”
24 Men who never considered themselves heroes now down to 5.
Men who did what needed to be done “like anyone would.”
Years and experience shape a man.
A treasure uncovered through the passing of time.
Stories once steeped in pain and shame
Now shared in desperation for the lessons to live on.
Wisdom spoken with no words at all.
A simple presence made one aware.
We are not our own. Nothing is a guarantee.
“Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God.”
- R.W. Anderson, December 26, 1924 - March 23, 2016