2012 Highlights

I'm not sure when we started it, but for the last several years Dennis and I have been taking time around the new year to reflect on highlights of the past year. We made our list on December 30 while driving back to Indy from a day at Follow12 (a Wesleyan Youth Convention) in Louisville, KY.

Highlights doesn't necessarily mean the best parts of the year or the most outstanding events, though they may be that, but it definitely describes those things that we will remember for years to come when we think about the year 2012. For instance, in 2011, the loss of our little Margot was on the list. It was a very sad time, but we will always remember that day on March 24. Maybe we should give our list the title: Reflections. :)

We usually make a list for the two of us, and then create separate lists for our individual memories. We also follow this list up with Hopes for 2013. It always is a meaningful time for us—looking back and looking forward.

Here's our list for 2012.

1. Sending the Ussher's off to NZ. (A visit to Clint, Jamie, Evee, and Iris is one of our hopes for 2013. It's been a year now and we miss them greatly.)
2. Julie's visit to Budapest in February. We visited five European capitals during our travels.  
3. Vacation to several European countries - Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia. 
4. Securing a padlock engrained with our initials on the iron railing of Budapest's Freedom Bridge. Special moments with significant meaning for us.
5. May 7 - Leo James was born. Love being close to this little guy with Josh and Kari's recent move to Indy.
6. Dennis' new position as Executive Director of Global Partners.
7. Mike and Joni's move to West Michigan. Only a 4.5 hour drive away from Indy.
8. Josh's visit to Budapest for our final days. Loved having you with us for those last days of packing, showing you off to our friends and taking you around the city. Thanks for all your help, Josh!
9. The European annual conference—bringing closure to a wonderful season serving as European Area Director. Our Europe team made us feel very special with their kind and affirming words, and unexpected gifts. Thanks for a great season Europe M's!
10. Leaving Budapest and moving to Indy. One of our hopes for 2013 is to settle in downtown Indy.
11. Bangladesh visit where we welcomed believers into the Wesleyan Church. 
12. Josh, Kari, Stella, and Leo move to Indy. Looking forward to a new season where we may live close enough to walk to each others houses.

Dennis' Highlights:

1. Sailing trip with his Europe Mission Directors and some of the national pastors.
2. Adding two more continents to his travels: South America and Africa. And, no, it isn't a 2013 hope to get to the only continent he has left - Antarctica.
3. International Conference of the Wesleyan Church in Panama.

Gwen's HIghlights:

1. Solo trips to Macedonia (so enjoyed time with the Boyers) and to Switzerland to visit my friend Kathrin.
2. Road trip to Slovenia with Julie.
3. Taking FLAME courses toward my ordination. I'm so energized by the learning process.
4. Road trip to PA with Joni and Miles. 
5. Time with my PA family.