A Reflection On 2022

PAT & KRISTINE:

Trying to put all of a year's growth, challenges, hopes and worries into one place seems a bit daunting.  There were many other experiences (both good and bad) that are not summed up in this blog post, but were nonetheless important and meaningful.  May this glimpse into our lives simply be a means for you to, in essence, sit across the room from us and have a "let's catch up" conversation.  

Kris's mom & stepdad (Earlene and Atle Tessem) left for a mission in Norway in early March.  We made a trip in late February to Utah to wish them well and hear them speak before they headed to Norway.  We are grateful for their example of serving the Lord with all of their hearts.  

                                                   

In early April, we went to see a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The Grand Canyon University theatre department did a phenomenal job, and we truly felt this is the best production of this play that we have ever seen.  It was an added bonus timing wise, coming on the heels of  just studying the story of Jospeh in the Old Testament! 

In late April, on a trip to Rexburg, ID, our van threw a rod.  This van hauled kids for years, and was the family transportation to and from many errands, events and vacations.  While we knew the time was coming to trade it out or retire it, we still were sad when it broke down. We definitely miss the space that it gave us! Pat and Sam rented a U-Haul, completed the trip to Idaho, and came home thanks to a rented moving truck.  

We were so grateful for all of the miracles that occurred in this "curveball" experience...the final miles of the van's life were right outside of Kanab, UT, it was the middle of a weekday, so a garage was open, as was the U-Haul rental facility.  The U-Haul staff worked with Pat to get the lowest price, (saving almost $600), and had him drive the U-Haul back home rather than dropping it off in Rexburg.  That saved us the headache of finding a way home for he and Sam.  One of Pat's motto's is "Life is an Adventure".  Indeed it often is.  

In early June, we welcomed our first grandchild into the world!  I was thrilled to be in good enough health to go to Rexburg to help Lily & Nate with the transition to parenthood.  We didn't tell them that Pat & Natalie would be coming at the end of my visit!  

After a full year of working on his own business, Pat decided to transition back into a formal workplace.  He was hired on with Lucid motors in late July, and right before he started his job, we took a whirlwind trip to California.  We made some wonderful memories, even if Nat did get a bit intimidated by the rides at Knott's Berry Farm.

Mid-August, most of the family was able to gather for our grandbaby's baby blessing.  What a joy to have so much of the family gathered.

In November, Pat's brother Keith passed away. We were able to make very quick trip to Utah to say goodbye to him and be with family.  We are grateful for the kind of man Keith was and the example he set to live life with an optimistic outlook.  

STEPHEN & VICTORIA:

It's been a year of transition for Steve & Toria.  A couple of moves, with their last one landing them in Rexburg, Idaho, occupied the beginning of the year for them.  They have a knack for finding fun and good food wherever they go. 

They have found ways to support their friends who have become like a second family to them, and have had blessings come into their lives from that.  They have enjoyed being in close proximity with Nate and Lily (and their nephew Alex) and make the most of their time by having weekly dinners together. 

Both plan on attending BYU-I within this next year.  

EMILY & TYLER JUDKINS:

Emily and Tyler moved to Southern California at the beginning of the year to follow an amazing job opportunity. Tyler was hired right out of college to work at a game audio studio. He’s been able to work on some cool games like League of Legends and Rumbleverse!

Emily has been keeping busy at her own job as a receptionist at at an accounting firm. She also has been volunteering at United Families International and working on a ton of new embroideries for her Etsy Shop and Instagram page @littlethreadofmine. 

They’ve had so many adventures this year and are looking forward to many more to come!

NATHAN & LILY:

This year has been one of navigating adulthood (and all that that entails) for Nathan and Lily.  They have moved (a couple of times!), enrolled in college, had a baby, experienced financial adventures that included vets and mechanics, and come out still smiling at the end of it all.  

Sweet baby Alexander was born on June 9th.  We love having him as part of the family and seeing Nate and Lily parent in loving and gentle ways.  

Nathan is working at BYU-Idaho as a teacher's assistant to a couple of religion professors.  

Lily is juggling free-lance art commissions, taking classes at BYU-I, and being a new mom.  

ELDER THOMAS JOHN:

Thomas continues to serve in the Seattle, Washington mission.  He has been serving there for 22 months, and is looking ahead to what the next phase of his life will entail.  We love being able to talk with him weekly and hear about his adventures and see how his testimony is growing.  

BEKAH & GARRET HUNT: 

Bekah and Garret started the year moving from Utah to Tucson, Arizona.  They're both students at the University of Arizona and are loving their time there.  

Garret worked as a dental assistant and enjoyed his time learning more about his future profession. His spanish has also improved working there!

Bekah worked as a cheer coach for kids in the summer and has moved to an on campus job. She’s loved meeting so many new people and working at so many different jobs. 

The two celebrated their first anniversary in May with a trip to Hawaii! They’re so excited for 2023 and all of the things to come. 

SAMUEL:  

Sam is a senior in high school this year.  The seniors have the option to paint their parking spot, and he did!  Perry the Platypus is now immortalized for the entire year on the pavement of Combs High.  Sam is loving his classes and his friends.  He had the opportunity to attend our stake's Jospeh's Journey to Christ in June, and felt it strengthened his testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel.  

He started working at Wendy's on Labor Day, and is saving money for his upcoming mission. 

Last first day of high school for Sam, and first first day of high school for Isaac.  

ISAAC:  

Isaac spent all of his 8th grade year serving on the student council at Legacy.  He graduated in May, and was emotional about leaving the school he had been at since kindergarten.  

Attending high school has been academically an easy transition for Isaac.  He loves being able to be with his friends, loves learning and loves seminary.  (Let's pray that continues for the next 3 years!!!) 

Isaac also attended Joseph's Journey in June, and was able to have a ton of fun while building his testimony.  Pat went up the last full day and shared pioneer stories with all of the groups that were there.  

NATALIE:

Natalie is in 6th grade this year, and about to enter the youth program at church.  It's been a bit bittersweet to know that my *baby* is no longer going to be a part of Primary (the children's program).  It's exciting to see what is ahead for her as she has new experiences.   

 

We surprised Natalie with a trip to Idaho while her brothers were at Jospeh's Journey.  It included her first airplane ride.  She was the first of the John children to meet her nephew.  

As we look toward 2023, we do so with excitement and hope. May you find many things that both inspire you and bless the world around you on your own journey.  Any time you are near, remember our door (and our hearts) is always open, and we'd love to see you and catch up.  

With love, Kristine, Pat & the John crew

2021: The Year in Review

JANUARY: 

January began with a trip to the "snow".  Each Christmas for the past decade, we have chosen somewhere to go or something to do that would create memories as a family.  The 2020 gift was to have our younger children experience snow in all of its glory.  As we headed toward the end of January, we decided we had better make the trek up the mountain, even though it had been a LONG time without snow because the winter season was nearly over and no more snow was predicted.  :P  

We enjoyed stargazing, seeing the Grand Canyon and ultimately, finding a tiny patch of snow to play in on the shaded side of a mountain.  There was a frozen cow pond where we spent lots of time sliding, "skating", and let's be honest, slipping and falling.

                                        

While the trip wasn't what we had planned, I think we can all say that it WAS memorable...and we have a real snow trip listed on our "someday we'll do that" list.

FEBRUARY: 

Thomas was able to go through the temple before heading into the mission field.  Many other missionaries we knew had not been able to go to the temple before leaving, and we understood this was a blessing in many ways.   

On February 13th, Stephen and Victoria were married!  They had been dating and spending time together before she served her mission,  and once she was released, we were able to watch their relationship grow and evolve.  We had a wonderful reception that evening to celebrate the beginning of their marriage.  They currently live in Chandler, AZ so we have the blessing of seeing them often.  

Shortly after Stephen & Toria's wedding, I finally was given a diagnosis as to why my right foot was hurting so badly (and had been since November 2020).  I had a partially torn tendon!  What a relief it was to finally get an answer that made sense.  The goal going forward (and even currently) would be to find ways to help it heal.  

MARCH:

Bekah was able to go through the Gila Valley temple in early March.  It was a blessing to have both my mom and stepdad there, and also have Thomas be able to go through the temple again a second time before heading to Seattle, WA just 4 days later.  

 

While attending Eastern Arizona College in the Fall of 2020, Bekah met Garret Hunt.  They got engaged the same day she went through the temple.  At this point in time, our local church buildings were not able to be reserved for wedding receptions, so we made the decision to hold their wedding reception in our backyard.  (For some that would have been an easy choice, but we knew that there would be extensive work involved in prepping our backyard for such an event).  Nevertheless, we committed and

began some of our projects.  

On March 8th, they took their engagement photos.  

Thomas left for Seattle on March 9th.

APRIL: 

Just a month later, Nathan proposed to Lily Manning when he came home between trimesters at BYU-Idaho. They met in the fall of 2020 in the singles ward.  When Nate headed up to BYU-Idaho, Lily supported him through that transition.  It quickly became clear that they would be happier together, rather than trying to manage a long-distance relationship...and so, they began planning the 3rd John family wedding in 2021.

Perhaps our largest project in our backyard reception prep was pouring this cement sidewalk AND extending our patio cement out to the back wall.  We saw miracles as so many came and helped fill in the gaps of where we didn't know things as well as physically giving so freely of time and effort.  If you helped with this or any other part of prepping for this particular reception, we are so immensely grateful for you & your willingness to help us.  

MAY: 

We held a "pre-ception" for Bekah and Garret on May 27th.  This lighted arch framed the entryway into our backyard.  It was the handiwork of Shirell Allen and Emily!  They were a fabulous team, and one of my favorite parts of the decorations.  

May 28th was wedding day for Mrs. Hunt.   

JUNE:

Every one of our sons has to check in to see if they've passed dad up in height.  While Sam still had a bit to grow in this picture, he has since passed Pat up and is the second tallest John boy.  

JULY: 

In July, Emily became the first of our children to graduate with a Bachelor's degree. Her degree is in Marriage and Family studies, and she has found a passion for advocating for the family.  She has volunteered with United Families International (UFI) and will continue to champion the need for more support of and education on current issues and how profoundly they can impact the family.  I've learned so much from her as she's shared what she's learning specifically in this regard.   

Emily and Tyler celebrating her graduation!

Isaac and Natalie headed back to school at the end of July.  Natalie is in the 5th grade and Isaac is in the 8th grade.  It's odd to have just two kids in elementary school and realize we are coming to the end of that phase of our lives.  Isaac is enjoying being a part of the Student Council as an 8th grade representative.  Natalie just finished 4 weeks of a club focusing on becoming an "Aspiring Author".  She's a girl after my own heart...writing and reading.  She also loves to draw, especially dragons.  

AUGUST: 

Nate & Lily were married on August 7th.  

Their reception was that night (church buildings were available again...whew!!!).

 It was absolutely beautiful!  

This is the closest thing we have to a complete family picture this year.  

With Thomas serving his mission and Pat sick enough he missed this wedding, 

this picture is both joyful and sad for me to see.  

Pat's symptoms pre-wedding were nausea (highly unusual for him) and a low grade fever.  We had no reason to be overly concerned...but he couldn't seem to shake it.  The week after the wedding, he ended up with pneumonia, and tested for COVID as an afterthought.  When the test came back positive, I was both relieved and highly concerned.  Pat was kind enough to share it with me, and we both rounded out the rest of August fighting COVID.  I have a very serious respect for all those who have fought this disease over the past 18 months, and am deeply sorry for all those who have lost loved ones to it.  I pray we may continue to find ways to navigate all of the changes it has brought into our lives. 

SEPTEMBER:

Labor day weekend, we did a family trip to Flagstaff.  We stopped at Montezuma's Castle on the drive up. It was a very quick loop, and fascinating to see how people lived thousands of years ago.  

We also made the trek out to Sunset Crater.  This geologist was very happy to explain all sorts of rock related things to us during that trip.  

Flagstaff will always feel a bit like home to me.  

My years at NAU were wonderful years of growth for me.  

These mountains.  <3

One of the "gifts" COVID left me with is an ongoing struggle with energy and mental clarity.  

This has been a battle for me...in many ways, and approaching my 50th birthday, I was in a quandary.  I had planned for 18 months to do 50 acts of kindness near my birthday and to rally as many people as I could to do as many acts of kindness as they could, thus flooding the world with 50,000 acts of kindness.  

I realized by late August, I would have to change my expectations.  

SO....I did what I could with the capabilities I had.  

We packed meals for children in need at Feed My Starving Children.  

Thanks to everyone who joined in this night of service!  

It is always good for me to see that we are leaving an impact through how we serve.   

OCTOBER: 

This month saw a lot of effort/struggle from both Pat and I in different arenas.  

 After nine years with CMC, Pat was let go in June of this year.  With much prayerful consideration about the path that God would have us on and where He wants us to be, Pat has been working on developing his own Environmental Consulting business (www.azenvcompliance.com).  Anyone who has started a business knows there are many challenges that are involved in that growth.  We are working on that process together (him doing the grunt work and mostly me just cheering on and supporting him)!

October was also the month I concluded that my encounter with COVID, for whatever reason, has left me with "long-haul" symptoms. Those symptoms feel and manifest very much like an auto-immune flare, which, for me, has led to a lot of discouragement.  While the tendon in my foot was able to heal during my downtime, it has felt like everything else has taken a step backward health-wise.  My energy is tapped very quickly, and I struggle with mental clarity, especially when I work on the computer or need to talk or interact for more than an hour.  I've spent a lot of time thinking about how what I do doesn't create my value or worth, but inherently, I have worth, even if (in my estimation) I am able to do only a fraction of what I would like to be doing.  

The best news of this month?  Towards the end of October Lily and Nate announced our first grandbaby will be coming in June of 2022!

 NOVEMBER:

After many hours over many months, Pat and his friend Ryan Dawson completed 

a 102 mile bike ride in the Tour de Tucson on November 20th!  

Pat had "a little spill" during the Tour.  He had about 5 different spots with the road rash.  As his wife, I was so very grateful that he was watched over (by God) and didn't sustain any serious injuries when he wrecked.

Stephen and Sam went to Dragonsteel Con, in Utah.  It was a wonderful couple of days for them where they got to dress up as characters from one of their favorite book series by Brandon Sanderson.  They also got to see him and listen to him in a couple of sessions/panels.  Sanderson is a family favorite when it comes to writers.  

Thomas was recently transferred to a new area where he is training a greenie and has been given 

new leadership responsibilities.  That makes his third greenie in the 8 months he has been out.  It is humbling to see how the Lord challenges each one of us in our circumstances.  

We have truly seen Thomas rise to the expectations placed upon him, and his growth is amazing to see. 

This is him on Thanksgiving day.  

DECEMBER: 

We have had so much exciting news happen within the last couple of weeks.  Tyler will be graduating from BYU-Provo this month!  His degree is a Bachelor of Media Arts, AND he has already been offered a job in California, working with his first choice game audio studio. We have seen miracles in their lives as they have moved forward with faith.  They will be moving right before Christmas.  

Bekah & Garret will be re-locating to Tucson this month, and as we talk with our other kids, it's apparent that each of them are on their own journey to follow the Lord and go where He wants them to be.  That's not always easy as parents (when it takes them physically farther away), but we continue to trust that God has a plan for them (and for us) that will help shape us into the very best we can be.  

This year has been overwhelming in so many ways.  So much good has happened.  In the same breath, so many challenges have been a part of this year as well.  Suffice it to say, 2021 was a year that changed us.  And I pray that those changes will refine us and help us become the people God wants us to be.  

May this Christmas season bring you peace and joy as you focus on He who sacrificed His life for us.  

Sending so much love, 

The John Family

Results

It's been a little more than a week...and amazingly, I'm extremely happy with the results of my commitments mentioned on Sept. 23rd.

I definitely haven't been perfect...but WOW!
All I can say is, what a difference!

I have successfully kept my early morning time on Facebook/Pinterest down to under a half hour & when I check periodically throughout the day, it is typically a very quick on & off.
I'm reading a grand total of 3 blogs regularly, which takes about 5 minutes...and then I'm off & doing more important things.
Facebook is truly off of my phone, and all of a sudden, my phone is considerably less important to me.

I feel a renewed desire to develop my own creativity.
I'm engaging more fully with my children.
I'm more introspective and likely to keep an internal goal that I have set.
I'm generally happier.

So hasta la vista extensive computer time.
I'm moving on to productivity.

Can you join me?

Commitments

For quite a while, I've been feeling prompted, driven, moved...whatever term you may use to limit my time on the computer.
It's an odd thing, really...because it truly is a rare occasion that I sit down to watch a movie...and there are no television shows that I'm willing to sacrifice my time to commit to watching regularly.
Put a laptop in my hand, however, and I'm sucked in.
Frequently checking Facebook and Pinterest...seeing what's changing in the online world.

Over the course of the past month, for the first time in 18 years, I've had a regular 2 hours worth of time that I have been able to spend doing whatever *I* want as my Natalie sleeps and all of my other kids are in school.
It's been AMAZING.

Suddenly, crafting at 10pm isn't my only option.
I've completed more projects in the past month and held more classes than I ever have before.
And I'm happy.
Happy, in an "I'm accomplishing something" sort of way.
(Not that raising children and taking care of their needs isn't an accomplishment, but it's an accomplishment that takes months & years to see the results.)

I'm not sure why it is I struggle so much with trying to follow what it is that I feel is God's path for me.  I knew 2 months ago that Facebook needed to be removed from my phone.
So I took it off.
And then I put it back on.
And then took it off again.
And then opened it in my Safari browser so that I could still access it easily, but not really put it back on my phone.
Sigh.
Hard-headed somewhat, wouldn't you say?

So, while I've been telling you changes were coming for a couple of months now...as I've felt the Lord working on my heart, now is my time to truly commit...
First to myself,
then to the Lord,
and finally...because a couple of you asked about it, to you.

1) First and foremost, I will start my day with family devotional, family prayer (by 5:45!!) and then personal scripture study and personal prayer.
2) I will check my e-mails and Facebook messages second thing in the morning.  If there is any urgent business I will attend to it then.
3) If desired, I will spend about 2 hours in productive computer projects.  (These may include working on the computer...writing, organizing photos, paying bills, family history, even potentially blogging or scrapbooking in MDS...or other things I may not be thinking of yet)...no checking Facebook though.  (And I'm deleting almost all of the dozen blogs I've narrowed my list down to off of my bookmarks bar...very little take-away from the majority of them.)
4) After that...the computer will go off for a while.  I'm going to baby step toward getting my house in order...so FlyLady's mission of the day will be on my agenda.

That's as far as I'm going to commit today.
I'll check in here within the week and let you know how it goes.

Wish me luck....and if you need me, call me.  :D
--Kris