2 0 1 0 U P D A T E
THE KITCHENS
A Year of Blessing
Greetings from the Kitchens!
Winding down 2010, we are in awe of
God’s blessings. The birth of Norah
Grace, Klon’s shift to a more flexible
work schedule, and Tracy’s fruitfulness
in homeschool are just a few of the
graces we enjoy.
THE COUPLE
It is impossible to share all of the ways
the Lord is showing himself to be kind
and loving to us, His children; however,
we hope this brief newsletter provides
a glimpse of His glory. In the following
pages you will find “Tracy’s Take” on the
kids, Klon’s “state of the family,” as well
THE GIRLS
“AND YOU SHALL REJOICE IN ALL
THE GOOD THAT THE LORD YOUR
GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU AND TO
YOUR HOUSE ...” DEUT. 26.11
as a few prayer requests and book
recommendations. Of course, we’ve
also included tons of pictures.
You too are among the blessings and
we hope you are spurred on by this
newsletter to consider and recount
God’s goodness to you.
THE BOYS
Tracy’s Take: A Year of Growth for Our Children
Where do I (Tracy) begin? It's been a
busy, but fun, year! We began
homeschooling Ava this year. I was a
little concerned with how the logistics
would work out, but God has proven
(once again) to be kind and gracious to
us. All of the kids are thriving with this
new schedule and I am enjoying the
additional structure it adds to our days
and weeks. Although I am often
exhausted, I find great joy in my role at
home caring for our family. I am trying
to trust in God completely for the
strength and energy I need to fulfill this
job he has called me to.
Ava enjoys learning and loves
impressing us with her knowledge and
skills. It has been a joy to teach her! She
is very crafty, and often comes out of
her quiet time having constructed a
cowgirl outfit out of paper or musical
instruments (again, made out of paper)
and posters for her band. We are trying
to encourage this creativity while also
teaching her not to waste our
resources by flying through paper at an
alarming rate! She also enjoys writing
long stories and songs. She continues to
show a soft heart and is a wonderful big
sister. Ethan and Liv would do just
about anything she asks and she is
happy to be their leader. She is eager to
serve the family and is extremely
helpful around the house.
“THERE IS NO CURE FOR
LAZINESS, BUT A LARGE
FAMILY HELPS.” HERBERT
PROCHNOV
Ethan has really come out of his shell
this year. We are still occasionally
surprised by him when we're
entertaining. He has started replacing
Ava as the conversationalist at the
dinner table! He has always been very
good at puzzles and the alphabet. I
have included a small amount of
instruction for him in our
homeschooling and have been
encouraged by his progress. His favorite
toy right now is Mr. Potato Head and
he has started regularly asking me if he
can play with a tortilla or a pickle. (If
you don't understand that, you should
go watch Toy Story 3.) He is a very
sweet boy and still enjoys the
occasional snuggle with mom. THE KIDS
Liv is, well, Liv. She is wonderful,
energetic, talkative and...crazy. She
continues to be big for her age and
quickly learns how to do whatever the
bigger kids are doing. And that is why I
don't feel like a horrible mom for
continuing to think that she's turning 3
and not 2 on December 28th. :) Many
people think that she doesn't talk at all,
but she actually doesn’t stop talking
when at home with the family. She
responds to music and singing more AVA (02/13/05)
than the others did and has started
doing her own solos in the car. She
somehow finds a way to be both a
girlie-girl and a bully, so we are working
on her people skills. :) She is very happy
to be a big sister and is constantly
trying to help baby "Wo-wa".
We’re still learning about Norah. She
has been a wonderful baby and we've
been blessed by her easy-going nature
so far. She loves to sit up in the Bumbo
and look around. She is still learning to ETHAN (01/19/07)
roll around from back to chest and
then back again. It is not unusual to see
her strangely contorted as if she got
stuck halfway through a roll. We look
forward to getting more glimpses into
who she is as she grows.
There are still many times that Klon
and I look at each other and say
something to the effect of, “Can you
believe we have four children??” Each of
these children are such a gift. Klon and I
know that we do not deserve this OLIVIA (12/28/08)
blessing and that we often do not
parent as we should. Praise God, He is
teaching us more each year about our
sin and our failings, but even more
about His grace and mercy. One of the
verses I’ve carried with me throughout
this year is Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the
LORD, and do good; dwell in the land
and befriend faithfulness.” My prayer is
that each day I will not seek perfection
as my goal, but that I will befriend
faithfulness to the One who has been
so faithful to me. NORAH (07/13/10)
Klon’s “State of the Family”
Our family is strong and thriving as tangible picture of Christ-like service I greatest objects of love and pride we
2010 comes to a close. This year have ever known and this spurs me on. will ever know.
brought some difficulties and sorrows Apart from her faithful work in the Finally, we are thankful. Thankful for the
but many more blessings and joys. In home, I have seen great growth in Tracy many friends and family members who
the final assessment, we now know over the last year. As has been her have invested in us over the last year.
more of God’s grace and provision than prayer, her capacities for grace and Your selfless giving was often the very
ever before and so we are profoundly kindness are expanding rapidly and I means by which God lavished his grace
thankful. must confess that I am the primary on us. Whether it was through prayer, a
Tracy and I have grown in our love for beneficiary of this increase. She is friendly phone call or conversation,
one another and for our children. Jesus faithful in the spiritual disciplines and whether it was by Skype or by email,
has allowed us to deliberately daily strives to place her hope in you have conveyed your love for us and
encourage each other in word and Christ, rather than in me or my so shown us just how blessed we are.
deed and we are trying to incrementally provision. She is a faithful wife, a loving It is because of these many blessings
remove unhelpful distractions from our mother, and a godly woman whom I am that we are able to minister to others.
marriage. Living this kind of “simple” life blessed to call my own. Please know that, even if we rarely see
in a town like DC—which is anything Our children also are flourishing. With you, we understand you to be a vital
but simple—isn’t easy, but we are trying Norah’s arrival, we now have four part of our lives and ministry and we
and enjoying ourselves. children under the age of six; solidifying look forward to the day when all of
My transition into academia is also our status as crazy within the culture of those who know Christ are joined
facilitating a general sense of routine Washington, DC. Even so, it is together and the days of distance and
and stability within our home. For wonderful! Ava, Ethan, and Olivia love separation are put to an end. Until that
those who do not know, I am serving a their new baby sister—though Ethan is day, praise God for His faithfulness to
two-year academic rotation at the sometimes not sure what all the fuss is our family and to yours!
National Defense University’s College about. The biggest challenge is not
of International Security Affairs. This encouraging the elder three to take
new position allows me more freedom notice of their youngest sibling, but is
to meet with church members and instead, teaching them that it is not ok “AND BE KIND TO ONE
friends during the day as well as return to pick up the baby when she cries. On ANOTHER, TENDER-HEARTED,
home at a decent hour ensuring more than one occasion, we have left FORGIVING EACH OTHER,
sufficient time with the kids before the room for some forgotten item only JUST AS GOD IN CHRIST
bedtime. Even with this easy schedule, I to return to see one of the older ALSO HAS FORGIVEN YOU.”
am tempted not to serve Tracy and the children attempting to lift Norah on to EPH. 4.32
children when I come home and to their lap—typically by her feet. For
reserve my energy instead for my own anyone from Child Protective Service
pursuits. Nevertheless, the Lord has who is somehow reading this letter
kindly grown me in this area and please understand that we have put a
occasionally shows me the joy that stop to this and everything is now
comes with laying down my life for the under control.
good of my home. Tracy, for her part, is I will refer you to Tracy’s previous
a model of service—constantly pouring comments for more on the kids except
herself out cooking meals, cleaning the this final thought: our children are a
home, changing diapers, preparing constant joy and, save only our love of
school work, and about 1 million other Christ and each other, they are the
things each day. In this, she is the most
 PHOTOS FROM THIS YEAR
PRAY ER REQUESTS Two Good Books
1. WISDOM FOR KLON AS HE I (Klon) recently completed Greg
LEADS & SERVES THE Gilbert’s What is the Gospel? and I can
FAMILY say without hesitation, it is one of the
most concise, complete, and compelling
2. STRENGTH & articulations of the good news I have
PERSEVERANCE FOR TRACY read. Greg—a friend and an Elder at
AS SHE CARES FOR OUR
our church before taking his own
FAMILY AND HOME
church in KY earlier this year—
3. THE SALVATION OF OUR demonstrates great pastoral care and
CHILDREN insight in explaining the essentials of the
gospel as well as helping readers
4. GROWTH IN GODLINESS,
thoughtfully discern between the
LOVE, & SERVICE
message of Christ and its implications.
5. BOLDNESS IN THE GOSPEL This book is a help to Christians in
& EVANGELISM
their evangelism and in reminding them
of God’s Grace. To the non-believer, this
book recounts the essential truths of
the Gospel so that they can have an
informed response to the Creator’s call
for repentance and faith.
I also recommend Kevin DeYoung’s Just
Do Something. If you’re anything like me,
you’ve had times in your life when you
have choices to make but feel paralyzed
looking for”God’s Will” in the situation.
Kevin does a great job of applying
Scripture to these situations and
encouraging followers of Christ to
employ biblical wisdom while trusting in
the Lord’s provision. Both of these
books are well-worth your time. Happy
reading!