A Virtual Christmas Card

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

We have so much to be thankful for in 2013.  As the year comes to a close and we begin celebrating the birth of our savior, I can't help but stand in awe of His goodness to us.  2013 has not been an easy year for our family, but we can't ignore the miraculous ways God has worked through some major trials.  The beginning of the year started out strong. My salon, Anointed Beauty, was thriving and it had been a profitable season for Josh as well.  We were able to get our kids back into private school, as homeschooling is just not my calling right now, as much as I wish it could be!

At the end of last year, our church brought Josh's internship full time and he moved his office to the church, and in March, Josh was ordained into the ministry of Christ.  We were so blessed to have our childhood pastor come deliver the message to Josh at his ordination.  Pastor Alex Konya and his wife Pam were in town from their mission field in Hungary, and it was an honor and absolute joy that they were able to spend this time with us and be an integral part of Josh's ordination.  It's only fitting, since they were an integral part in both of our calling to ministry when we were just kids.

After years of health issues, surgeries, blood work, and other tests, I was diagnosed 2 years ago with Fibromyalgia and began searching for treatment options.  I am still working to disprove this diagnosis!  One of the areas that flared up more than everything else was my shoulder.  There were days that it locked up so tight, I felt like I was breaking it when I forced it to move so I could work.  After finally talking to my doctor about it, he ordered an MRI and a consultation with a surgeon.  He discovered a tear, a cyst in the joint, drastic thinning of the cushion lining that surrounds the joint, and some other minor things.  Thankfully, the surgeon was not quick to cut and suggested that I try physical therapy first.  Good thing too, since surgery is out of the question financially!  I went through 8 sessions of therapy.  It didn't fix the problem, but it taught me some exercises I can do to make the arm usable and get through the pain.

This year, with great joy and excitement, Josh was able to start his martial arts ministry back up!  He has classes on Tuesday nights at the church and classes have been consistently  full.  The kids go with him and are working hard to get through the ranks .  He gives a devotional and shares the gospel each week and has already seen God at work in peoples lives.

Several factors, including my health and some very clear direction from the Lord, led me to make the heart wrenching decision to close down my salon in June and go back to booth renting at Cheveux.  Owning a salon is one of my greatest heart's desire, so you can imagine how hard it has been for me to give that up for now.  It was a fairly smooth transition, and despite the fact that this has been one of my slowest seasons I am still convinced that I am right where God wants me.

Also in June, we did something we have never done before!  We hosted a foreign exchange student in our tiny home!  Peter gave up his bed for a month so that Alberto could come from Spain to join our family.  He is a 14 year old boy that fit quite well into our family.  He enjoys outdoor sports, video games, and is a certified chocolate addict.  I think his favorite thing at our house was when I made brownies.  He would have eaten warm brownies and ice cream for every meal if we let him!  We just loved Alberto and still keep in touch.

Well, one week before Alberto left, on my final day of physical therapy, we had the crisis of the year.  If you read our blog, you know all about our Bethany's accident at the pool.  She nearly lost 4 of her adult teeth in that accident.  We are still going to follow up appointments to keep an eye on her teeth.  I will not rehash the story here, you can go back and read about it if you missed it.  I will say, that she is doing fantastic!  We were unable to take a family vacation this year, but we did do a few small trips nearby.  She was cleared by the doctor to eat soft foods on the morning we left for our trips.  She was very grateful to be done with her liquid diet!  When she went back to school in August, she was not allowed to play at recess and we were not sure that she would be able to play volleyball or clarinet, both of which she had been looking forward to all summer.  Well, by God's healing hand, she got to do both!  The surgeon and orthodontist agree that there is a 99% chance that all four teeth will need root canals within the next 3 years.  So now we wait and watch the teeth and pray that she is in the 1% that never needs the root canals.  In the meantime, we give thanks to God who is the great physician!

Peter started a new chapter in his life in August.  He entered the world of Junior High!  I still can't believe I have a 7th grader who is about to be 13!  Wanting to please his mother who has always wanted to be a soccer mom, Peter joined the soccer team at Community Baptist.  At first, he hated it because he couldn't keep up with the other kids and he had no previous training.  We are so proud of how much he improved in such a short time.  By the end of the season, he was getting aggressive and had some great ball handling skills!  I made sure he knew that I would be fine if he never wants to play again, but I have a feeling he might have actually enjoyed it.

Don't ask... I'm not really sure!

Our little Chloe is not so little anymore.  In a couple of weeks, we will be celebrating her 10th birthday already!  She's too young for sports and band, and praise the Lord, has not had any major incidents this year!  She continues to keep our family entertained with her bubbling personality and loving spirit.  If her older siblings are any indication, this next year will be one of many changes and growth for her.... I don't think I'm ready!  For now, she's enjoying the 4th grade and is anxiously awaiting her birthday.

2013 has also been a year of continued waiting for us.  Josh completed his schooling at Oklahoma Baptist last year, and is now working on his Master's at Southern Seminary.  We have resumes out all over the country and are ready to move as soon as God says "Go".  In the meantime, we continue to joyfully serve at South Side Baptist with Josh still leading the youth, and myself running the ladies ministry.

As you shop, bake, wrap presents, and travel to be with loved ones, make sure you take some time to reflect on all God has done for you this year!  Make sure you are right with Him, and don't forget that He gave the ultimate gift in His son Jesus Christ.  It is only through Christ that we can enjoy a relationship with God.  If He is your savior, let this season remind you of your joy.  Don't let it cause stress that will overshadow the real reason of Christmas.

We greatly appreciate those of you who uphold us in prayer!  There are a few ways that you can pray for us in the coming year.  Please pray for health in our household, specifically for continued healing for Bethany and for more good days than bad for myself.  You can pray for the church that we will be called to one day.  Pray for the people in that church to be blessed and pray for us to be prepared for the task that God would have for us.  Please, also pray for God's continued provision on our finances.  With again rising medical debt and declining income, we are blessed beyond measure at how God has provided this year!  Pray for decisions that will likely be coming in order to be faithful stewards.  Pray for wisdom and guidance along each step of the way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your love and support!!
THE GOEPFRICH FAMILY
Joshua, Melissa, Peter, Bethany, and Chloe

Saying Goodbye

Today was a bittersweet day for our family as we said goodbye to some very dear friends.  For the last 6 years, we have worked side by side in youth ministry with John and Stephanie.  We've laughed together, served together, prayed together, and cried together.  Our kids have all grown to love each other like siblings over the years.  Today, they headed out for a new adventure as John has taken a Youth Pastor position in Southern Indiana.  We kept the kids out of school so they could be with us as we packed them up, loaded the trucks, and watched them leave.  I'm so glad we made the decision to let the kids be there.  It was really good for all of us to have one more day together and to have those final moments to hold on to.  With a time of prayer, hugs, and just a few tears we sent them off for the next task God has for this beautiful family.  Please keep them in your prayers as they adjust to their new home and ministry.