James and Elizabeth Heikoop: Our Christmas Letter and Pictures 2015

December 2015

Dear friends and family,

Merry Christmas and welcome to 2016! It’s another year in review. Time to look for the dramatic, highlights of our last 365 days- and put it all in a letter for people to enjoy and throw out. (At least I hope you throw it out – after you’ve read it – we don’t want clutter!) We can usually fit all of the dramatic news in 8.5x11 sheet, because usually life is more full of the normal daily stuff. And if it’s not, well, in a sense we all envy you, and yet, are glad we’re not you. You can only take so much excitement!

As a mom of littles, there is often more routine work than exciting jobs. It’s full of diaper & clothing changes, picking up things, bed making, picking up more things, feeding people, schooling, remembering what you forgot yesterday, feeding them again, (I can’t believe how much little people eat!) and doing it over and over. Sometimes I really don’t like it, but I’m learning to love it more and more. Because, honestly, God is in the mundane just as much as the amazing

It’s a strange thought – that when we are living for God, we usually think that the great things- the growing things- they happen in the dramatic moments. Like on the mission trips, the trip across the world, the church work, or at the outreach after work. And yes, these are awesome times and God is moving mightily in them, and for some life is more dramatic. But, for the general people, life is mostly full of the usual stuff that makes up life. I was getting frustrated with what I’m doing in this season of life, when I heard this thought – “God is in the mundane”. And if God isn’t in the mundane, and if He doesn’t enter into that mundane, He can’t be an All-Seeing, All Powerful God. He really cares about the normal bitty, and often it’s the gritty stuff. Only our great God gets involved with everything and cares about it all. And yet, He has to be in charge of it.

“If God doesn’t rule your mundane, then he doesn’t rule you. Because that’s where you live.” – Paul Tripp

And that is so encouraging to me. He sees, and He is there. And really, He has shown that to me over and over again this past year. He hears the silliest prayers that I’ve prayed, and has answered them again and again. Like letting the sun shine for a photoshoot in bad weather, sending someone to help when I was sick and didn’t know who could be free to help, providing the necessary things needed in life, and giving hope and grace when I didn’t think I could make it anymore. He is there. And faithful. When we let Him control our daily life, He makes it good and worth the living.

In the middle of the normal life, we did have some extra momentous times… like taking a weekend vacation with our own family to a hotel with a pool, and then to a kid’s park the next day – the Heikoop Get together at a 4 day cottage vacation, having a couple weddings in the family – Tim to Lannette Bye in January – and William to Amanda Daae in Regina, Saskatchewan in April. We got to make the first drive out west with the kids for the wedding –bringing a few nephews to make the trip way more fun and doable! (I even got to see a few of my family members at the wedding which was great).

My sister Charissa, was in a crazy car accident in February, and 9 months later she’s all recovered, – but it was definitely a scary time. So thankful God spared her life. One of the most heartbreaking parts of our year was in June, when James’ brother Ben and his wife Deanna, lost their stillborn baby boy at 37 weeks. Asher Enoch went right to glory, and we grieve deeply, but not without hope.

We also got to see James’ brother Mark get engaged to a sweet gal who serves in Zambia as a nurse and midwife, and look forward to their wedding in April! My parents came for a week in October which was really special. We went to a County Fair, and Dad helped us fix our shed and a bunch of other things, while mom helped me with the kiddo’s. Having both sides of grandparents give a godly legacy and invest in our children is a real undeserved blessing.

Katelyn (6) – is my grade one student. I can’t believe we’re really doing this homeschooling thing, and so far it’s going well. She is bright and eager, definitely making my job easier and I like teaching way more than I thought I would, at least 4 months in! She’s lost two teeth, reading well, & began music lessons with Music for Young Children-and loving it.

Erik (4) - is Mr. Logistics. He is all boy, and helping me figure out how the schedules and plans should go. His words surprise me as he uses them correctly in context. Erik and Katy began doing Gymnastics with a homeschool group we’re with, once a week, and they love it. He is still about tractors, gators, quads and motorcycles. Right now, his choice of vocation is to be a forklift driver.

Laura (3) - our little Sunshine. She is such a serving girl, and alert to other’s needs. She calls little Amy her best friend, and they have fun playing together. She wants to please others, even while at times trying to bury her own hurt or sadness. She’s got the best giggle ever, and knows how to be diplomatic to (hopefully) get a desired outcome.

Amy (2 in March) – is the busy little thing that has learned to state her mind, climb out of cribs, and trying to do everything the others do. I’ve never had such a little person that -at just over a year-was climbing monkey bars like the bigger kids –other parents at the park must think I’m a bit whacked, but yes, I do stay beside her and watch. J She loves babies, and will be a great “help” in March! Yes, baby #5 (“little Who”) is coming soon, and we are so excited. I love seeing how happy all the kids are and now, I’ve got a few helpers to hold and love this baby. We had lost a little one very early on in March, and are always thankful that God has given life again – and we never know for how long.

Us two - Life is full, and I love it. Getting to share it with James is such an awesome mercy– and yes, it’s full of routine, and normalness. I’ve continued to do more photoshoots this year, homeschooling and such. James is still working in sales at Whitebird, and I love seeing his creativity in figuring out packaging solutions for different companies. He continues to be an amazing dad and husband – making life so much more fun for us. J We both continued to be love and be encouraged by the body of believers we’re a part of here in Brantford. Our church family means a lot to us!

May you be blessed this year to see Jesus Christ more and more, not only in the big awesome things He performs, but yes, even in the most mundane.

For He is Lord of all.

With love, James, Liz and family

So we tried to take our own pictures with a remote alone, but it didn't quite work - but they are fun out takes, that still make laugh... like with Katie changing her facial expressions everytime the shutter clicked, but we had no idea...