But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
Merry Christmas from the Boaz family! Thank you for your friendship and for taking the time to read about our year.
The Boaz kids are growing way too fast!
Abby started 1st grade this fall and is in full-time school now! She loves learning, and often comes home and gathers school supplies so she can teach her own imaginary class. She is blooming in reading and loves math and music class. She also started piano lessons this fall and is getting ready for her first recital. She is a bundle of enthusiasm for everything she gets to try, including ski lessons this January. Her princess tiara is still her favorite accessory!
Ezra is growing and learning in 2nd grade. He's still an enthusiast of all things outdoors - he got to go on several camping and backpacking trips this summer, tried skiing for the first time in January, and he keeps notebooks full of hand-drawn maps, stories, and sketches of his outdoor adventures. He loves reading, art class, and is doing great with piano lessons starting this fall.
Johnathan is now in 6th grade, and his last year in elementary school brings all sorts of opportunities to be a leader at school, including being a buddy and pledge leader to younger kids and volunteering at the school library. He continues to love reading, creating things of all sorts, and being a part of the youth group at church with wonderful friends. He earned the badge for being the first Boaz kid with a broken bone when he broke his pinky finger during a recess game of tag this year!
Naomi is in 8th grade this year and loves the opportunities she has at school to learn and sing in the choir. Her class went to Mountain Lab for a few days this fall to learn all kinds of interesting outdoors skills, and both she and Rachel had fun doing that together since Mom got to go as a chaperone. She also tried skiing in January and caught on really well for her first time!
This has been a year of big changes for Kevin and Rachel, too. (And we finally conquered the Incline trail together - here's a picture for proof!)
This spring marked Kevin's second year of teaching PE part-time at The Classical Academy while planting Incline Church. But as of this this summer he stopped teaching and is now full-time with Incline. The church changed locations in May to another elementary school down the road, and it just so happens to be the school where Kevin and Rachel met 18 years ago when they were teachers!
Its been a good move for the church, and we've been thankful for the opportunity to connect with families in that neighborhood and partner with the school to meet there, host parties in the park, and serve the teachers there. Incline also commissioned our first elders, and we're so grateful for the families who've partnered with Incline to continue the journey toward becoming an established church.
With all four of the kids in full-time school this year, Rachel has entered a new season as well. This fall she's keeping busy with carpooling, starting a women's discipleship group that meets in our home, and she's also dipping her toes back in the teaching pool by doing some substitute teaching at the kids' elementary school. She's dusting off her classroom management skills and learning a lot!
When we reflect on the year, full of blessings that have stretched us and caused us to grow closer in dependence on our Savior, it reminds us that "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:6). We pray that your year is full of reminders of His goodness and mercy as well.
With love,
Kevin, Rachel, Naomi, Johnathan, Ezra and Abigail
