2025 has been a year for the books! When I selected my word for the year as TIME, I could little have imagined at how many special memories would be packed into this joyous year! Below is a small capturing and reflection of the times this year that will be for lack of a better word…Timeless!
1) TIMELY Engagement — If I will remember nothing else from 2025 it will be that on the Feast of Christ the King of the Universe, Gabs Dierenfeldt and I became engaged!! For some this has been a dragged out process…for us the timing could not have been more perfect! Marking the end of the liturgical year we committed to a new season in our lives crowned beneath the calling to keep our relationship and our future domestic church centered on Christ our King! Our place of engagement was the same place we took our first picnic back in 2023 at Carnahan Creek Park along the shores of Tuttle Creek Lake! The cherry on top? — Gabs had no idea and was genuinely surprised, she suspected a completely different date! 😉
2) Transitional TIMES — The second theme of 2025 could also be described as a time of transition…and a HUGE one at that. I concluded my time at USD 384 – Blue Valley after starting my educational career there back in Fall of 2014! It feels like so long ago and honestly a lot has taken shape in that 11 years there at BV! It was a special place whose memories I will cherish all the days of my life and continue to draw wisdom from my experiences there with great co-workers, friends, and families. Starting the next chapter of my professional journey as the KS Ag Ed Consultant and KS FFA Advisor this year has been a phenomenal experience so far and I count my blessings each day that I listened to the nudging to apply!
3) UNTIMED Surprises — Our dairy cow (yeah you read that right), Faith, had her baby, Pixie Dust…to say the least this was a surprise! We had tried six different times over the last two years to get her bred with multiple disappointments. We had pretty much given up and were relented to the fact that she was most likely a freemartin and would never calve. Then, to our ecstatic surprise we came out for chores in October and found her with a little baby calf! We may never know why the timing of certain things happen one way or another, but we can be assured that this untimed surprise was perfectly timed!
4) TIMELIEST Adventures — This was Gabs and I’s first year launching our first-line of Scripture Soaps™️! We were nervous about keeping the release schedule, we had concerns about making products that actually appealed to possible customers AND most of all we prayed that our soaps would help others in their walk with Christ. We were utterly blown away at the response! Throughout the year during our monthly releases we got great feedback and continued to hone our products and craft. The goal was to go to two craft fairs this year — we were so successful at those first two fairs we got a special invitation to an exclusive fair where we would be one of only three or four vendors. By the end of that last fair and with a special family Christmas order, we had SOLD OUT of all our Scripture Soaps™️! We may not have felt ready to start selling, we were ready to make excuses as to why we needed more time or one more year before we could launch our Scripture Soaps™️. I’m glad we said YES to going ahead this year, I’m glad we said in your TIME Lord, not our own and having Mustard Seeds of Faith!
5) Drive TIME — I’ve been very spoiled the last few years living so close to the school I worked at. One of the biggest adjustments I thought I would have in my new job was the commute. It is a little under an hour to drive between Manhattan and Topeka each way, but what I thought would be a pain, has turned into a secret blessing! Not only do I have time to catchup with friends and family on my drive by phone, I also have quality thinking time on the commute, but the best part has been the daily morning drive with Fr. Schmitz! I started his podcast Catechism in a Year, as it was my goal to deepen my walk of Faith with Christ. It was an incredible journey and no matter your Faith journey I cannot recommend this rich resource enough! This morning I finished Episode 365 and am now preparing my plans for what this year’s Drive Time can be each morning to continue digging in and enriching my soul with the fruits of faith.
Again, thank you to each and everyone of you who have been a part of such a special year with Gabs and I!! We are excited to ring in a New Year and I’ll share my new Word of the Year this week! Have a blessed and safe holidays my dear friends!
Perennial Educator 