Merry Christmas family and friends! 2014 has been quite a year for Team Bartlett.
Let’s recap, shall we?
One year ago we were living in northwest Springfield. I had one semester left of grad school at Missouri State University. Brad was working at Southwest Baptist University as an admissions counselor. We were a part of the Freshwater Springfield church plant. I drove a 1992 Jeep and Brad drive a 2008 Chevy Aveo (lovingly named, “the blueberry”). We had no pets.
None of those things are true for us today.
Now we live in Kansas City, MO. I have my masters in Biology and I work at Viracor-IBT Laboratories. Brad is still an admissions counselor, but at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We attend Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, MO. I drive a 2011 Rav4 and Brad drives a 1999 Oldsmobile 88. We have a little dachshund-miniature pincher named Libby.
Many of you probably know our story, but let’s back up. (I’ll give you the brief rundown. If you want more details of our journey, check out my posts when we announced we were moving to KC, our move to KC, my graduation, and our new apartment.)
A year ago we knew that I was going to graduate soon and Brad wanted to go to seminary, but didn’t have much direction for what that was going to look like in reality. So we kept praying as we had been for God to open a door for our next step. That door came in February when Brad got an interview at Midwestern for an admissions job. Just a few weeks later he packed up and moved 3 hours north to start preparing a life for us in KC.
I remained in Springfield through May to finish my degree. I joined Brad in KC where we lived with my parents for the month of May while we looked for an apartment and I looked for a job. God graciously provided a great apartment for us and a position for me at Viracor-IBT. We moved in and I started my job at the beginning of June.
We’ve been settling into our new life in KC since June. We’ve found a great church and community group, made new friends, strengthened old friendships, and discovered some new favorite places to go and things to do.
Okay this is getting TLDR (too long, didn’t read). Let’s highlight the rest of the year with some pictures.
If you follow either of us on social media you’ve seen that we love our dog. If you’ve met her then you know that she is a sweetheart. She brings us lots of joy and cuddles.
We celebrated our 2 year anniversary in July! We saw The Sounds of Music at Starlight. I’m so thankful to get to live life with such a wonderful man.
We went to several Royals games this year! It was so much fun to cheer them on in October. It brought me back to all those years watching my brother Dylan play!
Brad started seminary this fall at Midwestern!
Actually this picture probably better depicts that statement. He just has one final left this week then he is one semester down! I am so proud of how well Brad has balanced working full time, taking a full class load, serving at church, and being a husband.
We ran a half marathon this year! We had so much fun training together and the race was a blast. It’s definitely one of my favorite accomplishments.
We still love coffee and Saturday brunching. (We still haven’t found a place we love as much as Gailey’s in Springfield, but Kate’s Kitchen is pretty great.)
Did I mention we got two new (to us) cars this year? I won’t tell our car saga but it’s a great story. I looooovvvveeeeee my new car! It makes me feel like I’m a real adult!
Last night Brad and I were at Crown Center here in KC for our annual visit to see the lights. In one of the stores I saw a sign that said, “Friends are what make a house a home”. A lot has happened to us this year, but I think when it comes down to it, the people in our lives have played the biggest role. There have been so many people that have impacted our story this year. I wish that I could mention every one of them here and the blessings they brought us.
Finally, we would not be where we are today without Christ. His faithfulness has stayed true throughout the highs and the lows of the last year. As we look back, we can see His fingerprints on every circumstance that led us to today. May you and your family rest in the truth of His birth this Christmas season.
Come thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
One Little Bird Blog 