Happy New Year!
It’s been a busy year for the Kislings! Just like all of you, we’ve had really good times, some challenging times, and everything in between. Through all of it, God has been faithful, and our hearts are full of gratitude. Please enjoy a little update on each member of our family!
Reid: Reid continues to work from home for the software company, Stellic. He loves what he does and who he works with. It’s great to see him happy in his work! On February 28th last year, he arrived in Dubai to attend a work retreat with all of his coworkers. Hours after he arrived from a 15 hour flight, he had a heart attack! He received excellent medical care, and excellent care from his company companions. It was quite a shock for me, as I woke up at 6 am that day to find a text from one of his coworkers saying that Reid was in the hospital and had had a heart attack but that he was doing fine and to call when I could. We immediately set plans in motion, and by Friday, I was on my way to Dubai. Reid was instructed not to fly for two weeks post hospital release, so I went to spend that time with him. Cameron was able to come from his camp in France and spent one of the weeks with us. We had many adventures, as Reid was able to and encouraged to be active for some time each day. We went to the Burj Khalifa, the world expo, the Museum of the Future, and to the local souks. We went on a desert safari too! Though it was unplanned, it turned out to be a fun adventure, even as Reid took time to recover.
In October, Reid went in for some follow up bloodwork after the heart attack, and discovered that he has a fairly aggressive form of prostate cancer. We are currently in the process of figuring out a treatment plan, which is turning out to be a longer process than we anticipated. But he is feeling fine and is in good spirits. We are trusting the Lord to work out all the details according to His perfect plan, His perfect timing. In his freetime, Reid enjoys reading, dreaming and planning our remodel (hopefully starting the project this year!), taking care of his tilapia farm, and enjoying the company of family, friends and church family.
Cameron: Cam continued his internship at Camp de Cimes in France through mid-August. He had a very good, though at times hard, experience. He came home in May, to attend his girlfriend Bria’s graduation, and to propose! (She said yes! ;) ) We got to spend a few days with him before he headed back to France to finish out his time there. In August, he moved into our house and readjusted to American life, started working as a substitute teacher and challenge course facilitator, and planned his and Bria’s wedding. He and Bria were married just a couple of weeks ago on January 7th. It was a beautiful wedding and we are excited to have another daughter in our family! Bria is a wonderful young lady and we love her very much. She graduated from Lipscomb University last Spring and started work as an ICU nurse at Salem hospital later in the summer. They have a cute apartment in Salem and are settling into their new place and married life. They both love to play boardgames, read books, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the outdoors.
Katie: Katie continued work on her master’s degree in counseling through August, then decided to take a break for a semester. She was feeling burned out after starting grad school so quickly after undergrad graduation. She continued to work as a shift lead at Ampersand Ice Cream shop until November, then transferred to a coffee shop called Kuppa Joy. She is enjoying her new job and loves working at a coffee place! She has continued to be involved with her church and is part of the worship team. Katie and Adam came home for Thanksgiving, with all the other kiddos, and while they were here, they got engaged! We are so excited for them! Adam is a godly young man and we love him!
Rosalie finished up her freshman year of online school at George Fox. Over the summer she continued her nanny job, worked at an art studio and worked at a winery. In the Fall, she was very happy to start her sophomore year of classes in person! She is living at home, and loving her interior design classes. She works at the art studio, and has also started her own Mary Kay business! She helps with Sunday School and worship team at church, and continues to connect with her friends from ACTS in Yakima. Rosalie had the opportunity to decorate for three weddings over the last several months and has really enjoyed that. She does a great job of it too! She is thriving and growing and we are super proud of the lovely young woman she is!
Natalie had her first college water polo season last Spring. She played well, and was a starter on the team! Over the summer, she nannied again, taught private swim lessons and worked at the same winery as Rosalie. She is in her sophomore year of elementary education studies at Fresno Pacific University, and is loving it. She has found a church she really loves. On top of her studies and water polo, she also swam for the swim team for most of the season, attends Delight Ministries weekly, and helps lead worship for campus events and chapel. Her faith has taken on new meaning for her and it shows. :) She exudes joy, and it delights our hearts. She traveled to Chicago for a week during Christmas break - her first big solo plane trip - to visit her long distance boyfriend, Caden, who she met this summer. Then Caden got to come spend a week with us for Cam and Bria’s wedding. We are enjoying getting to know him.
I am working ¾ full time at the George Fox Welcome and Information Center. I really enjoy my job and the people I work with! I started a new venture too! I decided to pursue a Master’s Degree at Kairos University. It’s all done remotely, which makes it possible. I am working on a certificate in Spiritual Direction, and will get to design my master’s program to fit my goals, probably something in the area of Mentoring and Women’s Ministry. That portion will start next Fall. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading and cooking yummy gluten free things. People and relationships are my passion, so regular conversations with the kids, coffee dates and dinners with friends, and our small group are super life giving for me.
We enjoyed several trips over the year. We traveled to LA and to Fresno to see Natalie play water polo and visit with Katie. Then of course there was the unexpected trip to Dubai. At the end of May we went camping in Eastern Oregon with my parents and brother Kevin. We visited the Painted Hills and went to a tiny country church. :) In July, we went to my Conn family reunion at the beach, and then we traveled to Colorado, where we met up with many families from our old church in Dallas for a week. People we haven’t connected with in 15 years all enjoyed fellowship, activities, hikes, and teaching together. It was truly wonderful and amazing, and a bit difficult to explain the bond we all felt. We were also able to visit a couple of national parks on the trip! At the end of August, Bria’s family invited us to go camping with their extended family. That was fun! In October we stayed at my older brother Mark’s (and Amy’s too!) cabin in Sun River and went pine cone hunting (to use for wedding decor).
We hope this (long… sorry!) letter finds you at peace. I was going to say “finds you well”, or “healthy and happy”. But so often that is just not our reality. As you read, we have been experiencing some pretty major health issues. While we could choose to worry and fret, we are choosing instead to trust God, and to live joyfully in the midst of the struggles. I pray whether things are good, or you are facing challenges, that God would give you peace and joy and strength in the year ahead, and that you would be able to “see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
With much love,
Carrie (for us all)
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