We can’t believe it is already November! As I reflect back on this year I’d like to share three things: proudest moment, most humbling moment, surprise of the year.
- Proudest Moment: The top winner here is our professional development. This year came with a strong continuation of the previous year sessions per week average (25 each of us in 2022) to 24 sessions per week for me and 26 sessions per week for Tracy. Moreover, the addition of a Doctoral Ed.D in Marriage and Family Counseling from Liberty University (you can read the dissertation here), the addition of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and “Treating Affairs & Trauma: Helping Couples Heal & Rebuild Trust” (Gottman) has strengthened our approach and deepened our expertise. At a personal level, I’m super happy to read, reflect, and write biblical reflections now for 1,701 days unbroken. Every day I share these reflections via WhatsApp and if you’d like to receive these simply email me your phone number and I’ll add you.
- Most Humbling Moment: More than just a moment, it has been a season, parenting adult children. Our kids ages range from 16 to 21 years old, two live out of the house and three are with us. A combination of learning new skills of parenting emerging adults (yes, this is a new segment sandwiched between teenagers and adults), and internal challenges with public schooling, faith, gender, sexuality, and mental health has been a humbling experience for us. Like you, we too live real lives with real challenges, and we are committed to uphold love, truth, and family in the midst of these present challenges.
- Surprise of the Year: God’s faithfulness. It shouldn’t be a surprise, but these are the times in which God shows up in unexpected ways. Sometimes it is through conversations with friends, religious leaders/mentors, and sometimes it is through being reminded that God is good, powerful, and trustworthy. This year has be a doozy, and yet Tracy and I feel more connected than ever in the midst of uncertainty. Does it help we do our best to apply the tools we teach others? Yes, it helps and at the same time relying on faith has the added benefit of producing hope and endurance.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve and assist in your journey of personal development and/or relationship strengthening this 2023. As you reflect back on this year, we would love to hear about your moments. Whether proud, humbling, surprising or otherwise. You can email us directly at [email protected] and/or [email protected]
Peace,
– arturo
