With thankful hearts, we share a brief update, quickly traveling through each month of the past year. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
January – Starting off the year with a life highlight for our entire family, we met little Autumn, our first grandchild/niece. (Our family has now grown to 13 in number!) It was a first for everyone in some way or another. Our whole crew was together to begin the new year. On our last evening together, we sat in a circle and sang, “He Will Hold Me Fast,” and what a precious and unforgettable way to begin a new year.
February – We have enjoyed seeing the Lord bless our little church here in Central Illinois. We are continually amazed at all that God is doing through this body of believers who quietly and faithfully serve the Lord in such a variety of ways. In February we enjoyed having a fun church Valentine Dinner.
March – Olivia and Annalise finished out their first season of volleyball on their school team. At the end of the season Olivia received the “Never Quit” award, and Annalise received the “Most Improved” award.
April – April is one of our quieter months of the year since the kiddos usually do not participate in spring sports. Toby and Micah were both chosen to be in the school spelling bee at St. John’s, which was a new experience for all of us. (The school gymnasium had never been so quiet as when waiting for a child to complete their spelling word 🙂)
May – Steve flew out to South Carolina to be present for Joshua’s graduation from Bob Jones University. Joshua completed his Master’s Degree in Communications, and accepted a teaching position at Faith Christian School in Lafayette, IN.
Meanwhile… back at home, Toby, Olivia, Annalise and Micah took part in their school musical, “Rockin’ Around the 50’s.” It was quite memorable and a lot of fun! Toby and Olivia both took a leading role which was a great experience for them.
June – Sam and Toby were able to attend a Jeff Trickey quarterback camp in southern Illinois. This had been highly encouraged by their coaches. They attended sessions on leadership, as well as worked on their skills.
July – One of the highlights of our year was traveling out to North Carolina for a family gathering at a special place called “Canaanland.” Our fourth time staying there added many new and precious memories, as we gathered with our crew and some of Steve’s side of the family. Activities of the week included hiking to waterfalls, playing many games, riding the “Bubba Bear” (an old military vehicle) up the mountain over some exceedingly rough terrain, taking a boat ride on Lake Toxaway, and a sunset hike up to “High Bethel.”
August – This month was truly a turning point for Jennifer. The new school year began and, after 20 years of homeschooling… she was not homeschooling anyone. Olivia, Annalise and Micah headed back to St. John’s (where they had attended the previous year), a private school located in a little town right next to ours. Sam and Toby began at our local public high school as a junior and freshman, respectively. Our intention had been to homeschool the older boys, but God changed our direction over the summer. We are grateful for how well each child is doing, and have been very encouraged by some prevalent Christian leadership among the students at our local public school.
September – A highlight of the year for Jennifer and the boys was attending an L.A. Rams game (our family team) in Nashville at the Titan’s Nissan Stadium! Ethan travelled over from South Carolina, and they spent a memorable day in Nashville.
A welcome (and much needed) improvement to our little house this year was the addition of a second bathroom. We are grateful for Ben McEndarfer, an extended family member, who did a terrific job getting it done quickly and efficiently. He had recently started a handy-man business, and we were thrilled to be one of his first customers.
October – We successfully crossed the finish line of 34 football games(!) which began in August, and concluded at the end of October. We thank the Lord for no injuries. Sam was starting quarterback on the Varsity team, Toby was starting quarterback for both the JV and Freshman teams, and Micah played receiver, tight-end, and running back on the “Mighty Mites.” The Mighty Mites made it all the way to the championship game, and although they did not win the championship, excitement was high for the whole community. A great way for Micah’s first football season to end!
November – We took advantage of the last warm spell of fall, and spent a family day at Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. This remarkable hiking experience right here in the midwest was enhanced by the brisk fall air and golden leaves. (I know that sounds like an AI sentence, but it really was not 😄) Our noisy crew enjoyed it in their typical noisy way, and one hiker walking past remarked, “I thought I heard a pack of wolves down here!”
Basketball season began, and while Sam suffered no injuries as starting quarterback for the Varsity football team, he sadly ended up with a broken leg in the last two minutes of the first JV basketball game of the season. Fortunately, it is projected to heal quickly (it was his fibula, a non-weight bearing bone in the back of the leg), and he may still get in some playing time at the end of the season.
December – Episode 41 of our podcast, The BC Messenger, released this month. It is hard to believe we have been here working in communications for Aardsma Research and Publishing for six years now, and we are thankful for the growth we have seen. Both Steve and Jennifer continue to work part-time in marketing and communications for this important Bible/science research effort.
Wrapping it up…
Of course these are just highlights and milestones of our year. We don’t as readily list our struggles and heartaches (or those of our loved ones) on a Christmas update, even though they are very real and present in our lives, as we know they also are in your life. The more we grow and progress in life, sometimes it seems the more questions we have. As one seasoned saint said, “My entire Bible is full of question marks.”
God gives strength to keep moving forward in spite of all those question marks, because underneath it ALL is a deep, unwavering assurance, that no matter what we face, “He will hold me fast.”
When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast,
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold, through life’s fearful path.
For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast.
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast,
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast.
Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost, His promises shall last.
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast,
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.
For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast.
Justice has been satisfied, He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast.
‘Til our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast,
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.
“He Will Hold Me Fast” by Ada R. Habershon
The assurance with which we began the year still holds true, here at the end.
Underneath are the everlasting arms. God’s blessings to you in 2026, from our home to yours.
Discover more from Steve Hall
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Steve Hall 