Reflections on 2008...

Kaylee and I would like to wish a Happy New Year to all our friends and family. 2008 has been a year of trials and victories. I have never taken the time to write such a reflection piece, but I was sitting here at my desk this morning thinking about all the things that transpired and wishing I could go back and relive some moments and take others back. Pardon me if this doesn't get too spiritual, I am sure there will be those parts woven throughout this. January kicked off my new career in sales. I started at Lighting Group Northwest in Seattle. This was a big change for me since I had spent all of my career in the construction industry. I also would now be commuting to Seattle daily. However, the world of outside sales would free up my time and not lock me in an office eight hours a day. It has been an interesting year to say the least. I have learned a lot and am waiting to see what happens. Kaylee remained employed as the High School supervisor at South Sound Christian Academy. She had a wonderful spring semester, and a much enjoyed summer vacation. Her fall has been very eventful and she continues to give herself 110% into helping kids excel in education. January was pretty much un-eventful as the year began, but that would soon change. February kicked off with our final semester of Purpose Institute. I taught a half class as a substitute teacher. I did not have the time this year to devote to teaching a full class. March brought was WA District Youth Convention. Both Kaylee and I were involved with the music. Kaylee did a fabulous job organizing all of that and we got home absolutely exhausted as always. Bishop Schoonover celebrated his 50th Birthday on the exact same day as my mother, I was in Los Angeles, CA and was not in Attendance for Bishop's party, but did make the 3 hour drive to surprise my Mom on her 50th. It was a fabulous occasion. The end of March was marked by a visit to our city by the Tim Downs Family. Their ministry of reaching out blessed our church and after 3 days of passing out invitations at 1:00 a.m. we were wore out. April brought more fun events with Kaylee and I celebrating our third wedding anniversary. We didn't do a whole lot and you will find out why when I get to June. The NLPC choir sang the last night of Spring Conference and that was the only big event that April brought. I started off the first weeknd of May at a Men's camping trip in Yakima, WA. We had a great time on the first day, then the secnd day it rained like there was no tomorrow. I preached the second weekend of the month at a youth rally hosted by our daughter congregation in Wapato, WA. The fourth weekend of May brought Manna-Fest to Wapato, WA. This again proved to be a life changing experience for me. We kicked off June by taking an Anniversary trip to Cancun, Mexico. Kaylee and I traveled with Laurin and Caleb and we spent five days relaxing and having a great time. I preached the last weekend of the month in Ellensburg, Wa and we took the entire youth group to that event, then stayed the night at my parents house with some kids. We had a great time. We spent the Fourth of July with my family. We drove around and saw Fireworks lat that night and just kicked it the rest of the weekend. Rob Greene, Kaylee, Laurin, Caleb, Tara and myself did music for the last night of Summer conference. This was a ton of fun, and we had a hoe down during altar call. August began with a visit from the Garcias! It was a busy weekend, as we were also involved in a muli-congregation service in Yakima that same weekend. Eli ministered both on Saturday in that meeting and also on Sunday back in Puyallup. We had a very enjoyable weekend and were sad to see them go. Kaylee was again gone for two straight weeks to Youth Camp and Women's Conference. I got to spend a day or two with her at Youth Camp. I preached during the day on Wednesday and drove back Thursday night to be with her. We ended the month with the SFC Softball tournament. It was a short day as we won a game and lost two! September started with a adventure into the wilderness and a 4 day preaching engagement in Stehekin, WA. My Dad, Bishop Schoonver and Kaylee were all together on this trip. This was a really cool experience as we had never all been in the same meeting together. The Garcias came back for a visit in September and we all trudged in the rain down to the Puyallup Fair to hear Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith in concert. We all got the H.G. and really wet from all the rain fall. the next weekend we traveled to Spokane to hear the experience the ministry of Sam Emory. We took the entire youth group and this was the road trip of the year. October was birthday month for me and also marked the starting point for Kaylee and I in our process of becoming home owners. Bishop Schoonover took and extended vacation through October and so I was given over-sight of the congregation through most of October into November. We began moving Friday afternoon on October 31, we finished about 2:00 a.m. November 1. November started crazy for me. I had one of the most humiliating experiences of my life. We were scheduled to preach a revival Nov 1-2 in Ellensburg, WA. Long story short, after moving all day and night Friday, I barely crawled out of bed on Saturday. At 2:00 we were leaving Puyallup when the pastor's wife called and said, "Are you still coming?" I responded joyfully that I was on my way. It went down hill from there. She said, "service starts at 2:00p.m." My heart sank. I was still nearly two hours away. They waited we got their late and God moved. What a way to end a week and start a month. The second weekend was Youth Emphasis weekend. This was hosted in Wapato, WA. Third weekend I traveled to Minnestoa and Nebraska for work, upon returning we joined the Garcias in Lincoln City, OR for a small vacation. I preached the fourth weekend in Spokane at Youth Summitt. By the time Thanksgiving came around I was ready to relax. We spent the Holiday in Yakima, WA with my family. December was alomost quiet compared to the rest of the year. We enoyed Christmas at the Schoonover's and Kaylee and I settled into our new home nicely. Hopefully at some point I can post some pics of this years events.

Blessings and Love to all.

Nick and Kaylee