We’ve almost made it one year here in Colorado. This time last year, this is what we were doing:
Just some favorites!
This last year has been amazing, and we have gone places, literally, that we never really thought we would go. It has been so incredibly, fun, hard, hilarious, and challenging, but I know for a fact that neither of us would trade it for any other experience.
We moved to Colorado
Into our friends basement
Went on our first snowboarding trip
Got a job!
Went to our first bierhouse
Met our amazing church community
Had our first guests surprise me for my birthday!
Moved into our very own apartment
Celebrated Jacob’s birthday with the best of friends… and beer
Went to Oklahoma for our Family Reunion
Had my parents come back for a visit
Traveled to Tulsa for our cousins wedding/another reunion
Then made our way to Texas for 2 more weddings, plus some of our favorite coffee
Back again to Colorado and had yet again another visitor who tried to steal my husband
Enjoyed summer run club with our crazy friends
Rob moved to Colorado!
More beer
And friends
Celebrated our 2 year anniversary by going back to Aspen
And almost died on the way back
Took Rachel’s Zumba class and looked like a fool
More Birthday parties
Finally got Jacob to dress up for Halloween
Ran our own Turkey Trot
Then stuffed ourselves on Thanksgiving, with many good friends
Odd conversation
And joy in (most of) our hearts
Jacob took his friends running up mountains, like a champ
Last visitors of 2014! Took them to the best brunch around
Made my first Kugel and introduced Hanukkah to our Colorado family
Got in the Christmas spirit
Wore matching PJ’s
Spent Christmas Eve dating my husband
FaceTimed our family on Christmas morning
Relaxed and ate all Christmas day
And for that last two days, we watched it snow, drop into the negatives, and sat inside next to the fire while watching Fantasy Factory
I don’t think I realized how much we actually did this year!
Yesterday, Jake and I were thinking about this year; it’s comparison to other years and where we could be if we didn’t follow this dream. Living in Colorado is expensive, cold, dry, different, uncomfortable, slightly lonesome, and spiritually challenging. Yet, through all of that God has met us in each of those situations and truly exceeded them and expanded our tents. I’ve always said that I never want to put God in a box. Every moment He has the chance, He proves me wrong, expanding my borders and even breaks parts of my square down to what’s probably an ‘L’ shape by now. It’s hard to see what you’ve known come apart, but amazing to see what’s ahead of that.
What I’m trying to say, is that we love Colorado, and maybe not even so much this state, but where God has taken us: up mountains, through passes, in the homes of our best friends, into amazing relationships, leadership positions, marital challenges and victories, and mostly into a place we’ve never been with God.
Seriously, what an amazing year. Thank you, to all of our friends and family who have so selflessly supported us financially and emotionally so that we could be where we are now.
Next year, there is even more to look forward to — its going to be busy, but with even more victories that we are believing for!
Breaking into new spiritual ground
Deeper and more intentional relationships
Financial intelligence and debt elimination
Just to name a few…
Also we may see you in Texas/Oklahoma in the next year to support > > >
Brittany & Matty
Cameron & Alex
Lauren & Faustin
Who knows, there might be more!
We are so excited to see our family and friends in the next couple of months, we’ve missed you and hope that your NYE is amazing: playing games, like I know you will, probably having a dance party, trying to not fall asleep like Papa, all waiting for the ball to drop. Happy New Year’s everyone, we will see you soon!
Jacob & Rachel
NeumannsGOtoCO 