Weekly column by Kaelyn Pfenning
It is interesting to travel down memory lane.
Entering a new decade, 2020, is a good time to reflect.
Back in May 2010, I graduated from North Greenville University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Print Media.
That fall, I moved about three hours south for my first full-time position.
I didn’t realize how much I missed watching football until Monday night.
My husband Brad’s dad invited us over to watch the Clemson-LSU championship game with him while Brad’s mom was traveling.
We debated since we were tired from work but decided to go.
Loss is difficult any time of the year, but especially at the holidays.
This year, a friend that I knew from when my parents served as missionaries in Gabon, Africa, passed away the day after Christmas.
That morning, I had just shared her journey with my family, and we prayed together.
Getting sick is never fun, especially around the holidays.
This most wonderful time of the year is supposed to be filled with love, joy, laughter and good times with family and friends.
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned.
"I wonder as I wander out under the sky / How Jesus my Saviour did come for to die / For poor on’ry people like you and like I…”
This song has stayed with me since the school Christmas production where we sang this song by Audrey Assad.
Early last week, as I put away my husband’s socks, I saw a jewelry box.
Brad, who was in the room with me, knew what I had seen and decided to give me the beautiful necklace early.
The delicate gold chain holds a heart made of tiny diamonds.
I am so very thankful for the family God has given me.
Brad and I spent Thanksgiving in Anderson, and we shared a meal of turkey, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and more.
During the meal, we shared our thankfulness to God; I am continually amazed at God’s provision.
Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday focused on sharing a meal with family.
When my family lived in Vermont, I remember visiting my dad’s family for a big meal.
We moved to South Carolina, and as the four of us children have gotten married, now we try to get as many of us together as are available for a shared meal.
Giving thanks is a good habit for everyone to develop regardless of stage of life, status in society and time of year.
In good times and hard days, remembering what we have been given rather than dwelling on what we do not have can uplift the heart, mind and spirit.
I am thankful for all that God has done in and through me.
On Sunday, our church celebrated with four fellow believers who publicly declared through baptism their being disciples of Jesus Christ.
Rejoicing with new followers is one of the great joys of walking with Christ, and I reflected back on my own journey.
In sharing my testimony, I have often gone back to my parents.
