“I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) has been the theme for the
Autry’s this year.
The year started with John deploying
to Afghanistan with the Army. We had to learn how to remain close as a family
even though we were thousands of miles away. Thankfully modern day technology
was very helpful in this regard and almost every day we were able to video chat
and pray together as a family. While John was away the girls got to spend some
amazing time with family and friends in Georgia. We also took the opportunity
to play tourist in Atlanta and were able to go to Medieval Times, the Coca Cola
factory (Celia’s favorite), the Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain, Cabbage Patch
land, the Atlanta Zoo, and go tubing in Helen. We loved our time in Georgia. One
of our favorite days was spent in the temple with some of the Drummond family.
John kept busy in Afghanistan helping clean
mortuary affairs and helping set up a cross fit area for his unit as well as his
usual job duties as a flight paramedic. It was a challenging and rewarding
experience that he will remember forever. He came home at the beginning of
August in order to do more training to help further his career in the Army. It
was great to have him home before and after the training. John was very glad
that he got some bonding time with his brother Chris because of our move to
Texas. We are so grateful Chris was nice enough to drive with him from Georgia
to Pennsylvania to load up our storage unit and then drive all the way to Texas
after that. (Did I mention that we didn’t have the key to the storage unit and
they had to pick the lock? Oops, we still haven’t found that key)
In addition to being able to
spend time with Chris, we also got to go spend a weekend in Iowa with John’s
twin brother Daniel and his family. We had such a fun time hanging out with
them and were so grateful for the visit. It had been far too long since we last
saw them. On the way back we were able to stop in and see our friends the
Wagner’s and we enjoyed our night with them. John and Jennifer were able to
have a few days together in a cabin in north Georgia. It was very nice and much
needed time together. A mistake was made and our cabin ended up much bigger
than expected so Celia and Reese joined us for the last night in the cabin. We
played pool, enjoyed the hot tub and spent some time in Helen – a little tourist
town in North Georgia that is built to look like a German town.
This year Jennifer started
school again through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint’s Pathways
program. She relied heavily on the strength of Christ to be able to do school
work in the middle of the move and with many other aspects of life. In her
spare time she has been actively working on writing and is excited for her
latest book, “Strong in the Faith: Inspirational Latter Day Saints.”
Celia has been working hard in
school and loved playing volleyball for a recreational league. Celia really
enjoyed being able to attend girls camp and going to the temple a few times
this year. She loves animals and takes very good care of her two guinea pigs. Her
favorite part of the year was this last week when we got a new puppy, Rae (a
Chihuahua Pekingese mix). She plans on becoming a veterinarian.
Reese loved doing gymnastics in
Georgia and looks forward to doing it again next year. She worked hard and can
do the splits and a one handed cartwheels, both of which she will perform for
anyone interested. She enjoyed being at the same school and even in the same
class as her cousin, Lexi, while in Georgia. She misses her and other family
and friends since our move. However, she is making friends and enjoying her new
school already. She is also very excited about our new dog.
This year had its ups and downs
for us as I am sure it did for all our family and friends. During the hard
times we were reminded of the grace of God and it helped. At this time of year
and always we are grateful for Christ’s life and example and the hope He brings into our lives. May His hope fill
your lives with peace and remind you of all the good in the world.
Thank you for being a part of
our chosen family. We wish you all the best in the New Year and a very
Merry Christmas!!!
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