This has been another exciting year for the Kuykendall family. 2010 was a different year for our family, to say the least. Here is a list of our highlights.....
-The boys got involved in 4H this year, something their parents had long desired for them to be a part of. We started them out with rabbits, not wanting to scare mommy. The boys joined a club (the Hip Hoppers) and ended up learning a lot about rabbits. They placed 1st and 3rd in their respective classes at the SW Washington Youth Fair.
-6 more months of construction experience for BJ. Much knowledge (about building and about life) was gained. Thank you Marv Jamerson.
-We enjoyed the annual Kuykendall Reunion at Chief Timothy State Park in June. It was nice to see the Kuykendall side all together again AND celebrate Grandpa and Grandma Kuykendalls' 90th birthdays. They are both healthy and active. We are so thankful to have them.
-June brought another blessing. After a season of uncertainty as to what the future held in vocational ministry, BJ was invited to candidate to be Pastor of the Hoodview Church of
God in Woodburn, OR; a church he had served as youth pastor 8 years earlier. The church and the Kuykendalls felt that this was the work of the Lord and we agreed to come September 1st.
-July was mostly spent getting the house ready to sell (still not sold), packing belongings, and BJ picking up a few seal coating jobs.
-In August we were blessed to take a big road trip to Colorado. Connie, Elaine's mother, had been wanting to get the family out to her old stomping grounds for years and 2010 seemed like as good a time as any. We, along with the Freemans (Elaine's sister's family), trekked to Colorado Springs first and took in Pike's Peak, a cool western museum, and even did some gold mining. We were also able to visit with Elaine's dad for a day. Then we drove over to Wray to meet up with the extended Dickson family for a family reunion. The next day we took in Vernon days and even went on a hay ride. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the family members we so seldom see. Thinking it would be a shame to not see Yellowstone when we were so close, (not that close, really) we decided to re-route our drive home. We didn't spend much time in the park but enjoyed it...the boys were impressed with the buffalos. Thank you Grandma Connie for making the trip possible.
-As soon as we got home we were in rush mode to get ready for our move to Woodburn. We would have NEVER made it without the help of all our wonderful Centralia friends. Our years in Centralia were a tremendous blessing to us. We learned so much about family, ministry, and living the Christian life. We want to thank all of our friends who were there for us as we were seeking God's direction for our lives. We love you.
-September 1st (8 years to the date from when we left Woodburn) we officially began our ministry at the Hoodview Church of God in Woodburn, OR. The congregation has been so warm and welcoming to our whole family. Many people have asked me (BJ) how things are going and I usually respond, "It feels like the Lord is in it." That is truly how we feel. We believe that the Lord placed us here and we are going to give it our best and trust HIM for the rest. Shortly after we arrived in Woodburn, two men who had a deep impact on BJ's life and who had been two prior Pastors of the Hoodview COG went home to be with the Lord. Their memorial services ended up falling on the same weekend in the same church sanctuary. BJ is humbled to be following in their footsteps. We pray the Lord blesses the work at Hoodview and is honored by His people in and out of the church.
-We the Kuykendalls are blessed people. Life isn't always easy and sometimes we have our doubts, BUT God has given us a wonderful family, amazing friends, led us to a beautiful congregation, and best of all has saved us from our sins and awakened us to His eternal kingdom. Thanks be to God.
"And every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
And every thought of holiness,
Are HIS alone."
May the Lord graciously bless you this Christmas Season.
In Christ,
The Kuykendalls
(September 2010)
Christmas Eve our family always attends the service at church, eats taco soup (yummy and simple), and opens our gifts to each other.
Jud has been smiling lately with a scrunched up nose like J.R. :)
For the past few years our boys have been drawing a brother's name to buy a five dollar gift for. They love to give gifts but we were realizing that the Dollar Tree gift they would buy for each brother didn't always hold up too long. This way they can spend a little bit more and be surprised by which brother bought for them.
When the tongue is out, Jared means business!
An arctic circle gift card...my hubby is in love with that greasy place. He already knows most of the workers by name!
A few Christmases ago we started giving each boy a book for their future library. I don't know if any other parents out there can relate, but sometimes the gift thing can get over rated. Sometimes you even feel like you are trying to find anything to buy to reach a certain dollar amount. Enough of that! The past few years we have cut back on the amount of gifts for each boy and now include a book for future use and a few well thought out family gifts. It seems every year I am worried that our boys will be disappointed, but again they were thrilled with their gifts. Jesse, who is always very appreciative, even put his "boring" book as one of his top three. :)
Justin was really into these. For the rest of the evening he would hold out him arm and push the "button" on his jammies to shoot his laser beam. :)
Christmas morning, after stockings and breakfast, we headed to BJ's parent's home for a delicious lunch and Christmas fun.
Of course the only shot that turned out was the silly one! 
