Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We hope this note finds you well, celebrating what God has done, and anticipating another year of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and kindness.
The past year for the Leininger’s has been unique. We’ve had completions, celebrations, pauses, continuations, and re-directions.
In the spring, Asa and Aravis completed educational quests they were on. Aravis completed her homeschool experience and we were blessed by many who gathered to celebrate her accomplishments at Common Grounds Coffee House in Strafford. In August, Aravis began working at the same coffee house. Then she added three other jobs in the fall. She anticipates moving to NYC in the spring of 2024 to pursue a career in acting/theater.
Asa graduated from Missouri State University with a double major in History and Theater. In the summer he worked at a camp in Southern California, traveled from coast to coast, and then made his way to the Dominican Republic to work with the Peace Corps. While in the DR, Asa gained some clarity about his professional interests. He will begin 2024 back in the USA, pursuing a professional path in theater.
In the spring Moses and Emily were apart of the revival/outpouring/Jesus movement at Asbury University. They live and work at Asbury U and study at Asbury Seminary. After returning from a European trip in June, Moses accepted another challenge of being a modern worship leader at Centenary Church in Lexington, KY. They are enjoying their life together.
With siblings transitioning, Kyrie took her own re-direction. She began her sophomore year of HS at Strafford HS. She is our last kid, and our only kid to experience preparatory school outside of the home-schooling environment. She is doing well in school and ignoring her dad’s pleas to get a C in at least one class.
Anna and I celebrated our 30th anniversary last May. With all the events happening for the kids, we had about half a second to celebrate. We sense a need to be present to the kids while they are here. Their wings are spreading and our time with them feels short.
In the fall, Anna faced a question: what were her days going to look like with homeschooling not on the docket? While there are not clear answers for her next adventure, for the moment she has been glad to take up substitute teaching. She has a number of new stories and she can tell you her favorite grade/age level to teach 4(th).
A year ago I was offered an opportunity to take a sabbatical over the summer. The spring brought planning. The summer brought the experience. It was a tremendous gift from the fine folks at Schweitzer Church. In the midst of that season, I gardened, read some books, biked and began running again, and we traveled some. Anna, the girls, and I went to NYC in early July. We also had some time in Chicago, MI, and then I went to Wichita, KS for a quiet retreat.
The sabbatical provided clarity to my sense of being and calling. It was restful, in a way. I reconnected with the value of an afternoon nap; I took one every afternoon that I was at home.
In some circles there has been a lot of talk about ‘burnout.’ In fact, most professions are seeing people who have been long ‘obedient in the same direction,’ opting for the exit door. On the one hand, an unavoidable truth is that we all make our entrances and exits. On the other hand, much of burnout, early exits, and a retreat of wisdom to the sideline far too soon is because we’ve lost the gift of the sabbath and sabbatical.
Resting, reconnecting, and celebrating have been means of grace that helped transition our pauses, continuations, and re-directions.
In all that is ahead, we pray you’ll look back and behold the faithful kindness and mercy of God, and in faith, you’ll take each day with curious delight, resting, laboring, and rejoicing in God.
God’s best to you,
Jason
PS – Kyrie said I was supposed to sign off as Rev. Dr. Jason
PSS – We love hearing from you! If you’re ever in the Springfield, MO area, contact us and we’ll connect!
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