Ginther Family Update 2020

 

Photo by Lovely Roots Photography

We rang in the fresh new year of 2020 with friends and family at the lake and maybe this should have been foreshadowing:

We took no heed, blissfully COVID unaware, as we enjoyed skating on the pond behind our new home we'd soon move into (in March, what could go wrong?), breathing in (deeply and without masks) the crisp air of possibility. 

We spent some glorious family time together in February in Kihei, enjoying the water, the sun and the turtles while rumblings of some strange "COVID" grew.

We returned home and welcomed friends from California, Minnesota and Washington to Saskatchewan in February, our peak tourist season. 

We were worried it might be too warm but fortunately it hovered around the -30 mark all week.

Looking back, we are thankful we packed so many friends and so much fun into the first several months of the year instead of packing up our amazing home of the last 10 years.

Despite our procrastination (and the full COVID lockdown which occurred the day before our move), in March, we were able to schlep all of our worldly possessions across town to our new home.

Turns out we have some really good friends and don't have that many worldly possessions. 

We soon settled in and got the hang of being together at all times and were so impressed by the online school and activities like gymnastics. 

By Easter, we'd really gotten the hang of it.

The uplifting weather in Saskatchewan continued through May this year. 

Despite all obstacles, we did manage to get dressed and leave the house at least once this spring. 

Photograph by Tamara Michelle Photography

While it was difficult giving up the intrinsic satisfaction of attempting to homeschool, we reluctantly closed the iPad to start summer.

To celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary, we decided to put our marriage to the test by Nathan simultaneously completing an entire yard...

and Abbie opening a storefront with her business partner Deena. 

When we realized we were definitely still married, we rallied enough to enjoy a fantastic summer and a bit of a COVID reprieve. Some highlights included spending time with family at the lake...

several camping trips with friends where we were able to truly experience the adventures of nature...

lots of time on the boat...

and a family trip to the mountains. 

The kids' highlights included putting in a fence...

 Drumheller aka Dinosaur Land...

 and visiting a rock museum in Radisson. 

Lola's highlights included napping, barking and running around. She's a great companion to us and turned 4 this month. 

Emily Grace turned seven this year.

She is loving grade 2 in French Immersion. 

She also loves identifying birds and rocks, is excelling in reading and writing and would like to spend her time swimming and playing with horses and cats. 

She does not love meatloaf, dresses, going to bed without her mother home, or emptying her lunch box.

Gabby turned five this year and was relieved that the world finally understood that she was ready for "real school", the school bus and all forms of fun. 

She loves gymnastics, crafts, puzzles and skating. She does not appreciate bedtime, her mother attempting to do her hair or choose her outfit and especially does not appreciate onions or potatoes.

We were so excited to welcome Granny and Grandpa Armstrong back to Saskatchewan this fall.

 

The girls have loved the time they get to spend with both sets of grandparents, even if it's currently at a distance outside and not getting the skilled gymnastics tips that were a surprise to us all.

Nathan continues to enjoy practicing medicine in Saskatoon and regaling us with tales (or tails?) of surgery and his practice. 

This year we are thankful for God's continued provision in all aspects of our lives. We're thankful for family, community and health and we're looking forward to being able to open up our home when it's safely possible. 

While the girls are excited about the arrival of a certain bearded fellow, this year, more than ever, we rest in the assurances of a Saviour whose promises never change. We hope to see many of you in 2021 and we pray that your hope rests securely in Him who never fails.

Love,

The Ginther Family

Nathan, Abbie, Emily & Gabrielle

Photo by Lovely Roots Photography

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17.