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Happy New Year, 2023!

Happy New Year!!

I realize that I am a few days late, but I am recovering from a years worth of overworking myself. My children got out of school on 12/16 for Christmas "break" to begin but it didn't begin, for us, until Christmas morning. We had plans for every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Our calendar was packed full. The best part was that it was full with doing the Lord's work, not shopping and overextending an already overextended bank account. It was a blessing to see how much work gets put into ministry outreach. I slept WONDERFUL, every single night!


I would have to say that the end of 2021, and all of 2022 has been the most challenging part of my adult life. However, it has also been one of the best. Even though I've been a believer since I was 8, I didn't truly know Him until 2019. It took me a long time to understand that listening to Him required silence on my part. Over the years, I've learned that I had to be in a relationship with Him in order to have growth. Just like our kids have to learn the word, "no", and how to wait for things, I have had to learn the same. I learned that "no" isn't a bad word. I learned that "wait" doesn't necessarily mean "no". 2022 was filled with a lot more growth BECAUSE of the pain. I look forward to 2023, but not because I think 2022 needs to be in my rearview mirror. I look forward to it because I believe that there's a purpose for the pain that we've endured. I believe 2023 will be when it's going to start being visible to everyone who is watching from the outside. 


Speaking of watching from the outside... Every year, since Jachelle's second Christmas, I've been putting my Christmas cards on my tree. It started out as a way to keep them out of reach. The last few years, they've outgrown our tree, so we've tried to get creative with them. At least a quarter of them are from people that I don't even know their name! I only knew that they read that I wanted Christmas cards and they sent them. I'm thankful for this because it proves to us that there's always someone watching, so we need to be sure that we are always showing Jesus! I pray to continue to be salt and light in 2023 & all the years to come! Happy New Year!





The baby in the manger changed it all.


Jesus changed our lives through New Birth Outreach Ministries. I was
working on this gift right before I was taking pictures. I forgot
that it was there but decided that I would include it. We are
called to share Jesus with everyone, and that's what New Birth has done for us.


Crooked candy cane made out of sweet cards 💞😍


A wreath with an "E" ornament in the center. A cross, where our lives were changed. Our bright stockings, and Corey's "LOVE" graph that I've had up for almost 1 year. 😍


Top view of the candy cane cards, and
some of the cards on the tree.


More cards on the tree, our top heavy star,
and the hot pink Christmas ornaments to
match the girls hot pink camo stockings. 😂



Thank you to everyone who sent cards, and thank you to those who allowed us to return a card! It is a true joy to be your family!!! I pray that 2023 is a blessing to you and yours!


Your sister in Christ,


Michelle Marie Ellis

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