3 Months with Christmas Around the Corner

This month we celebrate Jesus' birth and Mike's 3 month anniversary with a new heart! A wonderful month to celebrate in! We started off December trying to cram in every holiday activity that we could. Hot cocoa, cookie baking, craft shows, Christkindl Market Downtown, and visiting with loved ones.

Mike had his 3 month (Dec 10th) check up, left heart Cath, and biopsy. It was a long day at the hospital as left heart caths take more time. Nothing some raspberry sherbet and peanut butter crackers couldn't fix though. On the 11th we each (Mike and I) received some news. Mike was at a level 2 rejection and my position with Learning Care Group was eliminated. It was a tough day for the Neubert household. Mike started on a higher dose of steroids and an extra 3 day boost of steroids to help kick the rejection. He was also scheduled for another biopsy on December 23rd. After 15.5 years with AppleTree/LCG I am transitioning into a new era in my life...what that is is still to be determined. I am so sad to not be with my AGW schools and family, but if my experiences in life have taught me anything so far, it's that I am not defined by my job or what I do. I am defined as a daughter of the one most high, our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we waited for December 23rd to come we found time to spend with eachother, friends, and family. We were able to celebrate Christmas with Mike's mom and sister in Alpena. The boys had a sleep over with their cousins and got to enjoy the spoils of the VanMassenhove's elves. I was busy little elf myself and found time to Christmas prep, have some lunch dates with my college roommate and wonderful friend, and of course not set an alarm for early morning work. We received an early Christmas present on Christmas Eve that Mike is now at a 0 rejection! God is so good and now we can sigh a huge sigh of relief.

As we celebrate Christmas this year we can't help but to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the one who gives us life and peace. Time and time again we are reminded of how blessed we are in this life and how much we need to lean on the word of God. This journey that we are on has so many twists and turns and we are not able to see the path that God has laid out for us. Amazing though when we trust in him we begin to see where it leads.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Merry Chirstmas and may God show you the path in 2025!

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