I left you last year with Mike was going to leave his Van Meter position in the Spring and work just for Precision Pumping; well that didn’t happen! We had been praying about this decision for a long time and when it came time to quit, we really felt the Lord telling him to quit Precision Pumping instead. So, Mike is still at Van Meter delivering electrical supplies and really enjoys the new management there. Although it was hard to tell Chase he wasn’t going to help, his heart was never in the cleaning septics area. Now when he has afternoons available he is helping a neighboring Farmer with field work- His passion. They were even generous enough to let Mike work off a Tractor for our farm (See picture). He’s used this tractor to clean up our own farm and has hauled many loads of water to the ditch he relandscaped by our fields. 

Another huge change was in my career. After 17 years at LaCrescent High School, I was offered a Job with MNVA (Minnesota Virtual Academy) out of Houston as their Work Based Learning Teacher. I was hesitant at first to even apply. I loved working with my business curriculum, my students and my co-workers. We prayed about the decision a lot and we both agreed I wasn’t out anything to apply. The interviews happened while we were at our annual family lake vacation and was offered the position before we came home. I now have only one class to prep and plan for, instead of my regular 8 every day. After just a few months into this position, I am LOVING it!! I love working from home. I still get to see students every other week when I go onsite. I still get my people interactions when I open at Kwik Trip a couple mornings a week. I am a much better wife and mother; instead of coming home exhausted and busy all the time, I can easily put my work away and be present with my family. I was also Vanessa’s volleyball coach for one last year. The season went well but I’m ready to step back and let her grow with other coaches' input. 

Vanessa is in her last year at St. Peters. She has become a great leader to the little ones there. She was in volleyball this fall and has found a new God given talent of being an outside hitter. She was fun to watch at the net! She still has an amazing voice and has blessed our church with special music a couple times this year. As of now she intends to go to LaCrescent next year for high school, but it won’t be the same without mom there.  

Lane is in 6th grade at St. Peters and still uses his talents in Baseball during the summer. He took this year off from football so we will see if his passion comes back for it later on. He loves helping drive the “new” tractor and anything with a motor. His big excitement was during the youth hunt, he was able to harvest a huge 10 pointer that will be hanging on our wall soon. Mike was in the new blind with Lane the first evening of the youth hunt. It was very special to have this experience together. 

Chad is in 1st grade at St. Peters and loves school. Chad was also in baseball this summer and learning all new positions. Chad loves driving his lawn tractor with a wagon around anywhere there is work to be done; hauling produce from the garden, hauling in wood, cleaning up the lawn, etc. 

We had a very successful garden this year. We all worked hard to plant, weed and harvest the produce. The kids sold the extra sweet corn and pumpkins and got a taste of money so they now want an even bigger garden next year!! 

May you be open to God’s plans for your family in 2025!! 

• Mike, Jenni, Vanessa (14 in January), Lane (12 in February), Chad (7 in March)

Sarah, Shawn, Jack (age 10), Stella (age 8) and not pictured Mabel Mae (the dog).

Alicia, Rick, Abby (15), Ben (13, Ethan (9), Louie (dog), and Daisy (cat)

My husband loves planes, and I love dressing up and dancing, so the dance is the perfect event for us.

~From The Harvey's

(L-R)

Collin, Troy, Rachel, Me, Mariah, and Vince (Mariah's boyfriend)

Ella is a junior at the University of Minnesota (21). Greta is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota (19). Nils is a senior in high school (18). Mara is a eighth grader in middle school (14). Have a wonderful winter break!

With Love - Joslyn, Damon, Ella, Greta, Nils, & Mara Runyan