Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends. 2016 has been an incredible year, full of fun and challenges. I started the year in St. Louis, MO and ended it in Seattle, WA- with many trips and adventures in between.
The biggest story from this year was my decision to leave St. Louis and start a new adventure in the Pacific Northwest. Late last year, after much prayer, I felt God was calling me to a new home and to new opportunities to share the message of Life. I have always loved Washington and always hoped for a chance to live there- this seemed like the perfect chance to make that dream a reality. My Grandma Davis graciously agreed to let me rent her spare bedroom and I made the move in early August. It has been both a challenge and a blessing in my new home. Leaving St. Louis, all of my incredible friends, and my church family at St. John's was harder than I had imagined. But I have started to make new friends through my church in Seattle and through BSF Young Adults. I am looking forward to the next few years and all the Northwest has to offer!
 |
| I'm going to miss my "church kids"! |
Ginny loves Seattle and all the outdoor activities around us- she has become quite the hiking partner! She also loves when she gets to hang out with my aunt and uncle's family- especially their dog, Hank. She's looking forward to spending some time in the snow later this winter when we take a trip to the mountains.
 |
| We love the view from the water in our town! |
The Davis family was also blessed with a new member this year- Sarah and Shawn welcomed Timothy James in April and I am so in love with my little nephew- I love being an auntie to him and Christina!
I am still working with youth through Lutherans For Life and the Y4Life ministry is growing to reach more and more students each year. I survived the Washington D.C. Snowpocalype of 2016 with over 30 high school students in January and even had the unique opportunity to teach students from multiple Lutheran high schools who were all stuck in D.C. Lutherans For Life was also honored with a huge space to have fun teaching students about life issues at the LCMS National Youth Gathering- I got to work with some great volunteers, including my brother! The best part about work this year was getting to work with my first ever intern- who happens to also be my brother's amazing girlfriend! Sarah was so incredible and I am looking forward to our next intern in 2017!
 |
| Washington D.C. Snowpocalypse 2016! |
 |
| The best NYG team EVER! |
 |
| I loved working with Sarah this summer! |
After the business of another Y4Life summer, I began the long trek to Seattle to start my new life. I decided to really "start fresh" by selling and donating most of my things and moving just with my car. My best friend, Caitlin, agreed to drive with me to Seattle and we had a blast exploring the Western United States, with great road trip stops along the way- including the Badlands National Park, Devil's Tower, and Shoshone Mountain Retreat- my camp in Idaho!
 |
| Badlands National Park |
 |
| Devil's Tower in Wyoming |
 |
| Ginny wasn't a fan of the Coeur d'Alene River |
 |
| So happy to be back at camp! |
 |
| Made it to Washington- the Columbia River! |
After getting to Seattle, my brother John and his girlfriend, Sarah, joined Caitlin and I for a camping and hiking trip. While we were there, I accomplished another life-long dream- climbing a mountain! We hiked to the top of Hannegan Peak- a 10.5 mile hike with over 3,000 ft. of elevation gain. It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done- but the view was so worth it and John was a great motivator at the end!
 |
| View from our campsite in the Mt. Baker National Forest |
 |
| The entire hiking crew! |
 |
| Made it to the top of Hannegan Peak! |
 |
| This picture doesn't show how tired we are :) |
 |
| Couldn't have made it to the top without him! |
I hope 2016 was a great year for all of you. I am so excited about all that God will do in 2017 and I pray that God will bless you today and everyday! Merry Christmas!
Love, Laura
