2020 was… well… unique. In what other December could someone writing in jest, “I believe in mandatory vacations” create a social media firestorm. (Please read again to note the use of the word “vacations”.) And that about sums up the year for the Jones family.
In All Things
Should we wipe out the memory of a pandemic and go into 2021 with a clean slate? Nope. Gratitude exists even in hardships.
The Alberta Joneses and the Saskatchewan Joneses got together for a few, precious days in July. Our grandkids – Quinn(9), Lena(7), Vinny(5), Annora(4) and Jayda (2) are happy, healthy, and with only bruises to show from their adventures. They left the broken bones and surgeries to Gramma J and Poppa Bob.
Through It All
Up until this year, May was a month for celebrating birthdays (Bob and Quinn) and wedding anniversaries (Bob and Jocelyn, Jean Marc and Angie). In May 2020 Bob concluded a 9-month role as the transitional pastor in Barrhead – a role he loved. Eight days later he suffered a full retinal detachment in his right eye, resulting in three surgeries, a temporary loss of sight which was diagnosed as permanent in December. Also in May, Jocelyn fell and broke her elbow, requiring surgery and therapy for the rest of the year.
Through it all, our friends and neighbours who are our friends, overwhelmed us with meals, coffees, cards, calls, rides, prayers, and kindnesses. Bob stayed engaged in coaching, collaborating and counselling on Zoom as well as writing leadership curriculum and recording online messages in our living-room-turned-production studio.
Close To Home
Most of the year was spent close to home, with some exceptional weeks in autumn at our cabin. The pandemic postponed our trip to Israel and Bob’s ministry conference in Burundi was cancelled. We are grateful for health and grieve with those who lost loved ones during COVID. Bob officiated a number of COVID funerals (and two weddings).
Lyns and Angie are our frontline health care heroes. Cory and JM adapted to working on Zoom from home and back and forth to the classroom for Cory dependent on Covid outbreaks at the school.
Yes, even Jocelyn learned how to Zoom to stay connected to her small group. 91-year old Dad Blades had a couple of surgeries but he and Mom still live independently in Harmony, NS. We love our family.
Christmas Day
December 25th will be a Jones family Facetime/Zoom/Drive-by kind of Christmas. Hopefully, it will be a one and only. Whatever 2021 brings, we are sincerely assured that God is in control. We’re living on purpose and imagining family times together again. And paddleboards at the lake.
With our love and prayers for your Merry Christmas and a healthy and purposeful 2021.
And to our REVwords family, a very Merry Christmas to you. When the sun rises on the first morning of 2021 may you be at peace knowing God will still be in control. He loves you.
With love,
Bob and Jocelyn Jones
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We are so sorry to hear your loss of sight has now been diagnosed as permanent Bob. We were praying for full restoration of your vision. Thank you for the Jones’ family letter. We wish you and Jocelyn and very Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2021. ❤
… and a Merry Christmas to you and Rob. Life is about adjusting and adapting. The brain and mind are incredible gifts from God that compensate when parts of the body breakdown. So many good memories of being in Israel with you.
Wishing you and Jocelyn a Blessed Christmas and Good Health and Joy in 2021. Love your blogs, keep up the good work! Thx.