Turning mourning into dancing…

I think that’s a good way to define this year.

There has been some type of chaotic, traumatic, life fearing, stress inducing event almost every month. Not necessarily directed towards us, but around us enough to get the secondhand feelings of it. My posts seem to be one good update and then one bad update. Back and forth.

I have tried to shield the girls, but they’ve still heard. And although we feel safe where we are, life continues to get harder for everyone as the future feels more and more unknown. For the first time in 11 years, I have packed go-bags just in case we need to flee.

So, for every mourning of the massacres and the burnt down villages and the airplane shootings and the constant fear of the unknown, God has still given us a time to dance. His

blessings poured out as we bring our attention back to Jesus. To His goodness that never fails.

We go to the beach and play in the sand even though reality is at times depressing.

We watch movies and sing songs even though our thoughts are with the countless victims on this island living out nightmares right down the road.

We decorate cookies, and open birthday presents, and attend dance classes because the future has never looked so dark but dwelling in it would only make it worse. So, we dance, and we smile and live one day at a time, not ignoring the pain, but not letting it consume us. We remember that despite the darkness closing in, a Savior was born and is still alive today. That baby in a manger grew up and became King of the World and no amount of darkness, or fear, or stress can steal that joy from us. So, we can mourn, and we can dance. God is with us in both.

He is worthy to be followed through valley lows and mountain highs.

We are forever grateful for each one of you that stood by our side this year. May 2025 be the year of miracles.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We love you all,

The La Limyè family

“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11