If you are here reading this, that means you have more than likely received our Christmas card by now. And if you haven’t, well, we are glad you are here! It’s been a wild year for sure, especially through the eyes of our two-year-old full-of-life son. Let’s see…2023 started out with a ton of sickness. We battled so much sickness in our family the fall prior to the new year, so we felt certain the new year would bring new health. We were sadly mistaken. Sigh.

Powering through to spring, we enjoyed a spring break trip to Englewood, Florida, and soaked up all the family time together with daily pool play and nightly ice cream treats. Despite Ash eating sand and getting an absolutely terrible diaper rash, we had a great time!

After being a part of a transformational experience through the Outpouring at Asbury University (where I teach), we felt God moving in our hearts to find a new church home. We started attending First Alliance Church in Lexington after Easter and have loved every minute of being there. It has truly been lifegiving to us!

As the summer approached, we celebrated Willow as she finished her kindergarten year—she had a wonderful year with the very best teacher and we were both blessed and thankful for all the growth that took place.

We spent the summer doing all the fun things, which included a lot of travel. Our Worthen family trip to Lakeside, OH, in July is always a favorite. SO many fun memories were made, including taking the kids on a ferry ride over to Putton Bay Island. And enjoying a day at Cedar Point. Later in July, Ryan had a work trip to Denver, so we took Willow along for a very special trip with just us.

This fall, we’ve all been riding the busy train with our careers and family life. Ryan continues filming weddings and growing his side business- I occasionally help film, but take my role as momma pretty darn seriously!

Willow is now in the middle of her first-grade year and we celebrated Ash turning two in September (time is a thief!!!). Ryan and I celebrated 13 years of marriage in October—we are both highly invested into college life and have become the mama and papa bear of one of the biggest freshmen classes in Asbury’s history. We are blessed. We are thankful. And, we are just trying to take one day at a time while trusting God in the process.

We wouldn’t be where we are without the Lord and the love, support, and encouragement from our village…YOU! I can’t end this without giving a great love shoutout to my dear Kelsey Malicote- the champ of all our family photo sessions. Thank you for sharing your gift and talent with this world—you are incredible.

The Worthen Family is wishing you a very Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year!