2013. What a year it has been. We’ve been around the world and back, now taking this last opportunity to share with you some of our favorite moments, fun facts, crazy videos and solemn remembrances. Thank you to each and every person who made it what it was – for being a friend and loving us the way you do. We are forever thankful for you!
The above image is a collage of instagrams by both Kevin and myself in chronological order from the top left to the bottom right… Click on the image for a larger version — so many fun moments with people we absolutely adore. And then (and only then), you may read on…
Here are just a few fun facts about our 2013:
JANUARY
Directly after an epic Frontline Renaissance, we had the privilege of attending a conference in Adelaide to hear one of our heroes, Christian Apologist Ravi Zacharias. We drove over 3000 kilometres (33 hours) in 5 days, but it was definitely worth it!
FEBRUARY
Kev turned 30!! Woohoo. Welcome to the club, buddy 😉
MARCH to JUNE
As many of you know, Kevin and I took 3 months earlier this year to spend time with my family in the States. It was a wonderful time of rest, reflection and restoration. During that time, my family celebrated the 50th anniversary of our annual Easter reunion. It was a milestone that we’re so grateful we could be a part of. Mimi & Papa, thank you for having the vision for what would one day be 163 of your children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren gathered to celebrate the most important thing in life: family.
If you missed Kev’s ‘1 Second Everyday’ video of our time in the US, you can watch it here.
In April, a new addition was made to the family: Baby Gabe! My sister-in-law Elrica had her 3rd child, a sweet little boy named Gabriel.
Lastly, while we were away, Kev’s Uncle Jhonny passed away after a long fight with his health. We were able to spend some quality time with him in the hospital before we left. We look back and are thankful for the life he lived and the joy he brought to so many.
JUNE/JULY
We came back to Sydney for 3 weeks before heading off on our ‘Lingberries vs. The World’ tour around the globe. In that time, we attended Watoto Australia’s Corporate Gala at Le Montage and served at Hillsong Church’s annual conference. Kev drove key guests and I helped out with the photography team. It was a bit crazy, but really fun as well!
JULY to OCTOBER
Okay, so here’s the video many of you have been waiting for: Our ‘Lingberries vs. The World 1 Second Everday’! Kev did an amazing job once again capturing clips of each day and this gives you a great glimpse into our trip. Enjoy! (And don’t you worry… we’ve got plenty more posts about our travels still to come)
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/82991276 w=600&h=338]Aaaaand my nephew Abram was born! Nephew #5 on my side 🙂 Love his sweet little face.
NOVEMBER
We arrived back to Sydney at the end of October, just in time to catch our friends’ Adam & Paige’s wedding. It was a perfect day and a beautiful wedding! So glad we could make it. The rest of the month was mostly comprised of catching up with friends/fam and just readjusting back to “normal” life. Kev was summoned for jury duty and I got a job working with a very cool café in Castle Hill called Youeni. We had a staff training the day after I started and I got to taste the new summer menu. Score! The food is delicious and pretty healthy, since it’s mostly organic.
Check out how amazing these pastries look (including my favorite, the orange-pineapple-almond cake with lime icing, which I got for my bday):
And for the summer, who doesn’t love a good salad? Okay, done bragging now 😉
We celebrated Thanksgiving at our friend Holly’s house, where we always have a great time. This was our 2nd time to attend and the food and company certainly didn’t disappoint! Kev has established a tradition with Holly’s 3 boys to take a photo with them holding something. Two years ago it was Nerf guns. This year? Electric guitars.
DECEMBER
I love December for many reasons: 1) It’s my birthday month; 2) It’s Jesus’ birthday month; 3) People feed me lots of yummy food.
We held our very first garage sale (along with our Mallard House buddies) to clear lots of things that have been left behind at the house we used to live in. We’ve kept in touch with them and act like we still live there at times (haha). It was a huge success! I think we should hold one monthly.
Oh, we also had a BBQ to go along with the garage sale… I mean, if you’re going to be outside on a hot summer day, might as well make it a party, right? Kev pretty much dominated the grill.
For my birthday, a group of friends joined us for a beach day out at Balmoral beach. It was another beautiful summer day. So blessed! We picnicked up on the rocks, swam in the bay and lounged in our fabulous little beach shelter. That Aussie sun is way too hot to sit in for long! (Photos by the lovely Antony & Kate)
Christmas time was filled with lots of laughter and joy with friends and family. Our last connect group gathering of the year was a ‘Merry Christmas Birthday Party’ (since it landed on our friend Brendan’s bday and, why not?). Here are just a few shots of the festivities:
From Christmas Eve to Boxing Day (aka the day after Christmas), there was non-stop celebrating, eating, gift-opening and game-playing going on around the Ling households.
First up was Christmas Eve dinner at Kev’s auntie’s house:
Then on Christmas Day, we were at Kev’s sister Elrica’s apartment, where we had a delicious (and pretty healthy) lunch cooked by her hubby Joe, then played games like Skylanders (video game) and Hedbanz (which we got for the kids… and, um, us too). It was a fun, relaxed day and such a great way to spend Christmas!
Well then! Time to wrap it up… Thanks again for joining us on the journey. Love you lots & HAPPY NEW YEAR! Bring on 2014.
xx The Lingberries xx
