Merry Christmas! – My Digital Christmas Card

I hope this letter finds you all well, and enjoying celebrating Christ’s birth with loved ones. I had a busy year myself and I realized it was time for me to start some of my own traditions. Namely writing a letter – but since I already have a spot to write here I thought I would just send my Christmas greetings from here.

Outside of swing dancing throughout the year, getting in some great pick up hockey and writing here’s what’s been happening this year.

I started off this year early in the morning and went on a solo trip to LA on the 1st and stayed there until the 9th of January. I met my friends Trinity from Praxis there and got to experience the city in general. I also got to hang out with some new friends there – what a great way to start the year!

January finished up with a senior high ministries trip to Snow Camp for a retreat – this was just as fun as ever but a different experience as a leader! I loved hanging out with the students and spending a weekend with them.

The highlight of February was a trip to North Carolina for a job prospect – didn’t get the job – still had fun! I got to hang out in the small town the job was in meet to other young adults who lived where I was stayed and learn about an interesting company.

In March I got the chance to dance in a movie, you can see the story behind this experience here – but know that I got to swing dance for a local film through an event posting that I saw on Facebook – it was such a cool thing to be a part of.

Later that month, I got to visit another friend out of town – but this time it was a shorter trip – to Wilmar Minnesota to meet Dana – another friend from Praxis who I got to spend a day with and even enjoy a meeting with her local Bible study group!

In April I went with Senior High at GracePoint again to a retreat this time to Duluth for District Blitz.

June was very exciting – I went to Atlanta for what is called FEECon it’s a conference put on by Foundation for Economic Education – and I met a whole host of Praxians there – we got to go to seminars, dances, as well meals with young adults from all over the country. I even got to meet many of the Praxis advisors.

In June, my Mom and I took a trip to Door County Wisconsin while my Dad and sister went on a fishing trip to northern Minnesota. We enjoyed relaxed beaches, yummy food, antique shops, even a classic car museum and a tour of Lambeau field, as well as the wonderful scenery throughout the trip.

In July I started at my Dispatch job. On the 9th to be exact. It’s been a wonderful 24 weeks since and I am still so thankful for this job and company as a whole.

July also meant a trip to my Grandpa and Grandma Parkins cabin, and my Aunt and Uncle Langlie’s cabin where I got to water ski and enjoy some time at the lake.

August included another trip for a conference this time it was to Park City Utah but I still got to catch up with a lot of Praxians. This was a fun adventure plus I even got to swing dance there!

My parents, sister and I kicked off September with a trip to Grand Marais for Labor Day weekend! But not without first stopping in Ely to explore the town and the historic mine.

In November my family went to the airport to welcome my Grandpa Parkin back from a trip to DC to see the memorials made in his honor. This was super cool to contribute to and be a part of!

And later in November just a day after hitting a decade of living at my parent’s current home in New Brighton I found a nice apartment and moved in a day before I turned 24. This was a such a blessing but definitely not what I expected at the beginning of my housing search. I look forward to being hospitable to friend and family in my own place!

I also officially graduated Praxis in November!

Outside of settling into my apartment, hanging out with friends, and some lovely Christmas parties not much has happened in December yet outside of some lovely Christmas parties, but that is about to change as I write this as my whole extended family heads up to Grand Marais for an early Glader Christmas celebration. My parent’s sister and I will head back on the 24th for Parkin Christmas on the 25th.

Though I also now get to play hockey at work! We have an onsite rink at Dispatch because our founders love hockey so that’s been a fun treat already.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all who read this. I pray that God will keep you safe this holiday, that you will follow his good and perfect will, and that you will find blessings from him this Christmas and this new year.

Much Love,

Katherine “Katie” Glader

Header photo courtesy of Morgan Elizabeth Photography.