Jim Leinbaugh

It's a new year. A new president sworn in soon - and the world hasn't blown up yet! 2016 brought a lot of changes, and 2017 looks to be another year of transitions. But I embrace change. And I'm excited about the future!

Last year just flew by. Between a hectic work schedule and trying to get some things done around the house, it never let up. Then my wife flew to Texas to help my son and daughter-in-law with the birth of our second grandchild. It was only a few weeks after that, said son moved to Korea for a year of service overseas, so Jessica, our daughter-in-law, along with the two kids, two dogs and a crap-ton of toys moved in with us for the year.

Add to that a wedding in Vegas (no, the dogs didn't go, but flying with two young'uns is another story for another day!) so the six of us survived a single hotel room on the strip for a week.

And for the past few months, we've had the privilege to be a part of a new church plant in the city. Oh the joys of load in and load out! But it's priceless to see the excitement on the faces of my daughter and daughter-in-law to be a part of something life transforming.

And the finale - all the boys were able to make it home for Christmas! Laughter, late-night talks... the FOOD! Do you know how much it costs to feed three grown "boys" for two weeks straight? Well I think it's priceless.

But this week they all headed back to reality. One left Monday. The next on Tuesday. Friday my oldest left for Korea to finish his year overseas. It's awfully quiet around here. Even with the daughter, daughter-in-law, grandkids and three dogs. I don't know if I'll ever like saying goodbye.

So I'll say hello. Hello to a new year. Hello to spring. Hello to listening to my grand-daughter's ever expanding vocabulary. Hello to my grandson crawling, and cruising and walking. Hello to my daughter transitioning from middle school to high school. Hello to my son returning home to lead his family on a new adventure. Hello to my new church making a lasting impact in a neglected part of town that desperately needs revival. Hello to whatever new adventure God has in store for 2017.

It's gonna be a great year!