Beloved,
What a year! As I reflect, I can easily point to times of fear, disappointment, frustration, grief, and even devastating loss. But I can also easily point to overwhelming blessing, profound gratitude, and unexpected joy. In all things, God has been faithful. We pray that this letter finds you and yours well. Here’s just a quick update on our little family and what we’ve been up to.
Colombo (C4) is a senior at UConn and will be graduating in May with a degree in Marketing Management. He lives at home and all of his classes have been online since March. He’s also been working from home for the same wealth management firm he’s been at for a couple of years. He and Kelly have been dating for four years. She is pursuing a degree in Physical Education. C4 is a leader in the youth group, often plays the drums for youth worship, is an avid Devil’s fan, and takes Fantasy Football very seriously. He is loyal, responsible, and witty.
Maddy is 19 and home for the holiday break. She returned to Brea, California in September for her third year at an elite dance program, The Launch. The dance industry has effectively dried up due to the pandemic, leaving her with few options at this time. She still teaches some online private lessons. She has gotten very close with a group of young adults that she enjoys studying the Bible and servinting the community with. Maddy serves with the youth group and is on the service production team when she's here in Connecticut. This year, she launched her podcast, MADsoul. She is mature, generous, and caring.
Nathanael, 17, is a senior at East Catholic. He got his license in July and bought himself a Chevy Cruze. He also got his first job- making Blizzards at Dairy Queen. He’s on both the school hockey and golf team, though the hockey season kickoff has been delayed. Nathanael serves every weekend on the camera team at church, which has been vital to the the congregation for those who choose the online option of service. He’s currently applying to colleges and figuring out his options for next year, probably in the field of engineering. He is laid back, athletic, and thoughtful. We call him Tall Brother, as he stands at 6’2”.
Trevor, 14, hit a big milestone this year entering East Catholic High School as a Freshman. Real school. He also walked onto the football team, a great way to meet other kids and integrate into the community. They weren’t allowed to have a full season of games, but did manage to practice five days a week and played five games of two-hand touch. Early in the year, he joined Teen Bible Quiz and that was one of the few activities that remained throughout the year, a wonderful anchor for him with a good group of kids. He is now taller than me. He is fun, persistent, and helpful.
Rocco, 11, is in 6th grade and is working through the disappointment of his hockey season being paused for a couple months. Rocco is a sweet presence and a joy to be around. He chooses his friends wisely and is loyal to them. His favorite subject in school is history. Rocco discovered this year how much he likes to fish! He constantly makes us laugh and is always the winner when we play “try not to laugh” around the dinner table. He is content, considerate, and athletic.
Renna, 8, is in 3rd grade. She walked away from dance to play soccer and to try hockey this year, which she loves! She’s on the same team as her BFF/cousin. Since both soccer and hockey are on hold for now, I put her back into acro temporarily. That girl needs activity in her life! Her favorite subject is reading and she spends as much time as she can with the two dogs. She is strong, hilarious, and brave. Nothing stops that girl!
Colombo had a good year of business despite shutdowns around us, and for that, we are grateful. He serves on the church board and coaches Rocco’s and Renna’s hockey teams. Sadly, our Crossfit gym closed its doors for good in April. We have some equipment in the garage and have been doing various programs, but recently joined Street Parking, which we are both loving!
This is our 17th year of homeschool and having only two kids at home, both of whom are fairly self-suffiecient, feels like a breeze. The last time I only had two students was 13 years ago and they were young, plus I was juggling two toddlers. Though both productions at church were cancelled and many of my ministires have simply been on hold, the time off has afforded a welcomed respite and chance to take a breath.
Our travel was obviously limited, but we spent a week in the Outerbanks with Colombo’s extended family in June, which was a glorious way to emerge from our Covid cacoon. We also took the 3 littles camping in New Hampshire and the whole family enjoyed a week on Cape Cod. Staying close to home for the summer was a treat. We were extra thankful this year to have the pool and tried to be very intentional about sharing it with others.
“Normal life” came to a halt in March and although some of what’s familiar has returned, most still has a layer of weird to it. It’s been a difficult year to be a parent. Our kids have shouldered some heavy stuff (around the world and in our little corner of it), but it’s a privilege to walk through it with them, teaching and training along the way. This is life. It’s not a dress rehearsal. We are so thankful for the good that came because of the pause that was forced upon us. We strived to appreciate the slower pace, enjoyed more family dinners, lots of quality time together, family hikes, house projects completed, puzzles conquered, trick-shots mastered, local businesses supported. Because of the “abnormal” we were able to view life through a different lens and to creatively make different memories. One such precious one we will hold is the day we hosted the youth group’s Baptism Service in which C4, my niece, and eight other young people chose to follow Christ in water baptism; a truly sacred day that only happened because of 2020.
We choose joy. We choose faith over fear. We choose to rest in His loving-kindness. We are so grateful for so many wonderful memories of 2020 (including our family’s obsession with Hamilton!), grateful for our health (Covid recently hit our home, but we escaped symptom-free), and blessed by each one of you, whom we think of often and pray for consistently.
Our family wishes you a safe and happy Christmas season. We pray that God’s presence and peace would be in your hearts and homes. We can hold joy and grief at the same time. Right now, we do. In all things, God is faithful. Christmas is not cancelled, and neither is Hope.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
With much love, Colombo, Amy, C4, Maddy, Nathanael, Trevor, Rocco, & Renna DiSalvatore
(and Bauer & Phoebe)
Check on us through the year: www.amy-lovebeingamom.blogspot.com
And you can follow Maddy @maddydisalvatore on Instagram.
2020
