Family Update -2023 Year in Review

We have so much to be thankful for this year. The beginning of the year brought big changes as our church merged with a local church plant and Steven transitioned from being full-time pastor to working for himself again, this time launching a food truck business—a gourmet hot dog cart called Dad’s Dogs. We’ve had a fun and successful year and have treasured working as a family team in the business. We continue to sell Dad’s Disappearing Salsa/Dip Mix online and at events throughout the year. We even run both businesses at a number of events and have such great kids who help make it work! We absolutely love working as a family and we’re thankful for the opportunity that these businesses give us to do that.

The kids are growing in their passions and interests and each one has such creative skills that continually amaze us. Jake (22), who, for years now, has shared his creative content on his YouTube channel (JakeMakes), has been recruited by The King of Random YouTube channel to help them in a new venture that will be launched soon. He plans to move into a place of his own in the next few months, with a fellow YouTuber who is moving here from Hawaii. We’re excited to get to know him! And we’re exited Jake will stay local!

Zack (21), has continued developing his skills in filmmaking and acting—producing his own short films and films for other people, as well as filming weddings. He and a couple filmmaker friends are moving to Atlanta in mid-January to pursue opportunities there. He will be looking for work, so if you know of any opportunities please contact him—he’s so good at what he does! @zackmena We will miss Zack so much!! (Pray for me!😭) But we are so excited for him to enter this exciting new phase of life. 

Ben (18) graduated from high school this year and is about to finish his certification to teach English as a second language. He is also diligently learning Spanish. He has such a gift for languages! He can’t wait to start traveling the world! We are praying for God to open opportunities for him to serve. 

Sam (17) got baptized this year! It’s exciting to see his passion to share the gospel with others. He also had opportunities to be a counselor at two different summer camps and is always a favorite with the kids. He continues to create amazing leatherwork, selling custom pieces through his Instagram page @little_man_leather. We are amazed at his self discipline in trying to finish homeschool as well as his new passion for fitness and calisthenics. 

Hailey (15) enjoys collecting and reading old books, writing poetry and prose, doing macrame, crocheting, drawing and hanging out with her siblings. She’s such a sweetheart, with a fun and gentle nature. And she is looking forward to learning to drive this year! 🙈😁

Jed (14), Abel (12) and Ezra (10) built the most awesome fort on our land this year—complete with a drawbridge, tower, and dungeon! They also started a business called “Balloon Bros,” selling animal balloons and balloon yo-yos at some of the markets we go to. Jed wants to improve his building skills and hopes to build a carport with Dad this year. Abel has taken a special interest in the piano and is diligently teaching himself how to play; he spends hours playing. Ezra could spend every waking hour with his Jurassic World Legos. 😜😆

Haven (9) and Hazel (7) are not such little girls anymore, they are growing up too fast. They love to play together and are both very expressive, or dare I say dramatic? 😁😜 They are enjoying our new kitten, Marv, as well as their newfound love for the show Bluey (ok we all love Bluey). Haven learned to crochet this year and made a baby blanket!

Last, but definitely not least, is Joey (2), who hands down gets more attention than any kid on earth. He may be the most affectionate and verbally expressive child we’ve had. He can carry on full conversations! And multiple times a day he hugs me and says, “I like you Mama.” ❤️ I’m being intentional to not be too busy to lay down with him for nap and bedtime—to snuggle and read him a story or just talk. 

These days go by in the blink of an eye and I don’t want to miss it. It’s the same with all of our kids—trying to cherish each stage and age. Each day with them is a treasure because it’s the little moments that make up a life. This season of having them all at home is coming to a close and with it comes lots of emotions, but I’m striving to live in the present moment and not borrow worries or grief from the future. I am going to enjoy this present moment, right here and now and give thanks for it!! 

Wow… Congratulations if you made it to the end of this letter! Thank you for caring about our family. We appreciate your prayers for us because, as you can imagine, tending to this many hearts is a huge task. It’s mixed with joys and sorrows, fun and pain. We can all relate to that, right? Our prayer is that each of us find JOY in the midst of the unique journey God has us on, because as children of the King, we are given daily LOVE and GRACE in abundance! Thank you Jesus!

Much Love,

The Mena Family