Hosanna Company: We made it through 2020!

With Ana in San Francisco, January

This was such a strange year! I’m sure we’ll be telling stories of 2020 for years to come, hopefully stories of overcoming obstacles and even being pleasantly surprised from time to time, even as so many suffered illness and death this year.

I greeted the New Year in San Francisco where Ana (my daughter) was working on the crew of the Cirque du Soleil show, “Amaluna”. It was great to get a look behind the scenes, plus run around sightseeing. A few weeks later, when the show moved to Sacramento, most of the crew got very sick (including Ana), but they didn’t know at the time to check for the new coronavirus. Thankfully, all recovered.

I continued my part-time work for the Seventh Day Baptist Conference, happy to be hired this year as an employee after two years as a self-supporting volunteer. My current title is New Contacts and Data Management Coordinator. I love interacting with the people who want to know more about SDBs. A few of them are starting new churches, which is always exciting. I also keep the new database humming along.

When the lockdowns started in March, I was glad to have Ana move in with me (my apartment has a guest bedroom). She was a good walking buddy (photo, right). Soon her new boyfriend, Andy Finchum (also from the Amaluna crew), was a regular visitor and I enjoyed getting to know him - he’s a great cook! A man of many talents, very smart, and very kind.

Ana sewing face masks; new creative outlet

Hanging out in my living room

Engagement photo in September

I was disappointed to cancel travel plans this year, but glad for online versions of events. It gave me time over the summer to train for a personal half-marathon which I walked in August (13 miles). It was Ana’s idea to give me a goal during the pandemic! I continue to walk 4 or 5 times a week, but just 3 miles or so around my neighborhood or Lake McIntosh, a lovely local reservoir. I also enjoy weekend hikes and bike rides.

Wedding rehearsal with her dad, Tim

The highlight of the year for me was Ana’s wedding on October 25. She and Andy got engaged in early September and planned for an outdoor wedding at our local church camp. A week before the wedding, a wildfire broke out near the camp, and then the weather turned cold, so we switched to Plan B and held the wedding indoors (a million thanks to Calvary Bible Church in Erie).

Announcing Mr. & Mrs. Finchum!

It was just 35 guests and all with face masks, etc. A foot of snow fell that day but it couldn’t put a damper on our celebration. It was a beautiful wedding with a radiant bride! I know that sounds trite, but she was truly shining with happiness. The groom was pretty shiny himself! Many thanks to all who contributed to make their day so special.

Susan (2nd from left), sisters and Mom, 2014

The low point of the year was just a month later. My sister, Susan Burdick-Balli, had been fighting serious health issues for several years. When it was clear she might not live to the end of the year, my sister, Mary Ellen, and I traveled to Illinois, despite the risks of COVID-19. God was watching over us every step of the way and many were praying.

We didn’t expect to see Susan except from a distance as she was transported to dialysis, but God worked a wonder and we were invited to have a family conference in her hospital room, staying all afternoon! Her husband, Joe, was with her, too. What a loving, faithful advocate he was for her.

Five days after we left Illinois, Hospice assisted so she could go to her home Thanksgiving night (another miracle), and she died peacefully the next day. I have mixed feelings about Facebook, but it was a great blessing to read posts recounting memories of Susan. She was the oldest of us four sisters and we miss her very much. Her obituary can be found at: www.affordablecremationbelvidere.com/obituary/Susan-BurdickBalli

Looking at 2020, I am thankful for ongoing good health, a new grand-niece, milestone birthdays in the family, and my new son-in-law. Also very thankful for regular time with my two granddaughters, Jo Ana (3 years old) and Elizabeth (16 months). Their parents, Paul and Aimée, continue to serve in the Navigators ministry for CU – Boulder, in innovative ways during the pandemic! I am blessed to be near them and to have a job that allows me to work from home. In 2021, I will return to looking for a second job to get to a full-time income.