In May, Isaac graduated from Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary (CBTS) with his Master of Arts in Theological Studies. Isaac’s parents flew into Cleveland and we all drove down to Owensboro, Kentucky, for graduation weekend. It was so nice that they were able to celebrate with us! Back in Ohio, we enjoyed a combined graduation party with our friend Laura who had also just completed her Masters.

Right before graduation, Isaac's work hours had been reduced. (He had been working from home as a consultant for users of an academic database software.) While chatting with seminary staff, he was told that an IT position might be opening up at the seminary soon. Once we got home from graduation, Isaac emailed his resume and waited to hear when the position would be posted.

In June, Isaac's position was eliminated from the company he'd been working for. He started putting out applications in earnest to other related or teaching positions. While waiting to hear back, he had time to finish his schoolwork (although he walked at graduation he still had some assignments to complete), read some books for fun, and volunteer at church. He worked a brief stint as a DoorDash driver, but then word spread that he was available, and his time quickly filled up with odd jobs. He kept himself busy!

Throughout the summer, God kept closing doors for job opportunities. In August, the IT position at Isaac’s seminary was finally posted and we both drove down to Kentucky again for an in-person interview at CBTS. Isaac was offered the position a couple weeks later. God was clearly opening this door, so we started preparing to walk through it! We crammed our last month in Ohio full of time with friends and family, managed to pack all our stuff in the time that was left, found a cute house to rent in 1 weekend, and made the 7-hour drive southwest (and to a new time zone) at the end of October. We were very grateful for help from friends on both sides of the move, and especially to Courtney's mom, stepdad Frank, and sister Brooke who helped us drive our stuff down and start unpacking. Courtney is also thankful that she can continue her work for Grace Church of Mentor remotely.

While the job search and move may have been the most dramatic part of our year, there were plenty of other things we enjoyed. In January, we both helped at Arch Ministries' National Pastors' Fellowship in Florida. We attended CBTS's Covenant Conference on the Law of God in Alabama in March. Courtney surprised Isaac with an amazing anniversary getaway in Amish country, where we stayed the night in a restored caboose and toured an impressive steam locomotive collection the next day! It was fantastic!

In June, we made a multi-leg trip out West. We celebrated Courtney's sister Izzy's graduation in Santa Barbara, CA, then spent a couple days with our first Coiro-side nephew, born to Jordan and Jordan in February. After that, we headed to Pinedale for Isaac's sister Carlena's wedding to Cole. We enjoyed having so much family time in one trip!

Courtney also made a couple girls trips this year – one to Gatlinburg, TN, with 2 friends from church and another to Wales with her mom, aunts, and cousins! She enjoyed the amazing scenery, seeing five castles in six days, and seeing the house where her great-grandfather lived before he immigrated to the US.

We were thankful to spend Thanksgiving in Wyoming again and Lord-willing are looking forward to Christmas in Ohio!

We love you all and wish you a merry holiday season, finding joy in the people you love and experiencing the hope that can only come through the one who is

the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
(Taken from the Nicene Creed)

Isaac & Courtney Best

Shoveling Snow

Isaac shovels a path out to Courtney's car during a heavy snow.

Meeting Aunt Eva

While in Alabama for the Covenant Conference, we met up with Courtney's Aunt Eva.

March Trip

We stopped at a Buc-ee's mega convenience store (look it up) with over 100 fuel pumps on our way home from the conference.

Hiking in the Smokies

Courtney, Pam, and Jude on their girls trip.

Visiting Buc-ee's

They also stopped at a Buc-ee's (seriously, look it up).

Isaac with B&LE #643

Isaac stands next to Bessemer & Lake Erie #643, likely the world's largest non-articulated steam locomotive. It is the last surviving instance of its class, a massive locomotive.

Easter with Natalie

We love spending time with Courtney's sister Natalie whenever she's home from Peru.

Graduation Road Trip

Driving with Isaac's parents. Interior design courtesy of car's previous owner.

Trip to California

Courtney's sister Izzy graduated with her Masters of Science in Environmental Science and Managment.

Family in California

After Izzy's graduation, we spent time in Costa Mesa with Courtney's brother & sister-in-law, Jordan and Jordan. We toured Laguna Beach with them and Courtney's dad & step-mom Tracey.

Courtney & Emmett

Aunt Courtney got to spend some quality time with her new nephew.

Isaac & Emmett

Emmett even let Uncle Isaac hold him.

Visting Grandma

We spent the night at Grandma Johnson's before flying home from out way-out-West trip.

Ice Cream with the Jordan

When Jordan and Jordan visited Ohio, we took them to our favorite neighborhood ice cream shop, conveniently located within walking distance of our home.

Courtney's Trip to Wales

Courtney with her mom, aunts, and cousins in front of Caerphilly Castle.

Stir cooking class with Daniel & Kate

Fun and delicious experience with Courtney's brother and sister-in-law.

Church Life Group

Our First Five Years life group threw us a going away party before we moved. Love you guys!

Our Old Home

One last picture at our home for the first 2.5 years of married life.

The Moving Crew

Tiredly posing with Courtney's mom, step-dad Frank, & sister Brooke, the MVPs of our move.

Exploring Owensboro with Brooke

We took her to one of the only places we knew, the riverfront walk.

Ohio Friends Visiting

Miriam and Jude were our first visitors from Ohio! They stopped by "on their way" home from the Smoky Mountains. We took them to the riverfront too.

Christmas Tree Hunt

Brooke enthusiastically joined the annual Best family tradition. (Isaac and Brooke got a big one!)

Selfie at Thanksgiving

We had so much fun with family, we forgot to take a group picture.

Birthday Pie

Celebrating Isaac's birthday with new friends.