LYH Bell Family Year in Review 2025
We’re quickly approaching 2026, and 2025 has been a good year full of God’s blessings. This recap turned into a long read, so apologies up front.
We’ve already had Christmas celebrations with Sam and Rachel as they headed to Texas for Christmas (more on their story shortly). We had a Christmas party tonight at the golf course, and there will be plenty of food and fellowship ahead, including a cookie bake-off we are having with friends on Sunday (the scale will have a stern word with me in January).
Kari’s the undisputed glue that holds together our household. She's inherited that midnight reading gene from her Grandma Ruth, but she's upgraded to Audible, so now she gets a lot of her reading/listening done in the middle of the night. Now that Sam has moved out, she's ripped out the carpet from his room, painted the walls, and is putting hardwood down. She’s talking about new windows for next year, but I can’t see that happening right now.
We continue with our early morning routine. I kick the day off early with a fresh pot of coffee. Kari's not far behind, scrolling her phone and updating me on local news (I follow the national and she mostly the local, Calgary and Lynchburg). After diving into her Bible reading and knocking back a few cups of coffee, she is organizing meals and shopping lists, etc. The big change over the last few years is that I work from my home office so often she’ll prep, and I’ll get the meal started later in the day.
Early mornings find me parked in the sunroom, reading and typing away at my blog (it’s part Bible commentary and part leadership commentary with the occasional rant about the state of the union). I post the blogs to LinkedIn and am always thankful for the comments, likes, and encouragement from my family and friends. While I blog, Kari blitzes around the house getting a full day's worth of chores and organizing done (Mary and Martha) before I chauffeur her to work, it’s only a five-minute drive. Kari’s been handling admin and reception at a local medical clinic for three years now, which gets her out of the house, which is key since I'm still remote-working, and we've got Ben, Sol, and Abe (and the dogs) holding down the fort with us.
Meghan and Tyler will hit the nine-year marriage milestone in April; time's flying faster and faster. They're expecting a baby girl in June 2026, adding some pink to their blue-dominated crew. They are super excited about their little girl arriving. They let Jackson (7) do the gender reveal, where he read the email from the doctor and picked the pink clothing for a very excited family. So exciting. Kari and I miss those days of having little kids, but we’ve kinda forgotten how it is a three-ring circus on a caffeine drip, church, jobs, and wrangling energetic kids. That’s what Meghan and Tyler are enjoying now. Thankfully, they have a big SUV that is perpetually full of cookie crumbs, boys’ toys, and car seats. Kari and I are hoping to take the grandsons to the North Carolina Zoo again this winter.
Meghan and Tyler upgraded to a bigger house last Christmas, and it's been a game-changer. Their big adventure last fall was a European cruise, with highlights in the UK and the historic beaches of Normandy. Tyler had represented the Army at the D-Day anniversary events the year before, so he was especially keen to take Meghan back to see those small towns. Tyler’s still a full-time Army National Guard, crushing it as Virginia's top recruiter out of his LU office. Meghan teaches at a homeschool hybrid program, leads a women's ministry at church, and has joined a choir this year. Pre-cruise, they both got serious about fitness, shed weight, and looked great. They are putting the oldest two in public school in January.
Kari's Tuesday "date nights" with the grandsons are a treasure. Nothing extravagant, just one-on-one time with Grandma, and they often help us prepare supper, paint, puzzle, read stories, and then we drop them back with their parents.
Our four grandsons are Jackson (7), Archer (5), Colton (3), and Becket (1). They make Sunday dinners at our house lively. Jackson is confident, smart, gentle, and inquisitive, sensitive yet bold and talkative, lately ditching his dinosaur focus for a Pokémon fixation. He and his brothers have formed a neighborhood "gang" that's keeping Meghan on her toes, mostly defusing mom-drama over backyard shenanigans. Archer is the strong, silent type, but sharp as a tack. He's all in on Star Wars, building with toys, and asking great questions. Pokemon cards are his thing as well; imagine their shock discovering the uncle's dusty, disorganized basement stash of Pokemon cards.
Colton is a pint-sized warrior, stubborn as a mule (eats like a bird but somehow growing like a weed on a homogenized milk diet), and on date-night days, his bag's packed at dawn. Becket took his sweet time walking (nearly 18 months), but now he's zooming everywhere. Becket’s big, square grin lights up rooms like a Christmas tree, and though he's not chatty, he gets his point across loud and clear. Right now, Meghan and Tyler are hosting the Voogd crew from Billings, Montana, for an early Christmas bash. We'll catch them bright and early on the big day, and Meghan advised me that they are hosting Eggs Benedict at their place this year, so that will be a first. Alas, change must come.
Samuel's 2025 was epic. He wrapped up a wild three-year OPT stint after his Master’s degree at a local tech firm, what a rollercoaster job. We prayed hard about his future (Canada or USA?), and God delivered in clutch fashion: a solid gig in data and fundraising at Liberty University's Office of Development, plus a long-term work visa. He started dating Rachel around this time last year, and by summer, wedding talk intensified as Sam asked Rachel’s dad for his blessing (in July) to ask the big question (which Sam finally popped late September).
Rachel's wrapping up her undergrad in Communications. She's salt-of-the-earth, fun, humble, godly, beautiful, and kind. She’s also thoughtful and gets along with Kari, Meghan, and Bailey so well. And she’s been texting buddies with my mom all year now, so that’s fun. She's also remarkably generous (we dubbed her Mrs. Claus last week after she ignored our family name-draw and gifted everyone anyway). Rachel's wedding dress was stunning. Her dad, Ken (a surgeon who's retired from the Air Force, but anything but retired), and mom Lori-Anne (an academic and fellow LU grad) raised a big crew of six daughters and one son. They lived all over the world when Rachel was growing up, but settled down in Crowley, Texas, a couple of years ago.
In September, Kari and I flew to Dallas for a work conference (and to meet Rachel's family). They hosted us for a fantastic lunch out on their acreage, and we joined them for church in Fort Worth (what an absolute gem of a town, cowboy charm meets big-city energy). We've also enjoyed spending time with Rachel's sister, Grace (another LU grad). Grace and Rachel both did year-long mission trips (as did Samuel) after high school.
Sam and Rachel sprung an engagement surprise in late September, then tied the knot soon after (October 4th) in a Lynchburg park ceremony officiated by Rachel’s grandpa Jim (engineer, seminary prof, missionary). We hosted the reception back at our house and went around the room, and everyone told Sam and Rachel stories, and we feasted on BBQ.
It was wonderful having Rachel’s whole family fly in, including her grandma Joy. Right after Christmas, Sam and Rachel are heading off to Mexico for their honeymoon, a generous gift from Rachel's parents that has them both super excited. The most exciting thing about Sam and Rachel is that they both love Jesus and are both wanting to honor God in their marriage. Hopefully, more news to follow shortly from the other "LYH Bells."
Benjamin kicked off a Master's in Strategic Communications at LU last fall (on track to finish by summer 2026). For a guy who never wanted to go to University, he's spent a ton of time there. And he's good at it. He's a strong writer, and he's always been able to see things that others miss. He works part-time in LU Athletics and full-time dad to his labradoodle, Ace. Ben has some really good friends (one in DC and another here in LYH). And he, like his brothers, is an incredible uncle. As soon as the nephews come into the house, they start shouting, "Ben" or "Abe," and they usually have Pokémon cards or some other item they want to show the Uncles. (More on Ben’s recent golf passion below). Please pray for Ben's career as we want him to find something great.
Solomon launched into a Master's in Epidemiology last fall (graduating Christmas 2026). He loves it. I had to look it up on Google to understand what it meant when he told me about it. He's been working in Events at LU, and post-undergrad, he did a one-year practicum working in the psych ward of the local children's hospital (as staff, not a patient, important distinction). He liked the work, but decided it wasn't his long-term calling. Silver lining: that's where he met fiancée Bailey, who's finishing her Master's in Education Counseling and still works at the hospital.
Bailey is beautiful, kind, smart, easy-going, and eclectic. She is an animal lover, a foodie, and has an uncanny number of similar interests with Sol. It's not hard to see how Solomon fell in love with her. Over US Thanksgiving, Bailey's parents, Patty and Chuck, along with her cute Nana (Chuck's mom, Jo Ann), came down from Connecticut for the holiday. We got to spend lots of time with them, Chuck and I cooked the turkey and baked pies, and the ladies (Kari, Meghan, Rachel, Bailey, and Patty) had success finding Bailey's wedding dress (Jo Ann generously bought it for her). Nana was super fun to have around.
Just like with Rachel, we're thankful for the way God has brought Bailey into our family. She was born and raised in Connecticut (just NW of NYC). Chuck has had a long career in IT and is a bi-vocational pastor, and Patty is a counselor. Sol has had a few family trips with Bailey’s family already, and shortly after Christmas, they are off to Missouri to see Patty’s family and then on a cruise in June. Their wedding's locked for October 2026 in Rustburg, VA (just east of Lynchburg), and they're enjoying the planning process.
Abraham's steadily grinding through his undergrad in computers (a few classes left). He's been working part-time at a local putt-putt place for three or four years. Gaming's his passion; he's leveled up big time, attending a major tournament in Austin, Texas, and then Knoxville, TN, in 2025. He's also flying to another big one in Miami in early January, where he will compete with a team of guys from the University of Alabama Huntsville. It's hard to get a nicer guy than Abe. He doesn't like attention or singing, but we love to hear his baritone voice. He's an amazing Uncle and brother, and son. After he returns from his Miami competition, he wants to secure a full-time job and earn some money. Prayers for Abe's career are also appreciated.
Ben, Tyler, and Sam dragged us all into golf this year. Happily. I hadn't swung a club in five years, but a local course's family deal sealed it. We mostly cart, but this coming year I want to walk more. Ben and Sam hit it weekly, while Abe, Sol, and I are easing in. Summers saw Tyler sneaking in early-morning 9-hole rounds pre-work.
Our kids are all adults now, but one of the real joys is that they still genuinely love each other's company and get along great. Solomon's dog Stella (a black lab) is a common feature in my office, and her little brother Ace is also under my charge when Ben is out of the house. When Rachel and Sam come over with their dog, Honey, the dogs get wild (good thing we still have old floors!). We continue to pray for godly wives for Ben and Abe. There is a lot of uncertainty being in the USA on work/study visas, but we’re trusting God has a great plan - and that we'll all obediently heed Him.
Kari and I squeezed in some fun travels this year. February Washington, DC trip with Meghan, Tyler, and the boys, museums galore. April brought a week of driving in El Salvador. We were surprised by the cleanliness, safe vibes, and friendly people. Great food too. We did a walking tour of downtown San Salvador. It was Easter and the churches were packed. We summited a volcano, stayed at boutique hotels, and toured a coffee production facility. Kari's sworn off Central America for now, so 2026's eyeing Portugal, Spain, or Argentina. We'll see.
June brought a work conference for me in Seattle, along with a lovely visit with the Freeman family (Rhonda, Kevin, Wanda, and her husband Jim). Great people. I billetted with them back in the early '90s during my Seattle Thunderbird days. They have all done really well with their careers, and Rhonda has a big brood of grandkids herself, and my friend Kevin is trying his hand at a second career. So good to reconnect with them.
In July, Kari and I took a trip to visit our friends Carla and Ben, who live just north of Nashville, TN. They were our good friends when we lived in Victoria, BC. The highlight was touring President Andrew Jackson's Hermitage (along with great fireworks and a wonderful time with friends).
July also meant a big family trip with Meghan, Tyler, and the boys to Saskatoon, Sylvan Lake, and Calgary, always a blast heading home, especially seeing family. Kari's dad's thriving in a top-notch Saskatoon care facility; sister Nicole's a superstar with support and video updates. Kari's mom and Steve are doing well despite lots of health challenges (Linda's fall eye surgery went well).
My folks in Sylvan are healthy and strong for their early '80s, making good upgrades to their new house in town and trying not to slip on the ice. We stayed with my brother James, Lauren, and Bailey in Calgary (they are doing great), and we are excited to show them around LYH when they come down for Sol’s wedding.
We love life in Lynchburg; it's got small-town charm with plenty of quirks. The downtown YMCA is old and under-equipped, but the people and the fitness classes make it fun. And, how amazing that they keep an open Bible right on the entryway counter. Kari and I are Saturday morning regulars at the Y's "old ladies" classes.
I’ve been blessed with great friends here. We talk politics, Scripture, and life. I'm truly thankful for these men. We’ve found a good, Bible believing church in downtown LYH. We love the focus on Jesus, the tradition, the liturgy, the singing, and the non-flashy style have all been a real breath of fresh air. Ben, Abe, Solomon, Samuel, Rachel, and Bailey all worship with us there, and we love hearing the boys' deep voices join in the hymns. Meghan and Tyler attend a big church in town that has great marriage groups and good kids' programs.
God willing, we'll see you down here in Lynchburg in 2026, drop in for coffee - I'd love to put a pot on for you.
We're profoundly thankful to call the United States home; we cherish the freedoms and opportunities here. I pray that God will help us share His Good News well with others this Christmas and in the year ahead. May many people turn to Jesus, repent of sin, and be born anew with the Holy Spirit's new birth. As Isaiah 9:6 declares, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” As 1 Corinthians 15:57 says: “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I pray God’s rich blessing on all of our family and friends this Christmas. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas season filled with joy, peace, and love - may your shortbread be sweet and buttery.
With love, Merry Christmas!
-David (Kari and family)
✝️🎄
Sam and Rachel's engagement
Our crew at the wedding.
The grandsons.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
Bailey and Solomon
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