Joshua Tree Ornament - 2025

The birth of our Joshua Tree began as an idea I had in 2016 - since IG no longer allows you to search by hashtag, I put all my old "stones of remembrance" posts on my blog - Because I think it's important for people to remember all the great things God has done in His great rescue of us. And its also important to share these things with the next generations, so that they can see the struggles and the victories that come with living the life God gave us.

"That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in times to come, saying, what do you mean by these stones? Then you shall answer them...And these stones will be a memorial for the children...forever" (Josh 4:6-7)

2025

He is better.

2 Corinthians 4:7

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."

What are we afraid will happen?

What are we afraid will happen if we are not in complete control?

If I can be honest, I am afraid - as a person - it has defined much of my life, as far as I can remember, at first it was a fear of ambulances, and cracks between stairs and floor boards. You all know me - it's birds, it's nature, it's everything, isn't it? In order to function in this crazy world, I can control most things with my physical surroundings and make it through with hopefully some semblance of normalcy. But then you know, some things aren't able to be controlled by simply avoiding the great outdoors. What about things we want, and can't have? What about the relationships we have, and realize that other people have their own levels of desire for control, and it's almost never to let me take complete charge. What about when we come to the place of knowing - truly knowing -that God is the one who's in complete control, and can be trusted. And that he's better than what I wanted. Better than what I'd been manipulating the world at large to achieve. Better than ____. Fill in the blank, it's a guarantee, he's better. I will say, for me, it's inspired a kind of courage I've never known before. A kind of confidence that can't be shaken. I mean, I'm still not willing to go anywhere near anything with feathers - but all that other stuff? I've seen him work so many times, that I certainly can't doubt taking a step back, and letting him work. At first, it made me afraid. Because what will this look like without my input? What will this look like if I just let go of my desires and my methods of achievement? But then, it made me brave, because the answer is, I don't know - but I know it will be better, because God has proven faithful, and gentle with me for my whole life, even in the hard things, and I know with confidence as we close out one year and start up another - He is better.

It's been my thought for 2025, there have been high highs and some lows I selfishly wish I could skip over. And I have had plans. And a way to go about those plans - without forgetting that He is better than what I think I need. Some of those plans worked out the way I thought they would, and some did not. Deeply grateful for both, and will be happy to be reminded of this truth every year as I hang this ornament.

Joshua Tree Ornament 2023

So I guess I didn't post a tribute to my 2023 ornament - I think as I recall, it's because I didn't get it in time - the girl I used to make all my ornament up until this point stopped making them. And I struggled to find someone on etsy (or anywhere) that could make me one in a similar style - calligraphy, and woodburning skills both required.

I wasn't thrilled with the result, and had it re-done in 2025 with another person I found online, she didn't do wood burning, which is what the first iteration was, but she did do calligraphy, and I like it better. 

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In any case, I still have the note on my phone about the ornament I picked for that year. 

So, technically written in December 2023, though not "published" until now.

"I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it" 

This passage from 1 John 2:21 spoke to me in 2023. Something about obedience. Something about doing the things we know to do, and not being told about these things because we're clueless and need instruction, but because we need encouragement to stay the course. And that when we do that thing and obey, and get the "reward" that comes with that - its something people can see. And when they see, how do they see it? Does it look like I'm "getting" because I'm striving to achieve a high station? Or does it look it like I am obedient and dependent? That my earthly rewards, however valuable anyone should esteem them to be, point only back to the goodness of the God I serve? "Lord, make my way prosperous, not that I achieve high station, but that my life may be an exhibit to the value of knowing God." Jim Elliot said these words, and knowing that - the cost of his obedience, and the fact that his life became an exhibit indeed to the value in knowing God is great inspiration for the journey. It's a worthy striving, if the goals are in service to others, and of the Kingdom of God. 

Joshua Tree Ornament 2024

Written December 2024

 Another Christmas is here, and it's time to add to our Joshua Tree (for how this tree started and what it means, click my hashtags #joshuatreemonuments or #darbyjaneornaments). I love this tree and what it signifies - "in the future, when your children ask you 'what do these stones mean to you?', you should tell them..." (Joshua 4:6-7)

2024
This year we were confronted with a first. And it snuck up quickly. So quickly in fact, that it feels abrupt - that the old saying "time is a thief" feels like it could settle neatly into my thinking. Because we now have 1, soon to be 2 adult children. And I slow blinked when I didn't mean to, I guess. They got big, and that felt fast. As much as that wise old saying feels true, I actually don't feel robbed. Time hasn't taken my kids from me, it's in fact given me more time to be there for them. 3 years ago now, my mom nearly died, but she didn't. We've had 3 opportunities this year alone to spend time with her, a true gift. My dad is getting older, my grandpa celebrated his 90th. Brian and I both faced some health check realities this year. Brian's parents live locally now and we get to spend time with them...it's all a gift. We exist in a broken down - broken up - broken old world. We cannot escape the reality that this world is preparing us for the next one, and the time we've been given to spend with each other, learning, growing, loving... It's all a gift. I am grateful for every single second ❤️

Re-done in 2025!

*I had this ornament re-done from the original featured in the reel in 2025.*

Joshua Tree Ornament 2022

Written December 2022

I anticipate adding an ornament each year to the Joshua Tree (for how this tree started and what it means, click my hashtags #joshuatreemonuments or #darbyjaneornaments). I love this tree and what it signifies - "in the future, when your children ask you 'what do these stones mean to you?', you should tell them..." (Joshua 4:6-7)

2022
This year has been marked with overwhelming gratefulness - for things that are wholly beyond my ability to control. God choosing to heal and extend life. People whose decisions could impact me positively or negatively, choosing to seek wisdom and follow the Lord. People who have chosen to forebear with me and forgive me and deal graciously with me {and my ever developing character}. These are all things that I can't influence. But God has seen fit to have my boundary lines fall in pleasant places. I have a beautiful inheritance, indeed. (Psalm 16:6) Don't read "beautiful" and think I mean every aspect of life is naturally perfect, or problem free - but understand it as beauty, captured.

Forged, fought for, and created. I have seen those days. There are years when it seems like more of a fight; more valley than high place, great effort and little reward. But then the hard pays off and there is a reward. And it's ok to breathe it in and enjoy it. Sometimes though, it's not something you achieved, but something God's grace allowed you to witness and participate in. And that's what I felt more of this year...I was a witness to beauty I didn't create. But I am willingly participating in it, and it's a joy to rest and revel in these things as well. I'm grateful - oh so very grateful - for lines that have fallen quite pleasantly for me in 2022. 

Joshua Tree Ornament 2021

Written December 2021

The beginnings of things are exciting, full of promise of what could be. The ending of things comes with a resignation of sorts - whether you accomplished much or little, whether it worked out or it didn't, time is up. It can feel like a pit in your stomach. It can feel satisfied. It can feel many different ways I suppose, but the same sense of hope you had in the beginning lacks. It's over. If you wanted to change something, it would have had to be before, in the middle place. That's the place where you can renew hope and change course. My ornament this year was my theme for this year - with high highs and low lows, and a couple of do-overs thrown in - all of which I didn't see coming when I picked "A Hidden Life" last January. But God knew what was upcoming, and as with each chapter of my life, prepared me adequately for it. Do not read that preparation as easy, or without complaint. It's not my first chapter - my hope is well-worn. And it's not my last chapter, as the Lord sees fit to bless me with more time - I'm not stuck with any sort of resignation to an ending yet. I still have life left to grow. Just because it wasn't the year I thought it would be doesn't mean I wasn't up to the challenge. He has done a mighty work in my life - and will continue to, even if it looks messy in the middle sometimes. There's always more than you can see, even if you can see it all. A motive. A feeling. An instinct. We all live hidden lives in part, full of unremarkable faithfulness in the middle places. Well, that faithfulness bit? That's a choice, not a given. But ultimately it's good for me to recognize that change and growth and falling forward will eventually lead me to a life I can be happy to say was sustained thread by thread, fiber by fiber by One who is Faithful and True. I'm grateful for this chapter. I give glad thanks to the Author of it for that - because if I were writing it, I might have changed the narrative - and oh how much I would have missed.

***
Each year I look forward to adding another ornament to our Joshua Tree. Click the hashtags to read previous years posts, and the explanation of our special tree. #darbyjaneornaments #joshuatreemonuments

Joshua Tree Ornament 2020

 Written December 2020. 

If you've followed me for any length of time, you've probably seen our advent traditions involving the Jesse tree, and then at the inspiration of my late Grandma Shantz, the creation of our Joshua tree (from Joshua 4:6-7, "stones" of remembrance). It's become an anticipated event of my heart to have a new ornament made each year to add to the story of my life. If you've missed the rest, you can catch up with #darbyjaneornaments.

This past Christmas, looking forward to 2020, I didn't really have a massive burden on my heart or anything, but I felt the Lord showing me the theme "Remain". He has naturally always remained faithful to me, and I felt the burden of making sure I was doing all I could to remain steadfast. Of choosing to be faithful, in all the ways he chooses to work. I could never have predicted what would become of the year for me, (and for most of us) as we navigated the twists and turns of Covid19. I think it was Mr Rogers who encouraged children, as a way of bringing comfort in times of crisis or chaos to "look for the helpers". Well, I guess you could apply that same sentiment more broadly - and look for all the ways God is choosing to work in us, through us, and around us. Watching for ALL the ways He is working, whether I approve, or not (because why do I think His plans must be the ones I've already laid out?). For all the kindness He shows, whether I can see it in the moment, or not. For all the areas He asks me to change, and repent, and put in the hard work, when I usually don't want to. I know that 2020 was a truly awful year for most - and in some ways I echo that - I was inconvenienced, I lost precious time with loved ones, and I lost a dear friend. Those things didn't feel great. But in other ways, it ways it was fulfilling. I had a chance to remain faithful to the God who has planned my days and knows my heart. This year, I had a chance to remain faithful to the God who has planned my days and knows my heart. To stay in the Word when I had to 'fight for it' because actually going to church got weird (I read through the entire Bible this year for the first time in my life, and if left me wanting to do it again, and again). To continue to attempt to love others in a manner worthy of one who bears the name of Christ. To show up with whatever is needed for a friend walking through their darkest days. To see that God, in his kindness, has put exclamation points where I would put periods. He isn't finished yet! He is working! It is exciting - and a honour - to remain. As I walk into 2021 somewhat trepidatiously, because it seems these days like I just never know what I'm about to walk into - I know Who I can count on, and that is the mattering part.

Ornament by @cahaburn

Joshua Tree Ornament 2019

 Written December 2019

I started out this year wrestling with questions. Big ones, & little ones, too. The wrestling felt unsolvable, and the questions seemed unanswerable, like a really good mystery. But, I was reading Job (and listened to a Piper series), and it really struck me how Job had the ability to see beyond circumstance into God's goodness in all things - God has given? Blessed is He! God has taken? Blessed be His name! Though I would desire my posture to always be so sure, it often is not. So I had this verse on a sticky note, stuck on my bathroom mirror for the entirety of 2019 "...He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.", along with a quote from Paul Tripp, "The best theology will not remove mystery from your life, so rest is found in trusting the One who rules, is all, and knows no mystery." My questions might feel big, but they aren't a mystery to the one who knows all. My circumstance might go up or down, but He is to be praised in either case, because of His surpassing interest in seeing all things work together for my good. These are circumstances not happening *to* me, they are happening *for* me, and that perspective alone should remove quite a bit of mystery, should it not? It should come as no surprise to me, (and yet, I was surprised), that many of my questions were answered this year. That my God is faithful, as He's always been, to bring to the light the idols of my heart and life. '19 provided me a front row seat, yet again, to see firsthand the goodness of the Lord, & the surprising circumstances wherein it is often discovered. To see His redemption, His forgiveness, and His love for His own. I saw answers to specific long-standing prayers, both big & small. It was a banner year, and though it flew by, will not soon fade from memory. I will be blessed for years to come, when I look back on this portion of my life and recall all the ways the Lord worked to move on my behalf, & show Himself strong and capable, and at the very center of it all - slowly and tenderly dealing with me, my expectations, and my questions, leading me to acknowledge as one with first hand experience - He knows no mystery.

Joshua Tree Ornament 2018

 Written December 2018

"That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in times to come, saying, what do you mean by these stones? Then you shall answer them...And these stones will be a memorial for the children...forever" (Josh 4:6-7). My theme for 2018 was Ps 27:13-14. I picked these verses as the Lord impressed them upon my heart in late Dec/early Jan of this year. Before I had any idea of the things I was about to walk through. It was another year of seeing God's mercy in all (2016), and seeing other small parts of the story of my rescue unfold (2017), and hope. A year of disappointment, of truth, of waiting, of hoping, of revelation, of courage, and of goodness. A lot of life packed into 12 short months. But He is good, and He does good. Not theoretically, but actually, and specifically, for me. I wait, and I hope, with confidence and courage. Grateful to be ending another year with lessons & memories that I will carry in my heart forever, and for an ornament with which to remember them by.

Tis Mercy All - 2016 & 2017 Ornaments

 Written November, 2017. 

Some people in recent years started having a "word" for the year. I started having a theme. Something the Lord puts on my heart that typifies my journey for that year. I decided to put each theme yearly, on an ornament. "That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in times to come, saying, what do you mean by these stones? Then you shall answer them...And these stones will be a memorial for the children...forever" (Josh 4:6-7) Because I think it's important for people to remember all the great things God has done in His great rescue of us. And its also important to share these things with the next generations, so that they can see the struggles and the victories that come with living the life God gave us. My Grandma Shantz gave me an ornament each year, from 1979 to 2015 (making them ahead, as she passed in 2010). Every year we take them out, hang them up and talk. Stories about her, about life, about what I was doing that year...in 2016 I was a little battle-weary, you might say. It wasn't the year I wanted it to be in many ways, & yet it surpassed expectations in other ways. And there was no new ornament from Grandma to mark the season. So I made my own (well actually @cahaburn made it). 'Tis mercy all, so rich and free...That old hymn had been on my heart all year, and spoke clearly to summarize the ups-and-downs. Because His mercy to me was evident in my brightest day & in my darkest night. Unshakeable goodness, even in circumstances I wouldn't have imagined, but also wouldn't change, for His loves display was so sure. Could I see that it was ALL a mercy of God? Truly? My theme for 2017, summarized "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert". This year, this verse has been on display in my livingroom & always close to my mind. He has forged so many "new things", and, instead of my tendency to not pay attention, I was watching & waiting & seeing all the ways He was working and changing me. And that was worthy of another ornament, I thought ❤ #darbyjaneornaments

Our Joshua Tree - how it started

I have recorded these thoughts in posts on Instagram in the past, but they have since changed the app and made it impossible to search by hashtag anymore - and I like looking back at these, so I will put them here, for more permanent reminders and a place to "look it up and remember" every year.

Written, December 2019

I've been collecting ornaments over the last few years. They tell part of the story that's been given to me, by a God who knows me, and still loves me patiently, and pursues me relentlessly. It's my story, I suppose, but really it's - front and center stage - His faithfulness. In 2016 I decided to start making an ornament to commemorate what He'd done that year, by way of His outstanding goodness, ways he's shown himself trustworthy, and praise worthy, and always always faithful - more about Him, and less about me. This year adding yet another ornament to the collection, I decided to give them all a more permanent home of remembrance..."That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in times to come, saying, what do you mean by these stones? Then you shall answer them...And these stones will be a memorial for the children...forever" (Josh 4:6-7). I thought maybe I'd give these ornaments their very own tree.

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We already have a Jesse tree, where we follow God's plan of redemption, all the way from creation, to Christ "...a shoot will spring up, from the stump of Jesse." (Isa 11:1) as Ann Voskamp writes, "If we want our Christmas tree to really stand wondrous and full of meaning, the tree we really need to understand and be astonished by is the family tree of Jesus Christ. Because this is our story - your story. God doesn't cut off all the big cheaters, bad liars, weaselly sneakers, battling brothers, fighting families, and brokenhearted from His family tree...He adopts all the messy and broken and imperfect people into His tree and His story and His heart..."

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I thought about just adding my special ornaments to the Jesse tree - but then thought about it some more...what about a Joshua tree? Outside of the {hopefully forgettable} U2 reference, could it be a good name for this act of remembrance each Christmas season? We reflect and remember all He's done in the past, and look forward, living in great anticipation for the day we know is coming - the heavens will be rent, the sky will be opened, and our King will descend to reign and dwell and live with us forever.

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The name given to the Son of God is Jesus which is a version of the name Joshua, meaning "the LORD is salvation" In the Old Testament, the first Joshua saved the Israelites through courageous battles and leadership, bringing them into the Promised Land. In the New Testament, the second Joshua (Jesus) saved us through a battle He fought alone, making a way for His people to enter the Promised Land of God's presence. Jesus came to save people from their sins. What the first Joshua could never have done, as obedient and faithful as he was, the second Joshua was born to accomplish.

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I decided I was sold on the idea, and purchased another tree to add to our Christmas traditions. The Joshua tree. Because we must always be ready to tell of the marvelous works of the Lord in our lives, and we must always be able to look back and see His hand in all the circumstances we find ourselves in. This tree is reserved for those ornaments that speak specifically to the "stones of remembrance" that the first Joshua spoke of. It contains 1 ornament with the name of each family member, and 1 ornament for each year, beginning in 2016 - I can't wait to add this year's ornament, which I'll unveil in a different post. You can see all the past ornaments under #darbyjaneornaments on Instagram. And I can't wait to see what the Lord will do in all the years to come

Ireland - Final Thoughts

Well friends, That is 36 posts for a 10 day trip (8 days in country, a day on either end for travel) - We highly recommend!!

Are there things we'd do differently? Maybe - but nothing big, just small tweaks - this suited us very well. If we went back, we wouldn't do it exactly like this again, but that is only because we did it this way the first time.

It was a LOT of driving - we didn't mind this, but, it was a lot - covering less ground/seeing fewer things would make the driving days shorter, but then in exchange, you see less of the country.

I didn't pick anything to do that was considered "hiking" - and yet - we walked, and sometimes hiked, quite a bit. Lots of mountains, lots of hills. If you want to see them up close, you have to walk them, and that is sometimes difficult. Be aware that if you truly don't want to walk a lot, you can still see Ireland, but not in quite the same way.

The world is a beautiful place, and this is only one small corner of it! I can't wait to explore some more...potential next trip locations - Italy, Greece, Chile - we'll see!! (Still have Scotland and England on the list too, but might try something different first, and then back to it, since we got a taste of that here).

If you ever have any questions about what we did, how we did it, costs etc, reach out! I am happy to tell you about what we did, if it's helpful!

Inis Oirr

Kerry Cliffs

Muckross House

Mizen Head

Cliffs of Moher

Kylemore Abbey

Rock of Cashel

Ireland - Dublin again, wrapping it up

We decided to stay in a hotel near the airport for peace of mind. We returned the rental car on Saturday, and made use of that time to figure out the hotels shuttle system. Seemed the best way, so there were no delays on Sunday morning for leaving. I booked us at the Clayton, and it was a really nice space! Air conditioning again!! Haha! To be honest, we didn't really need it, as it gets chilly at nights.

We ate at the restaurant in the lobby, and it was yummy as well!

Look what I found on the table! It's the "brown sauce" that was on my McDonald's breakfast wrap. 

Sunday morning we caught our shuttle and were at the airport in time to eat brekkie before the flight. At a bar, with people drinking beers at 7am. How?!? 😂. We decided on the same thing, avocado toast, with 2 eggs, and "streaky bacon", which is what is normal in America. The first "normal" bacon we'd had all trip! Decided to skip the beers 😂😂

After a flight, in which they served us a full breakfast, and lunch (and snacks) -The flight there was 5hr45mins, the flight home was closer to 7hrs - this is typical because of tailwinds/headwinds apparently.

Then we landed in Philly and saw Brian's heartsong near our connecting gate - Smashburger. European food is much MUCH prettier! But, a quick 1hr flight out of Philly and we're home!

Ireland - Athlone

Well, it's time to pack up and hit the road - again! This time travelling across the country - from Galway to Dublin. We have a flight in the morning! 

This is Ireland's favourite flavour - if your meal was served with crisps, they were cheese and onion - seems to be "plain" to them. Very yummy! 

I heard good things from all my Instagram friends that Barry's Tea was amazing. So I stole it from the tray in our room to bring home and try.

Lucky for us, Ireland is TINY - About 1/3 the size of the state of Virginia. The Irish don't seem to travel far/much compared to Americans, where a 3hr drive is basically a commute to work 😂. We left Galway and had a leisurely drive across Ireland - there were some stops we could make, but as you can tell, we had been going pretty hard and were tired - we decided on one stop in the middle, Athlone.

Found a gas station on the way home - time to vacuum out all our crumbs and get the rental ready to return.

Athlone

Inside Sean's Pub - the oldest Pub in Ireland, dating back to 900AD, Oldest in Ireland, and possibly the world! Serving drinks to people for over a thousand years! We didn't do anything but peak inside - they didn't serve food, and we're not big drinkers 😂. They were burning peat, so it smelled amazing, and the floor was covered in sawdust. My pic of the inside turned out blurry 😒

Found a place open - which took some doing - It was a Saturday, and apparently lunching out is not much of a thing in Athlone, with almost all places being open much later in the day for dinner. Alas, weather looked great, so we left coats and umbrellas in the car. Rookie mistake.

Food at the Rustic Root, it was so delicious! We really ate like kings here - so many amazing food options, and not very expensive at all!

Suddenly, it started pouring on our walk back to the car - we got soaked and cold. A true Irish farewell, I suppose 😂