In this unique year-end online service, we have the privilege of hearing from two families within our Menlo Church community, the Bests and the Rosales. Their stories are a testament to the faithfulness of God through life's transitions and challenges. As we navigate the complexities of life, their experiences offer us valuable insights into trusting God amidst uncertainty and change.

The Best family, with four children, three of whom are in college, have faced significant transitions over the past year. Yvonne shares her journey through the season of parenting and the challenges that come with it. She encourages those in similar situations to keep trusting and believing in a path forward, even when the way seems unclear. Chris, having undergone professional changes, reflects on the lessons learned and the importance of maintaining a healthy life rhythm. He emphasizes the need to trust God with future hopes and dreams, seeking His presence in every season.

Similarly, the Rosales family shares their experiences of God's surprising blessings over the past year. Ann reflects on the importance of living open-handedly, offering advice to younger generations about the value of relationships and the transient nature of material possessions. Rico speaks to the mid-career professionals, encouraging them to invest in relationships and be present in their current season, rather than waiting for retirement to find fulfillment.

Both families remind us that God is with us in every season, and His presence is enough. As we enter a new year, let us commit to new rhythms that align with the hope and commitments discussed today. May we find encouragement in these stories and trust God to guide us through the transitions and challenges we face.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **Trusting God in Uncertainty:** Life's transitions can be daunting, but trusting in God's plan provides a path forward. Even when the way seems unclear, maintaining faith and belief in His guidance is crucial. [07:49]

2. **Embracing Change with Faith:** Professional and personal changes are inevitable, but they offer opportunities for growth. Embracing these changes with faith allows us to learn valuable lessons and maintain a healthy life rhythm. [13:03]

3. **Living Open-Handedly:** Material possessions are transient, and living open-handedly allows us to focus on what truly matters—relationships and spiritual growth. This mindset encourages us to invest in what is eternal. [20:32]

4. **Being Present in Every Season:** Whether in mid-career or retirement, being present and investing in relationships is vital. God places us in specific seasons for a reason, and His presence is enough to fulfill us. [25:33]

5. **Committing to New Rhythms:** As we enter a new year, let us commit to rhythms that align with our spiritual goals. Rather than fleeting resolutions, focus on lasting commitments that foster hope and growth. [29:09]

**Youtube Chapters:**

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:49] - The Best Family's Journey
- [13:03] - Professional Changes and Lessons
- [17:33] - Encouragement for Younger Generations
- [20:32] - The Rosales Family's Story
- [25:33] - Advice for Mid-Career Professionals
- [29:09] - New Year Rhythms and Commitments

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
2. Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
3. Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

**Observation Questions:**
1. What were some of the key transitions the Best family faced over the past year, and how did they navigate these changes? [07:49]
2. How did Chris describe the impact of his professional changes on his life and family? [13:03]
3. What surprising blessings did the Rosales family experience, and how did these shape their perspective on life? [20:32]
4. What advice did Rico offer to mid-career professionals about investing in relationships? [25:33]

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. How does Proverbs 3:5-6 relate to the Best family's experience of trusting God during uncertain times? [07:49]
2. In what ways does Ecclesiastes 3:1 reflect the idea of being present in every season, as discussed by the Rosales family? [25:33]
3. How does the concept of living open-handedly, as mentioned by Ann, align with the teachings of Matthew 6:19-21? [20:32]
4. What lessons can be drawn from Chris's emphasis on maintaining a healthy life rhythm amidst professional changes? [13:03]

**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on a recent transition in your life. How did you trust God during this time, and what was the outcome? [07:49]
2. Identify a professional or personal change you are currently facing. How can you embrace this change with faith and seek God's guidance? [13:03]
3. Consider your current approach to material possessions. How can you begin to live more open-handedly and focus on what truly matters? [20:32]
4. Think about your current season of life. How can you be more present and invest in the relationships around you? [25:33]
5. As you enter the new year, what new rhythms can you commit to that align with your spiritual goals and foster growth? [29:09]
6. How can you encourage someone in your life who is going through a challenging transition, using insights from the Best and Rosales families? [17:33]
7. What specific steps can you take to ensure that God's presence is enough for you in every season of life? [25:33]

Day 1: Trusting God in Uncertain Times
In the midst of life's transitions, uncertainty can often feel overwhelming. The Best family, with their children entering college and facing professional changes, exemplifies the challenge of navigating these uncertain waters. Yet, they remind us that trusting in God's plan provides a path forward, even when the way seems unclear. Trusting God requires faith and belief in His guidance, knowing that He is with us in every season. As we face our own uncertainties, we are encouraged to lean into His presence and trust that He is working all things for our good. [07:49]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where uncertainty is causing you anxiety? How can you actively choose to trust God with this uncertainty today?


Day 2: Embracing Change with Faith
Change is an inevitable part of life, whether it be in our personal or professional spheres. The Best family shares their experiences of embracing change with faith, learning valuable lessons along the way. Chris, in particular, highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy life rhythm amidst professional transitions. Embracing change with faith allows us to grow and adapt, trusting that God is leading us through each season. As we encounter changes in our own lives, we are invited to see them as opportunities for growth and to seek God's presence in every moment. [13:03]

"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." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent change in your life. How can you embrace this change with faith and see it as an opportunity for growth?


Day 3: Living Open-Handedly
The Rosales family shares the importance of living open-handedly, recognizing the transient nature of material possessions. Ann encourages us to focus on what truly matters—relationships and spiritual growth. By living open-handedly, we are reminded to invest in what is eternal and to hold loosely to the things of this world. This mindset allows us to prioritize relationships and spiritual growth, finding fulfillment in what truly lasts. As we reflect on our own lives, we are challenged to consider how we can live more open-handedly and invest in what is eternal. [20:32]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one material possession or pursuit that you are holding onto too tightly? How can you begin to live more open-handedly in this area?


Day 4: Being Present in Every Season
Rico Rosales speaks to the importance of being present in every season of life, whether in mid-career or retirement. He encourages us to invest in relationships and to find fulfillment in the present moment, rather than waiting for a future season. God places us in specific seasons for a reason, and His presence is enough to fulfill us. As we navigate our own seasons, we are reminded to be present and to invest in the relationships and opportunities that God has placed before us. [25:33]

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you be more present in your current season of life? How can you invest in the relationships and opportunities around you today?


Day 5: Committing to New Rhythms
As we enter a new year, we are invited to commit to new rhythms that align with our spiritual goals. Rather than making fleeting resolutions, we are encouraged to focus on lasting commitments that foster hope and growth. The stories of the Best and Rosales families remind us of the importance of aligning our lives with God's purposes and seeking His guidance in every season. As we reflect on the year ahead, we are challenged to consider what new rhythms we can establish that will draw us closer to God and help us grow in our faith. [29:09]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one new rhythm or habit you can commit to this year that will help you grow spiritually? How can you ensure that this commitment is lasting and meaningful?

"Wow. Wow. So... So even if that's you right now and you're like, I'm not sure, keep trusting, keep believing there is a path forward. And, you know, I think we get fixated on what that has to be, right? But to hear that story is hopefully encouraging." [00:09:10] (17 seconds)


"If you were to talk to somebody that maybe is going through a really difficult time or a really discouraging time you know maybe you roll back a few years and you think about facing some of that uncertainty yourself and you're going well i hope somebody texts me or i hope i find the right book or i hope my son or daughter figures this out uh and they're in the midst of maybe even it's career oriented they just don't know how they're gonna get through what they're going through uh in a lot of ways you all are on the other side of a bunch of that." [00:11:09] (34 seconds)


"What you're describing, we can all feel. And even if you're not, like if for you, you go, I'm decades away from retirement. I think the rhythm of a Wednesday for you all or rhythm of however people create it is so important to just remind our soul that like that pace is not the pace we're always designed to run at." [00:15:16] (18 seconds)


"I wonder for you as a person and for your family, how has kind of that transition from a career in law enforcement to like work from home consult, like how has this change been felt?" [00:14:16] (13 seconds)


"Well, if we were to sort of narrow the focus to the last year, what are some surprises in the season that you're in where you'd say, man, God has really shown up in a unique way in our relationship or in our life circumstances, or even sort of this renewal or understanding of your purpose outside of work? Or outside of maybe the season that you were in of full -time caretaker?" [00:20:32] (28 seconds)


"And they're wondering, do I have to wait till I retire to invest in those relationships, to know people, to have the discoveries that you're having right now? What advice might you give to that mid -career person asking that kind of question?" [00:25:57] (14 seconds)

Hey, Menlo Church.

So glad to be with you as we continue our kind of unique year-end online service. I'm here with Chris and Yvonne today, and I am so excited for you to hear their story and a little bit of what God has been up to in their life.

So first of all, thank you for letting us invade your home with a bunch of camera equipment. Really appreciate that. But if people have never met you, maybe give them a sense of who you are. How long have you been at Menlo? How long have you guys been married? I'm assuming, based on how old you are, just a couple of years, newlyweds. But give us a sense for people that don't know you of an introduction.

Obviously, you have four kids, three in college. You know, life and seasons and change over the course of the last few years have been wild for everybody. But maybe talk a little bit as you kind of think about this last season, maybe even this last year. What have those key transitions been? And what's that been like to experience as a family?

Yvonne, how about for you? As you think about the season of parenting that you've been in, making some of those key transitions, what's that been like for you?

If you were talking to maybe a junior in high school or a senior in high school who heard you say that, and they're like, "Easy for you to say," what encouragement might you give them in the midst of applying or waiting for responses or maybe still waiting for that one parking spot to open up?

Wow. So even if that's you right now and you're like, "I'm not sure," keep trusting, keep believing there is a path forward. And, you know, I think we get fixated on what that has to be, right? But to hear that story is hopefully encouraging.

Have there been any parts of it in the last year that you would say, "Hey, this has been uniquely stretching for us, and we're navigating and kind of still in the process of learning how to adjust in this season?"

Yeah, if you were to talk to somebody that maybe is going through a really difficult time or a really discouraging time, you know, maybe you roll back a few years and you think about facing some of that uncertainty yourself, and you're going, "Well, I hope somebody texts me," or "I hope I find the right book," or "I hope my son or daughter figures this out," and they're in the midst of maybe even career-oriented challenges. They just don't know how they're going to get through what they're going through.

In a lot of ways, you all are on the other side of a bunch of that. But what might you kind of encourage your younger self with? Because there are some younger yous that are watching this right now. How much you encourage them that there is still hope ahead, even if they can't feel it right now?

Chris, obviously, over the course of the last season, you've had some professional changes. What are some of the things that you've learned over the course of the last two seasons that you're going to be able to do better in the future?

So if people don't know any of that or know you, if you wouldn't mind, maybe give us a sense or a look into kind of that part of your story as well.

I wonder for you as a person and for your family, how has kind of that transition from a career in law enforcement to work-from-home consulting been felt? I'm sure that there are probably ups and downs, but any insight you guys can give us on how that's felt?

What you're describing, we can all feel. And even if you're not, like if for you, you go, "I'm decades away from retirement," I think the rhythm of a Wednesday for you all or the rhythm of however people create it is so important to just remind our soul that that pace is not the pace we're always designed to run at.

If you were to think about, you know, you've experienced this change over the last year and several years professionally, and you were to project forward, what are you hoping or praying personally as a couple or as a family you get to see or experience? What are you saying, "God, this is where we would love for you to show up?" Is it more of the same? Is it something different? What are you hoping for in the year to come?

Really appreciate you guys being here, willing to give us a look into the season that you're in. And I think, you know, Kristen, you and I have interacted multiple times. I think if you don't know this family, you guys are so understated, like just low-key. You'd never know. But you guys are a force of faith at Menlo, and we are so tremendously thankful for you.

And a story like yours can give people a lot of hope who are going through something right now that they don't see the finish line for. So thanks. Thanks for being faithful. Thanks for trusting God in the middle of all of this. And thanks for inviting us into your home to talk about it.

Of course. Thanks so much, Menlo. Thanks for joining us. God bless you. See you soon.

Well, hey Menlo. So glad to be with you. Thanks for spending part of your week with us in this kind of unique church-at-home experience.

I am here today with Rico and Ann Rosales, longtime Menlo Church family. So thanks so much for welcoming us into your home and all of our stuff as well. Really appreciate that.

We're going to spend a little bit of time talking about life and transition in real-life examples. And so Ann and Rico are going to tell us a little bit about their story, and then I'm going to ask some follow-up questions. We'll just have a conversation.

So Ann and Rico, maybe give us a little bit of a sense of how long have you been at Menlo? Tell us about yourselves as much or as little as you want. Pretend it's only a conversation with me. Forget that thousands of people are watching. No problem.

Tell us a little bit. How long have you guys been married? Maybe even how did you meet?

Well, if we were to sort of narrow the focus to the last year, what are some surprises in the season that you're in where you'd say, "Man, God has really shown up in a unique way in our relationship or in our life circumstances," or even sort of this renewal or understanding of your purpose outside of work or outside of maybe the season that you were in of full-time caretaker?

What have been some surprising blessings that you've discovered in the last year?

Great. How about for you, Ann?

I want to double-click on that. You talked about how you've experienced losing things now, which is amazing. And I think that's probably not just because you're Ann, but because you're Ann in this season of life. So if you could go give advice to 25-year-old Ann, and there are some 25-year-old Anns and Andrews that are joining us today, what advice might you give to them?

What advice might you give someone else?

I've got maybe one more question that I'd love to ask, and that is if you are thinking about this next year over the course of the next 12 months, if you are praying for, "This is how I hope God shows up. This is what I hope will happen in the next 12 months," how would you answer that question?

Yeah. Is this a good time for me to tell you that we put your cell phone number...?

That's great.

Yeah. I think that's a good word. Maybe as a follow-up to you, just to think about for that person who's, you know, a young professional woman, young professional guy, at their peak career right now, they're hearing what you just said, and they're like, "What he's describing is me."

And they're wondering, "Do I have to wait till I retire to invest in those relationships, to know people, to have the discoveries that you're having right now?" What advice might you give to that mid-career person asking that kind of question?

All right, and you've had some time to think about it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, and I think whether you're mid-career with kids at home or mid-career as a high-powered attorney, I mean, I think there's a good word to say, "Wherever I am, let me be. Let me be all there."

You know? And this idea of bifurcation that I think sometimes happens, it's like, "Well, I can't do this at work, or I can't do this with my kids. I have to come up with something more."

And what if God is simply saying, "No, no, like I've placed you with the people that are around you in the season that you're in. It's okay for that to be enough because you're enough, and I'm with you in the middle."

Right. So I think that's a great word. I really appreciate the conversation. I know that there are going to be people where they're going to hear this and they go, "Wow, I'm not fully gone. Like, I see pieces of myself in Ann and Rico, and they're not perfect, but they've weathered some of the storms I feel like I'm in right now."

So thanks for that gift. Thanks for letting us come and invade your home. And I hope for you, as you've invested a few minutes in, there's a way that you're thinking about the next year, not just in terms of some New Year's resolutions that, by the way, statistically, you will have given up on in just a few weeks anyway, but in terms of new year rhythms that you're committing to for the kind of hope and really commitments that we've talked about today.

So from Menlo Church to you, happy new year, and we will see you again next weekend. God bless. Happy new year.