Dear Family and Friends,

For the Seith Family, 2023 started much like any other year, full of the ups and downs to which we’ve grown accustomed.

Starting 2023 on a high note in February, Joni unexpectedly had her book, Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity, which she’s been working on for the past 25 years, published. This set off a flurry of exciting talks, tv appearances and podcast interviews. Then, in March our rollercoaster ride plummeted as we lost our dear mom, mother-in-love, Grandma Gail (GG).

Within the same week, we celebrated the beautiful bedside marriage of Bob’s youngest sister, Andrea to her love, Matt, so that Gail could witness this beautiful Sacrament.

Then we witnessed Gail’s own reception of her final sacrament of Last Rites, her Food for the journey.

The prayers and support we all received during and after this time was astonishing and we thank you all for your love, support and prayers.

In April, for Eric’s 30th birthday, we were given the gift of meeting Eric’s girlfriend Caitie, whom he met while both were volunteering at Gift of Peace Home for homeless men and women that the Missionary of Charity sisters (St. Mother Teresa’ order) run.

In May, we learned that Fr. Chris’ book, Rekindling Wonder, Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World won First Place in Catholic Media Award’s Theology Category. We couldn’t be prouder!!!

Then when a film crew from Living Divine Mercy/EWTN came to spend the day with Joni and Bob about Joni’s book, Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity.

While being interviewed, we realized that they’d be including Joni’s out-of-print saint book Cloud of Witnesses, so her publisher decided to release a 25th Anniversary Edition of both her saint books into one new edition.

So, for Joni, June and July was spent re-writing poems, re-painting portraits, and preparing the work for a whole new generation of young (and old) readers. Cloud of Witnesses turned out amazing and Joni couldn’t be happier!!! All the while, Bob kept life moving forward with his patience and kindness, as well as his work and Deacon responsibilities. Oh, and he still hasn’t been able to retire because Joni keeps spending his paychecks on her medical treatments, recently her jaw issues. Geesh!!! You’d think she’d learn to just keep her mouth shut so it wouldn’t dislocate so much.

During the Summer, we were able to enjoy Kolbe, Karolyn and Caeli’s track meets and Karolyn and Brigid’s ballet recitals. Kolbe came in 4th place in his age group of about 120 participants. Woo Hoo Kolbe!!!  Then in August, we went on our joy-filled yearly family vacation at Ocean City.

In August we were blessed to learn that Kaitlyn and Chris were giving us another grandson in March of 2024.

At the end of the summer, Joni and Bob traveled to Irondale, AL so EWTN could tape 2 shows (part 1 and part 2) with Joni for the Women of Grace series with Johnette Benkovich Williams.

We were treated like royalty and had a terrific time!

            September brought a quick trip to Fort Worth to visit with Logan. We got to see Logan’s filming set-up for his YouTube channel, Logan Percussion.

He still plays with the Fort Worth Orchestra and teaches percussion at 2 schools, all which are so close that he bought an electric scooter as his main source of transport. If you haven’t seen Logan’s videos, they are hysterical! Check them out. We also got to spend time with Tierney and Joel’s family – 4 kiddos, 3 and under. What a hoot!!! They are incredible, yet tired parents!

In October we rejoiced at the news that the Seith family would grow by one more, as Caitie said, “Yes!” to Eric’s marriage proposal on top of Cross Mountain in Medjugorje where they went on pilgrimage.

November rounded out the year with Bob and Joni attending our Archdiocese’ Deaconate Convocation, where Joni was the first woman ever to be a Keynote Speaker for this yearly event. (Her talk begins at the 1hr, 31min mark.) Then Christmas was celebrated at the Seith house where all the kids were able to gather. (Such a blessing!!!) Not sure about Bob, but Joni looked forward to ending 2023 quietly and restfully counting all her blessings, which is her wish for you!

There has been so much more going on this year for the Seiths and if you want to see and hear more, I encourage you to “follow” and check out the rest of our blog where Joni posts a bunch of fun goings-on with the Seiths. (Check out the post “Beauty is Not Always Pretty” (Joni’s favorite post which is a tribute to Gail and the Seith Family,) and the “Events” page for links to fun videos where even Sammy the Monster-Pup gets in on the act.

From the Seith Family to you –

Our love and prayers that 2024 will be filled with many blessings!

Bob, Joni, and Sammy too