First of all, I want to wish you and your families a blessed Christmas and a wonderful holiday season from the entire Harry and Julie Jansen Kraemer family.
The family is beginning to grow. It used to be a total of seven (Julie, me, and five children — Suzie, Andrew, Shannon, Diane and Daniel). However, it grew to eight in 2021 when Suzie and Casey Clark got married.
And in September 2022 it grew to nine with the marriage of Andrew and Katelyn Deibert! We are truly blessed!!
So best wishes for 2023!!!
Wait, did I say 2023!!! Wow!
It is hard to believe that 2022 is coming to a close. Some folks say that it feels like 2022 just started, while others say it cannot end fast enough given the terrible war in Ukraine, significantly higher inflation, and rapidly increasing interest rates.
Despite the challenges and issues around the world, I believe it is important to take the time to be thankful for the different blessings each of us have. It could be health, maybe family, maybe friends, maybe our faith.
As in previous years, I was fortunate to attend my annual three day silent retreat in Lake Elmo, Minnesota at the Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House earlier this month. This retreat provides me the perfect opportunity to slow down, stop talking, and reflect on what is really important in my life:
Annual Self Reflection Questions
- What are my values?
- What do I stand for?
- What is my purpose?
- What really matters?
- How would I react if I was told I only had five days left to live?
- What kind of a leader do I want to be?
- What kind of an example do I want to be for others?
And here are a few pictures of the retreat setting on Lake Elmo. (And yes, it usually gets a little chilly in Minnesota by the first weekend of December!)
So, best wishes for 2023!! In my next post I will provide a few “opinions” on what to consider as you construct your New Year resolutions! 👍😁
Blessings to you and your family Harry! Loved the update!
Dear Harry – Congratulations for your growing family. That’s one of the joys of raising children. Someone else I also follow, John Maxwell, suggests doing a year end reflection. These are good questions to use. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Congratulations & Happy New Year, Harry & family!
Congratulations to the entire Kraemer clan, and thanks so much for the update. I seem to have lost direct contact with you all, but you remain close in my thoughts. Very best wishes to all!!