Christmas 2024 in Columbus
Have you ever had a moment where you realized you’re exactly where you’re meant to be, doing exactly what you’re meant to do? That’s been our experience since leaving Virginia.
On December 4th, we packed our minivan to the brim and braved three snowstorms on our way to Columbus, Ohio—where I was born and raised. I left when I was Akalei’s age (10 years old) and had only been back once in 30 years before a quick stop in September on our way to Indiana for my speaking debut at the KidzMatter ministry conference. Now, here we are celebrating Christmas after three eventful weeks!
Merry Christmas from Poolside
Rainbow and Daddy
She always puts her finger up to her cheek when you say, “Cheese!” She’s adorable, we know!
We’re currently living in our third hotel in three weeks. When we first arrived in Columbus, we stayed at a Staybridge Suites, which had all the amenities we could ask for—free laundry and breakfast! But by the end of our second week, we got the news: the hotel had been sold, and all guests had to leave.
It was a bummer because we were more than comfortable there. We found a cheaper option at an Extended Stay America across from the mall, but we hated it. The math didn’t add up when we factored in food and laundry costs, and the space wasn’t cozy. So, after one night, we packed up again and landed at another Staybridge Suites nearby. This one has a pool, and the kids are in heaven!
We plan to stay here until our income stabilizes and we’re ready to apply for a rental while we wait for our new home to be ready.
Work, Work, Work, Work, Work
Drey had started the transfer process with Amazon before the strike in New York led to a hiring freeze—but it’s likely for the best. He’ll be back with OrangeTheory Fitness, where he worked for five years in Virginia, starting in the new year. He’s thrilled because fitness isn’t just a passion for Drey—it’s a lifestyle. Meanwhile, I still haven’t worked out since the move, and I’m not sure I plan to!
I’ll be going back to teaching part-time while focusing on building my ministry consulting business and launching The Visibility Project and Initiative, a nonprofit aimed at helping churches become more inclusive for families affected by special needs and disabilities.
As always, we’re working around homeschooling and church—it’s just what we do. The kids know the drill, and we don’t want to let them down.
We’ve recently begun DoorDashing on the side to make ends meet, and we’re so grateful to everyone who supported us through Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal while we waited for finances to stabilize. Asking for help wasn’t easy, but it reminded us of the impact a loving community can make.
Kids Will Be Kids
In the last three weeks, we’ve managed maybe seven full days of structured homeschooling. But if you know the Locks, you know we make everything a learning opportunity. These days, the world truly is our classroom.
The pool is recess, breakfast conversations with fellow hotel guests double as geography lessons, and hot cocoa experiments at the tea bar cover chemistry. Even math gets woven in when the kids calculate how many scones they can save for later if each person gets two.
It’s chaotic, but we’re embracing the adventure—and man, I really love homeschooling.
One word- Wicked!
We were able to splurge only once and it was worth it. I took Akalei, Phoenix, and Rainbow to see Wicked and Drey took River-Leigh, Pharaoh-Omari, and Sevyn-Shiloh to see Moana 2. We still haven’t stopped singing defying gravity!
Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, Jesus Christ Was Born
The kids worked hard on our tree!
We also made a game of shooting nerf darts at random targets. Fun times.
This year, our Christmas tree is taped to the wall and covered with prayer requests—some small, some big, but all meaningful. At the top of our list? That the kids would make new friends. And God delivered!
On our second night in town, we met a woman who invited us to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). It’s similar to Community Bible Study if you’re familiar. We made it to the last session before their winter break, and it was amazing. We’re studying Revelation—what a book! The kids had a blast, and I was so grateful for the fellowship. Lord knows how much I miss my Virginia friends.
We’ve also been attending my family’s church, where my great-uncle pastored for decades, and my cousin is now leading. It’s surreal being part of this legacy. We’re praying for guidance on how to serve here, so God can be glorified for generations to come at Bible Way Church.
Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us! There’s so much more to share, but I’ll save it for the next update—so stay tuned.
We love you and are praying for you. Please pray for and with us.
Until next time, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and keep looking up, Fam!
Xoxo,
The Locks
