At the root of all that we share here, we hope that our core values are apparent, and that they both anchor our philosophy and drive our actions. We've defined 5 core values that define our heart and what we deem most important for us.

These core values were first penned in 2016 during the Yearly Rhythms retreat that our church hosts each January, and they have been refined and reviewed each year since. This event is partly a planning retreat, but greater emphasis is placed on how the core values of each participant will be central to life. So we take time to consider and plan how our core values will take shape in our home, or will shape each member of our family this year.

Each person or couple we've asked so far came up with a different set of core values. Some had 3-4, others listed several more, but the intent is to narrow a handful of primary driving values that supersede other noble or good values.

Here are our top 5.

1. Centered on Christ

2. Committed to Each Other

3. Free to live

4. Blessed to be a Blessing

5. Celebration