Every year since middle school, I’ve written a reflection of the previous year and hopes for the coming year in a journal. I would dedicate time usually on New Year’s Eve or Day to the task. I honestly never look forward to the task but thoroughly enjoy reviewing previous years’ happenings. So, without further adieu…
Daniel and I have had the ultimate blessing of watching Hannah transform from infant to baby to toddler in 2011. It’s truly amazing what development happens in such a short time. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my role as mommy, and have added to it another role—Missions Assistant, a job I started in April at our church. The 12-hour per week job has been an incredible blessing. I have gotten to know some amazing people who serve the Lord wholeheartedly, and grow in my faith. It’s been a great way to balance my desire to feel like I’m contributing to God’s Kingdom and loving my family. I’m blessed to have such wonderful caretakers for Hannah while I work. Before she was born, I prayed for the people who would nurture and educate her. My prayers have been answered through these women. Hannah loves going to play and I love that she gets to be around other kids. My job has been a blessing to us and an answer to prayer.
Daniel also began a new job in March of 2011. He is still consulting on executive compensation, but for a smaller company. He works for Meridian, which spun off from Hewitt, the place where Daniel and I met—a return to our roots. Daniel is happy with the new job, which is again a testament to God’s provision and guidance.
In addition to working at the church three mornings a week, I’m there nearly every other day with various commitments. At the beginning of 2011, I joined a Bible Study class called the Amazing Collection, in which we study a book of the Bible each week. I’ve never accepted the challenge of reading through the Bible before, so this is giving me a fantastic big picture. I study with and a group of amazing women. We’ve studied from Genesis through Isaiah thus far. We take a break for the summer, so we’ll be done mid-2013.
On Fridays, I attend MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). I’ve met a lot of new women since none of my tablemates are members of DBC. It’s a fun, encouraging time I look forward to. I also gave up my 7 year membership to LA Fitness and joined our church’s fitness center. I squeeze in workout time whenever possible. I also still am a part of praise choir, a Sunday school class, and small group, but my newest role is taking on a significant part of the leadership of the women’s ministry. I’ve been challenged and grown in a new way through this role. My project right now is putting together a 40 day devotion guide, written by women in leadership roles in the church to distribute to every woman who comes through our doors—no small task! This project will be girded in much prayer!
We had some good vacations this year. We had a good time this summer with my family in the North Carolina mountains. Daniel and I celebrated our 6th anniversary with a trip to Siesta Key—our first overnight away from Hannah. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) In the fall we traveled to Vermont and New Hampshire for a fall foliage trip and the opportunity to knock two more states off our list. We made some trips to both grandparents in Nashville and Orlando. We spent Thanksgiving in Nashville and Christmas in Orlando. There were a couple of unplanned trips, as we traveled to north Florida twice for funerals (Daniel’s Uncle Ted and our sister in law Chrissy’s father) and Daniel went to Nashville in August for his dad’s heart valve replacement surgery. We’re thankful that B.A. has recovered well from the surgery and doesn’t oink (it’s a pig heart valve).
I’m currently having a blast with some new Christmas gifts, indulging in this new technology—Pandora, Keurig machine, ipod Touch along with all of the apps, blue tooth music speaker—all totally new gadgets for me! I was reluctant to dive into the apple world for fear it would steal my time and confuse me, but I’m glad I did. Hard to imagine what Hannah’s world will be like when she’s an adult.
I love it when the Lord gives me a verse and keeps bringing it to the forefront of my mind. For the last part of 2011, it was the verse from James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” I believe the Lord really wanted me to focus on being thankful for the people, things, circumstances, and opportunities in my life. Recently, I’ve been led to reflect on the fruit of the Spirit. I’ve also been convicted of my need for stopping uncontrolled eating and maintaining a nutritious diet. And what is the last fruit mentioned on the list? (Gal 5:22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
My body has been through a lot the past 2 years—pregnancy, miscarriage, pregnancy, c-section, and breastfeeding for a year. To be honest, I’m looking forward to being selfish for awhile. So it is only a week into the New Year, but I’ve committed to taking steps to eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly. I’ve started keeping a daily log of everything I eat—a true eye opener and being intentional about fitting in the gym time. I find when I start moving, I have momentum to get things done around the house. Bodies in motion stay in motion, I suppose.
My “resolution” for 2012 is ask the Lord to mature the fruit of the Spirit in my life. Each of these character traits reflect the nature of Christ and are the by-products of His control in my life. If I am truly surrendering my life to the Lord then love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control should be evident.
Other things to look forward to in 2012 is re-decorating our master bedroom and turning 30!
It’s going to be a good year!
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