2009: A Year in Review

This morning I read Proverbs 31. If you're a female, you definitely need to read this. It's encouraging to see how women are so important and can lead a successful and fulfilling life while taking care of a family and helping others while still using the gifts and talents she has. If you're a guy you should read this too, especially if you're single. This is the kind of woman you want. You want a woman who is wise, blessed, loving to others, not lazy and yes - beautiful inside and out.

The last few days I've been reflective. And after reading I thought, "Have I been this woman this past year?" Well, it's been a great year, but there's always room to improve. This year a big goal was to build closer relationships with our Youth Group. We're getting there, but I hope to go much further with that next year. We also completed our Masters Degree, which was not easy, but definitely worthwhile. My job changed slightly for the better, which I'm very thankful for. We found out we're pregnant with our first child. Yes, I'd say it's been a good year!

I have a lot of goals and prayers for 2010. But I realized that Proverbs 31 sums up a lot of it. If I aim to be like this woman than I will be a successful and blessed woman of God, wife, mother, etc. That sounds good to me!

My favorite part is verse 25:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

That's going to be me - I'm going to laugh without fear of the future because I trust God. He knows what He is doing and I don't have to be afraid or worried at all.

New Neighbor & Miracles

This morning we had a surprise guest! Our new neighbor just a few doors down. She came to invite us for lunch this weekend. Why is this so special? Well, at the beginning of this year we prayed to get to know and bless our neighbors more this year. We definitely saw some small changes with some of our neighbors, but this time it was a little different. She came in and talked to us for almost an hour. It turns out the reason she felt so inclined to have us over is because the day she moved in Gabe said "Hello" to her and her son. He felt like he was supposed to mention that we're Youth Leaders at our church (which is true). She was just so excited there is another Christian in this community! She came in asking about where we go to church and what we do, etc. She mentioned that she felt comfortable talking with us even after knowing us for just a few minutes. She went on to tell us her story...and wow! She has been through some STUFF! But God has helped her and her family through so much to bring her to where she is now, which led us to talking about miracles.

I don't know if it's because of the movie "Miracle on 34th Street" or what, but I've observed that more people seem to believe in miracles during Christmastime. But the miracles, and hope that they may come, seem to dwindle as the season fades.

The other week I made a list of things, including some miracles, that I am expecting for 2010. Is it rude to "expect" God to do things? Nope! He says to ask and we'll receive - so I'm doing it! My husband and I are putting our lists together today and we'll print it out and post it somewhere we can see it each day. Then, as things happen, we can check them off. I'll keep you updated on how and when these miracles take place,...because they WILL. :)

Joy to the World!

This song has meant a lot to me ever since Christmas 2004. That was the day my husband proposed to me. He put my ring in a music box that played this song. It looked like a matchbox and when you pushed out the one side the little ice skaters went in a circle and the music played. The funny thing is he had showed me the box just 2 days prior at the store and asked if I liked it. However, I was in the middle of choosing some other gifts, so I wasn't really paying attention and I was like "whatever" when he showed me. He had already bought one, he just wanted to see what I thought. So I felt a little bad about that, but it really was sweet. :)

I still have the box and I think about that day every time I hear that song. On Christmas Eve we watched "The Preacher's Wife" with family, and I think Whitney Houston's version of this song is my favorite. (See video below).

So, what is joy exactly? It defined as "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something, or the expectation of something, exceptionally good". My Pastor talked about this today at church...and it was HILARIOUS! There is something so fun and freeing to be able to just laugh (even at yourself) and enjoy life! I'm finding that filling myself with joy, and acting like I'm happy (even if I might not be) not only makes me feel better, but it can be contagious! I might not be able to change other people's situations, but I can at least try to make them smile. That could change their whole day! I remember a few years ago, 2 nights before Christmas, my husband and I went out to dinner. We recognized a waitress we had had before, but she didn't serve us that night. When we had her a few months earlier she was pregnant and the father was out of the picture. Right before leaving the restaurant we got this feeling that we wanted to give her something. Just being married and substitute teaching didn't leave us with a lot of money; all we had left was a $5 bill. So we went to her and said, "We know this isn't much, but we'd like to give it to you to for your daughter. Merry Christmas!" She took it and said, "Thank you" as we went for the door. I took one last glance toward her and saw her crying happy, thankful tears.

I know it wasn't much, but I think it was just the fact that 2 complete strangers remembered her and her situation and wanted to bless to her with what we had. And guess what? It made our night too. To see her face and to know we had helped in a small way - wow! It just makes you feel so good! A smile, a small gift, a kind word...all these things can bring joy to a person and to yourself. This is one of the ways I want to keep the Christmas spirit going all year.

In the beginning...

Welcome to my experiment.

During the Christmas season many will sing songs and send cards to loved ones saying things like, "Hope your joy this season will last throughout the year!" But do they really mean it? Why is it if I mention the word "Christmas" in March, June, September, or even just before Thanksgiving, that many will groan? Why do the excitement of Valentines and fireworks pale in comparison to the mistletoe and carols of Christmas? I'm challenging myself...what would happen if I intentionally try to live with the same joy and spirit of Christmas all year? Is it possible?

December 26th is the perfect time to start this experiment. If you're anything like me, you may go through Christmas-withdrawal for the first few days (maybe weeks!) afterward. I want to watch "Elf" eight more times, smell the fresh cut tree (without them dying) and see the halls decked for a few more weeks...but they'll be packed away soon. Am I the only one that finds January to be the darkest time of the year - once the houses are no longer lit up? So, I've decided that Christmas won't end this year...at least not the spirit and meaning behind it.

I am challenging myself to live every day keeping in mind that miracles happen, that hope never disappoints, that I can be filled with joy every day and that faith and love are real and lasting. These are not just "good thoughts" to pass around during the holidays. I want to share my life, laughs and inspirations each day for the next year, all leading up to Christmas 2010. It will be an exciting year for my husband and me because we're expecting our first child in the summer, which will be an adventure in itself! Let's see what else this year has in store!

Time will tell whether this can really work, or if it's just wishful thinking. But I'm willing to take the time to find out.