2010 = A Glorious Year of Writing

Well - it's 2010. New year...new blog background and font. In case you were wondering why things changed.

I announced my resolutions for 2010 to the world via facebook about a week and a half ago and I've officially started the year off by not following a single one of my resolutions successfully. Except for one...maybe...and now two. After posting on FB that I was pondering my resolutions I received some strong negative feedback from people who think resolutions are pointless. However, I actually followed through on my two resolutions for 2009 (for the most part) so they can't be all bad...So in case some of you aren't on facebook and are curious what my 2010 resolutions are, here you go: Finish reading the Bible in a (2) year(s), write one hand written letter a month, write one song a month, write two blogs a month (at minimum) and incorporate the words magnificent, outstanding, and glorious into my vocabulary more often.

The only one I have started doing is using the words magnificent, outstanding, and glorious every now and then...and I guess now, I have started writing on my blog.

I do feel like at the beginning of each year it's a good time to reflect on the previous year and see what was accomplished and look forward to what's ahead. So with that said...here are some of the things I learned in 2009:

• I learned that labor (child labor) is beyond a doubt hard...not like I didn't know that already, but I saw how hard is was for Joanna a year ago today...and then I became an auntie to Ayla Joy Michael. Sweet sweet girl. One might say she's outstanding.
• I then lived with a baby and got to see what life is really like with a newborn...all I can say is wow...in a good crazy and dramatic way babies change everything.
• I learned that Tony Horton means business...P90X is super intense and I plan on doing it once a year till I die...maybe I will actually get through the whole thing next time.
• I learned that family vacation with the Ewings is dramatically different than it is with the Michaels, however, both are so much fun and bring about tons of memories.
• I learned that I will soon have a new brother. Not via my parents (obvi) but via a matrimony between Andrea dn Michael Giordano on Feb. 13 of this year.
• I learned that i panic and josh remains calm when jobs are lost...and on a non-related note (heavy sarcasm here folks...), I learned that God is 100% faithful and loves to surprise us. Our savings and unemployment were about to run dry and the Lord opened the Flood Gates of surprise and dropped Josh's new job in our laps via Craigs List.
• I learned that I want to constantly live with eternity in mind.
• I learned that everyone had babies in 2009 and that I'm still not ready for babies...probably not for another 3-4 years.
• I learned that Rick Joyner is an amazing writer. Everyone must read "The Vision" by him...it will change your perspective.
• I learned that coupons can save you millions...well maybe not millions, but LOTS and LOTS!
• I learned that I want to worship with all my heart and hold nothing back. I mean, should I not jump around, shout, dance or sing in tongues just because others might think it's weird when my heart is bursting and wants to give God praise in that way? Heck no, is the answer in case you were wondering. I want to be undignified and worship Him with all my might. He deserves the best, and a fear of man is not ever worth it.
• I learned that things change, people move, get married, have babies, take new jobs, etc. and I should hold on to them loosely and send them off with blessing. Genuine blessing...not just talk or a facade that I'm happy for the new direction their life is taking, but that I legitimately want the Lord to pour out His favor on their lives in their new situation.
• I learned that Josh is super supportive.
• I learned that a money envelope system is kinda hard, but in the long run will be best for our finances.
• I learned that Mac is better than PC (just kidding, I already knew this...but we got a Mac in 2009. yay!)
• I learned that people break promises and God doesn't.
• I learned that painting rooms isn't as easy or cheap as people say it is...especially when every other wall is a different color.
• I learned that a california king bed is amazing, but it does cut back the cuddle time.
• I learned that our youth group is crazy hyper sometimes, but I love them all and I want to see each and every on of them become passionate and fiery disciples for the Lord.
• I learned that being a house owner can be great, but also frustrating when everything breaks at the same time.
• I learned that I will never run the Country Music 1/2 marathon again...it's too crowded and stressful.
• I learned that Romans 8:38 - 39 is magnificent and it's probably my favorite promise in the Bible.

Whew...now onward to 2010 with a heart full of hope, a mouth full of joy, and life lived to the full.

Bring it on.

In case you were wondering...this is what I have been doing recently and this is why my posts have been less frequent.

I found all this random stuff in a cart...

It happened to be the exact colors we wanted to paint our office...

And our guest room...

I randomly ran into these people at O'Charleys...

Then I found exact replicas of Nate/Jo and Josh and I in ornament form.

This guy showed up on the scene and forced us to play some crazy game called "Brokey"

Paula Dean showed up at the Michael's house and cooked this meal for us then we asked her to take a picture of all of us around the food she made.

I accidently drank to much Welch's grape juice and turned into a raisin.

Willow pretended to be Max - the dog from the Grinch.

The unibomber and his cousin tried to get in the background of a picture i was taking with becca and emily...oh wait - they actually got in the picture...what the heck.

...

Willow forced Josh to let her drive...shortly after this picture was taken we wrecked.

Santa walked in the room.

...

We ate all the food in the picture below...

All the food we ate...including the gords.

I decided to join the political world and practiced kissing babies whilst posing for a photo at the same time...

A 3 headed monster showed up at my house and ate everyone.

Okay that last part was a lie - the 3 headed monster is really just Me, Jo, and Andrea being weird.

Some Things I'm Happy About

Life is so busy right now. That seems to be a common theme among all bloggers this Christmas. Regardless of the busyness of the season I feel immensely blessed. Two days ago Josh and I went on a walk and on the way just started naming the things we are thankful for and I was overwhelmed. Often times we get so busy that we don't even realize all that we have to be thankful for. So, since I never wrote a thanksgiving post I'm going to "count my blessings" in the way of Bing Crosby in White Christmas...except without the singing.

• My faithful, serving, loving husband who puts so much thought into making me feel like a princess.
• My Parents and in-laws for showing me a great example of marriage and staying together.
• My mom for encouraging me in everything that I do and praying fiercely for me to grow up as a woman of God. I love your sense of humor and desire to know more of God. I see so much of myself in you.
  
• My Dad for being patient and loving with wisdom. For stretching my perspective. Inspiring me to be better at guitar. And being able to fix everything you ever laid eyes on that was broken.
  
• My sisters. I love each of them dearly. (Even the in-laws). They are all so different and make me want to deepen my relationship with them each and every day. My life is richer because they are a part of it. Kara - you a tons of fun. I love that we are candid with one another and are growing closer to each other as we get older. Specs - Sweet woman of God . I look up to you in so many ways. Em - Amazing sense of humor. Super smart and talented. You are the perfect fit for our family. I love that as you get older you are more of a friend and not just a lil sis. Drassy - You have taught me so much in the short time I've known you. You are playing a pivotal part in my walk with the Lord and I'm grateful. Jo Jo - You are one of the most easy going people i've ever met. It makes you fun to be around and talk to.
  
• My brother in law. Nate - you are one of the most encouraging people i've ever met. You are really great at connecting with what people are passionate about and then building on that passion.
• My in-laws - Doug - so goofy. Things are never dull when you are around. You love your family so much, it shows. Sarah - you accepted your daughter in-laws (and soon to be son in law) as your own. You have a very loving and giving spirit.
• My church.
  
• My pastor and pastor's wife.
  
• The worship team. You all are so talented.
  
• The Ostranders
• The Reids (amazing new friends!)
• The Atnips (Depth of knowledge and fun!)
  
• My past - even though it isn't the best in the world, i'm glad it has shaped me to be who i am today.
• Our youth group. They are crazy but so much fun!
  
• my condo.
• Mine and Josh's health.
  
• The Choates.
  
• The vineyard in Cambellsville and all the people in it.
• Our cars.
• The talent I've been blessed with and the encouragement i've received from friends and family to steward the talent well.
  
• My job. I'm never bored. I love my co-workers. I couldn't ask for more.
  
• Josh's job. He is finally happy.
• The bible
• My guitars
• My keyboard
  
• Jesus for being who he is...good, loving, gracious, faithful, mighty, powerful, precious, awesome. and for dying for me. I can't thank you enough.

I am blessed.

Something New

This blog is delinquently overdue and I should have written it about 3 weeks ago, however I honestly haven't had a moment to spare in quite sometime. And here I sit, 11:00 p.m. on a Saturday night, in my PJs, with the only sound in the background being willow's jingling collar or nervous bark every time she hears a car roll by.

The title of this blog should actually be - "lots of things new", but that doesn't have quite the same ring as "Something New" The month of October has brought about many changes. As you recall in my post several months ago when I had to say goodbye to some good friends as they moved back to Florida I pondered how I would react when my housemates/brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, and Niece moved out and headed on the first step to fulfilling their calling to be Bible translators. Well, that moment has come in gone in the past month. For the most part I think I handled the whole thing fairly well. We threw N&J a big going away party and it was a success in many ways. We spent a the whole week leading up to their departure soaking up time with them and reminiscing on the last year and a half and then the morning they left I broke down for a while thinking about how much I would miss them...and then I realized they aren't dying, but rather living life abundantly! Not to mention modern technology makes communication overseas a breeze now a days. (yay for skype/email/facebook!)

I thought that once they left life would slow down, but boy was I wrong. It seems like things have just gotten busier than ever. Josh and I find ourselves falling in bed (the new Cal King we inherited we begrudgingly took off of N&J hands...just kidding!) each night exhausted beyond belief. And now that we both work (yippie!) it's making the little free time we have together very cherished. It just seems like our evenings get jam packed with activity after activity and meeting after meeting. We are quickly trying to fill in the holes that N&J left when they moved...i.e. the two empty rooms at the end of the hall now (tear) are being converted to an office and guest bedroom, once storage areas turning into a food pantry etc.

Reguardless of the busy schedule I'm going through a season of God revealing His love to me over and over again in many different ways. You would think that might get boring, but that's not the case at all... in fact at a John Mark McMillan concert last night we sang the song "how he loves us" and at one point during the song I literally said over and over again "This Just never get's old! It never get's old!" God loves us! It's weird. I'm not very good a being deep about things like this. Sometimes simple is good, and I'm hoping now is one of those times.

Here's a verse I will leave you with that has been wreaking me (in a good way) for a week now. Enjoy.

Romans 8:38-39

³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Poll

Is it selfish for me to create the below "before I turn 35 list"? Am I putting my own surface agenda's before the Lord's plan for my life? Or it is good to have a list like this so I have fun things to stive towards and I live life to the full? Would I really be living life to the full if I completed the list? To me, it seems like I will just be participating in some fun events and never really making an impact on anything...however, I want your opinion. Leave a comment. Let me know what you think about Bucket Lists, before 35 lists etc...