Dear 2010

Dear 2010,
You brought so many unexpected surprises!  We have seen so many answered prayers... some to long-awaited prayers and we could not be more thankful!  Though you have had your own fair share of challenges as well, we know we are blessed beyond measure...

After 4 years of church dating, Devin and I finally found a church home this year.  It has been absolutely amazing to wake up on Sunday mornings knowing exactly where we are going to go to worship.  We have found a Sunday school and Finley has become an absolute favorite among the nursery workers!  They actually fight over her during Parents' Night Out.  We love that they love her as much as we do!  Finding this church has been a blessing in so many ways, but it is our desire that this church simply serve as a means for us to praise, worship, and grow in our Savior!  Though it is difficult not to say that it is nice to find a church that we enjoy, we do want it to be more about Him and less about us!

And how could we forget finding out that we were expecting baby #2!?!  Though we were not quite ready for the news, we couldn't be more thankful to be parents again and can't wait to meet our little guy in 2011!

Of course one of the most exciting events to happen this year is that Devin switched companies.  After spending 8 years with the same company... the only company he had ever worked for, he was offered a position with another company and it has been a HUGE change for our family.  Devin had a great job and was able to work on so many amazing projects with his original company, but hands down, this job change was absoultely the right move for our family.  Devin loves his new company and there is no doubt that this was God's perfect plan in God's perfect timing!

And that's probably what 2010 has been mostly about for me.  God's timing.  It is always perfect.  Even when I have major doubts about what is going on behind the scenes, this year God has shown me that nothing is a mistake and that everything is perfectly orchestrated by Him.  I have always struggled with impatience, perfectionism, and a desire for things to go MY way, but as God has continually answered prayers in His timing, I have seen over and over again just how trustworthy He is.

In 2011, I want to be more trusting... not because I have answered prayers, but because He has never let me down and because He is good all the time whether I am seeing it immediately or not.  He is the King of the Universe and my job is definitely not to question His authority, but simply to submit, be joyful, and serve Him!

Thank you 2010 for a full year of memories.  Thank you for the difficult times for I know that they are teaching me patience and perserverance.  Thank you for the wonderful times that boosted my energy, renewed my soul, and reminded me that everything truly does have a season.

Love,
MLC