Looking back at 2010!

An awesome blogger posted this on her blog so I am doing the same. She stays on top of things and her posts are always wonderful! Thank you for all your inspiration and encouraging words Cintia! Check out her blog! http://www.simplycintia.com/

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before? starting a family and created blogs
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I honestly don't remember my resolution from 2010
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
yes, Louise and Erica!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
no, thank goodness
5. What countries did you visit? none
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? deeper friendships, more exercise, do more with the hubby- more adventure, and A BABY
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
51/2 years of teaching, finding an amazing church
9. What was your biggest failure? not really a failure, but not getting pregnant,yet...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?No, thank God.
11. What was the best thing you bought? filled stockings for children for Christmas
12. Where did most of your money go? giving, paying off debt, home updates
13. What did you get really excited about? spending time with family, painting my living room, dinning room, and kitchen, spending the day at the spa with my mom, black friday shopping, finding out about friends getting pregnant
14. What song will always remind you of 2010? the only exception ~Paramore
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? thinner or fatter? richer or poorer? Happier, the same, richer in my life-not money
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
exercise
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
stressing over little stuff and worrying about what others think.
18. How did you spend Christmas?With my beautiful, amazing family around the Christmas tree, laughing, eating yummy food . . .
19. What was your favorite TV program? NCIS, Modern Family, Cougar Town, The Defenders
20. What were your favorite books of the year? the Bible-unable to read anything, but a text book!
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
Love it all! Had a ball dancing with family at every family event- which included: Justin Beber, Cupid Shuffle, Lady GaGa, and much more. . . the 3 yr. old, 9 yr. olds, and 12yr. old have the control when we dance by the pool. LOL!
22. What were your favorite films of the year? Inception, Eclipse
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? pool party at my parent's house turned 28.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? getting pregnant
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? casual, comfortable, cute, maybe too much black...lol!
26. What kept you sane? my relationship with Christ, Scott, my mom, and at work Lou
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

God is amazing and if he didn't send Jesus to die for me I would be unable to know Him in any way. That I am nothing without Christ! I knew these things, but it changes as my relationship with Christ deepens. That being myself is better than being someone for others. I am more confident in who I am and learning to not be so hard on myself, but to just stand up for myself and be me!

friendship and a new year

Scott and I have lived in North Carolina for 7 years now and have loved every minute! Life has had its ups and downs, but all in all we love it here. When we first moved here we were really close with the college group at the church Scott was serving at. We would have them over at least once a week and I found a best friend that I love! Being away from family wasn't as difficult with my friend. Then Scott started a new church job and we met many couples, but one that we loved so much and could just be our selves with. We were set and felt like we had our close couple and a close girlfriend for me. All of a sudden my friend gets engaged and moves after she gets married. Before she got married our couple friend lets us know that they will be moving to Florida! REALLY!!! So, for a couple years now Scott and I have just been looking for those close friends. The friends that moved are still our friends and they will always be. . . you know those people who you don't talk to for months, but when you talk to them it is like you have talked to them everyday. Love those kind of friends. So, for this new year Scott and I are going to be more intentional about friends and developing lifelong friendships. We have some amazing friends, but we are not being intentional enough! Here comes inviting people over and opening up more. . .
Who else thinks it is difficult to find and develop meaningful friendships as an adult?

Shalom

God has really been working on my heart and my relationship with Him has been changing so much lately. Scott and I have been going to a phenomenal church in Asheville, this has been the first time that we have picked a church and not been picked for a church! God knows where we are and what we need and leading us in this directions has been such a blessing. We have been serving and leading, but I feel like my relationship with Christ has not flourished the way it should. When God led Scott away from being a pastor, many people probably thought . . .what has happened, they are sinning, etc. No, well we are sinners, but God wants something else from us and following Him is our only concern. There are people out there who stay stagnant in one spot because the judgement of others, but listening to God is more important than what others think! That took a while to sink in, but realizing how amazing God is and seeing where we were to where we are now, God has led us and we couldn't be any happier!

In a week, Scott and I will have our 7th anniversary! In 7 years so much has changed in our lives! There was a time of college classes and living on a minimal salary, graduating college, to finding my dream career, living in a small garage apartment (that we loved so much), buying our first house, surgery, death of grandparents, sudden death of Kevin (Scott's 21 yr. old brother), "planting" a church, job changes, interviews, me going through a deep depression, the grieving process, weight loss, weight gain, finding a church, and now trying to start a family!

I am so thankful for God and his guidance and love for me. Mostly I am so grateful for Jesus taking my place on the cross and making it possible for me to have a relationship with God. If it wasn't for Jesus coming to earth and dying on a cross, I would not be God's and would have NO way to have a relationship with Him! God has brought us so far from our sinful nature and every day I battle with myself, but knowing Jesus cleansed this crappy self with His beautiful blood makes me at peace. Peace, wow, I am such a controlling person that it has been a battle giving up control! Letting go and feeling the Shalom that God intends for me to know is my daily battle. Giving Jesus all the glory and praise for being the sacrifice, and knowing what He did to make my awful self beautiful in the sight of God makes me feel His peace. Shalom is my focus this Christmas season! It is not just about the baby, it is about the sacrifice of our Savior!