December Aready

I feel like this has been a theme of the year "wow its already (fill in the blank with the month)".

At different points this year I have felt like I have just been existing and time just keeps on going.  No matter how caught up I feel I know its flying by.  Which oddly enough seems like a good thing when I am not very patient and keep hoping for tomorrow and all that it brings.  But it is hard to grasp that another year will be coming to a close very shortly.

I have been blessed by the Lord's continual faithfulness and patience. Through people. Exciting and new experiences.  And even some rather hard aspects of the year, he has used all of them to bring me closer to himself. With the end of the year approaching reflection, grief, excitement, change, anticipation and loss seem to be the emotions and thoughts that have surfaced.

Oh how the Lord knows how to use people in my life.  Through a little "co-ed" small group which has now morphed into a freshman guys group and me.  Why would this be significant?  Well its kind of like having little brothers and getting to be available for them.  They have made me laugh more times than not and have changed my mood I walked into the room with completely.  The Smart Family is another set of people that have loved both Brian and I well.  I am blessed to have gotten to know them and super blessed that they really care about my well being.  I have also loved getting to bless them in return and love on their children.  They are moving at the end of this semester to California which is bittersweet for those of us left in Texas.  I know it will be a great blessing to them so I am excited but sad to loose some amazing people.  I was also reminded on Sunday night at my church staff Christmas party what a great community I have at Brazos Meadows and what a blessing they have been in my life.  It was extra great to have Brian there with me so that he could enjoy that time with them and see more into that aspect of my life.  It was only 3 hours of my time but I walked away very refreshed.

There have been many times this year I have begged and pleaded to be done with 2011 (and I actually know of a lot of people who have felt the same way).  With losing my mom it has affected every aspect of my life. I am thankful for the way the Lord has used her death to draw me to him even more and his continual patience and leading in my life is more than I can wrap my mind around.  There is not a day that goes by that I dont miss her and would love to be able to spend one more day or just get to talk to her one more time.  This season I hope everyone gets to be with their loved ones and I pray that you cherish that time together.

Some very exciting things that are coming up shorty include Kendra graduating from school this month and starting community college classes in the spring.  Along with Lauren having volleyball try outs for college teams in and around Missouri as she finished up senior year in May.  Sometimes I feel like a mom because I looked up the school Lauren had try outs at and is waiting for a call from to see if it was a good school. ha.  I am excited for many other things that will be coming up sooner than later and all the change that is to come.  Wow did I just say I was excited for change? I think this will be a first.  I just know that 2012 has much to look forward to, God-willing of course.

15 days left until I will be in Arizona celebrating the holidays with my family and friends there.  Only 9 days of work, shopping, and a couple Christmas parties stand in the way...better get back to that work now :)