2010: A Year In Review

Hmm....Where do I even begin? 

I hate to be so negative but this has been what I would call The Worst Year Of My Life. It just seems that I can't get away from bad news. My good friend Jess and I even agreed not to call each other earlier this year unless we had GOOD news. Of course, we couldn't keep up that bargain because of car wrecks, death of friends and family, break-ins, more car wrecks and insanely crazy stories about both of our lives; but we have stayed in touch. I will not go back through all of this years events, but if you've been reading the blog, then you may know what's been going on.

Even in the midst of this terrible year, I have so many things to be THANKFUL for and while it's hard for me to remember these things sometimes, I want to call attention to these specific people below.  Please, please, know that the people below hold a special place in my heart and just because your name is not on this list, doesn't mean that I'm not thankful for you!

1. My parents. I have never known support and love like they provide on a DAILY basis, even and especially when things are tough. I love you for that and am so grateful to have parents who love unconditionally.

2. My familly.  Outside of my parents, I've felt the love and support of my huge family throughout this year.  While we may not talk every day or see each other that often, I know we've got each others backs! I love you!

3. My friends.  You guys have been amazing.  I have so many wonderful friends who live all over the country: Atlanta & Thomasville, Georgia; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Greenville & Charleston, South Carolina; Asheville & Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Pretty much the whole state of Tennessee and elsewhere.  It really is amazing all the wonderful things that my friends are doing with their lives. I am honored to call you friend. I want to name a few of you particularly because I dont know how I would have made it through this year without these friends. To all of you: I Love You! And the ones that live away - I MISS YOU!! I'm coming to visit. (As I look back through this, it seems that most of the good times through this year have revolved around food!:))

• Diana - Thanks for your encouragement, laughs, letting me talk it out, taking me to lunch, and just plain being there. I'm so glad we met on that trip over 5 (or is it 6 now??) years ago!
• Melissa - Thanks for being there to listen, encourage and hang out and pray.  I dont know what I'd do without you!
• Praying friends - Nellie, Ashley, Joetta, Jess, The Malones, Holly - I have truly felt the presence of Jesus this year and it's because of you. Even though we can't see each other all the time, I know that you're praying and encouraging and that makes all the difference in the world. Truly this list of praying friends could go on and on and on. I am so thankful to have praying people in my life.
• Latisha & Carly - I wouldn't have eaten nearly as many good dinners if it weren't for your lovely cooking skills.  I also haven't laughed as much as I have this year and enjoyed so many fun nights in Knoxville.  Thank you for your kindness and hospitality.
• Nick - Thanks for your encouragement, kind words, letting me talk it out and just plain being there. Thanks for fun Knoxville and Nashville weekends! Thanks for cooking dinner with me so many times. Thanks for being a best friend.
• Joseph - Thanks for making me laugh again and again.  It's always good for my soul to talk to you.
• Whitney & Matt - I literally don't know what I'd do without you! This year you supported me in ways unimaginable and I am forever in your debt.  You have both been so kind and generous and loving in ways undeserved and I am astounded by your gracious spirits.

I was looking through my blog posts from this year and doing some thinking. This blog has turned into more of an online journal and that is NOT what I wanted it to be originally, but I feel that as this year and really the last two years have unfurled, it is important for me to write my thoughts (it is personally mentally healthy) and share my life with friends and family that I may not speak to often. As this year draws to an end and I reflect over the events of 2010, I am reminded again and again and again, of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want so much to be angry but that's not really my nature. I want so badly to mourn and hurt and feel sorry for myself. I do a pretty good job of all those things but I can't get away from Him (deep down I'm truly, truly thankful that He pursues me, I've been running far too long). I have faith and hope that 2011 will be better and that I will continue to follow God's will for my life.

Here's to a FANTASTIC 2011: Cheers!!

P.S. A post for 2011 goals and "resolutions" is in the works!



Charlie Brown & What Christmas Is Really About

Charlie Brown was on TV last night.  It's a good reminder to me of what Christmas really is "all about".  Thanks to Linas as he tells Charlie and the other what Christmas really is all about. I've been so caught up in Christmas presents plans

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-14

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Stressed & Anxious

Those two words pretty much sum up the way that I feel right now and have been feeling the past few weeks.  That's right blogging world, I find myself in need of a j-o-b. Again. For the second time in two years. 

I'm trying to rest in the Word of the Lord:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty - Psalm 91:1

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:14-21

This week in the study that that I'm doing, it's talking about calling on the power of Jesus' name.  I've been calling on the power of Jesus' name, The Name of the One who saved me, to give me peace and comfort and encouragement and security as only He can. I know that He will take care of me and that He wants good things for my life. While I may have a hard time seeing that as the worst year of my life draws to a close, I have faith and hope that He is working out His will in my life.

Security Measures

Security Measures

By Rick Ezell

"The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1).

Have you noticed: The more emphasis we place on security, the less secure we feel? Not only do we feel insecure on a national scope with terrorism and crime, but we also feel insecure on a personal level. Falling stock market. The threat of job loss. The assault on personal safety.

The Psalmist invites you to snuggle up close, to feel the warmth of the one he is writing about, and to share in the protection he offers, to cuddle in his truths, and to rest secure in the peace he offers.
I read that, during a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, a news report highlighted a rescue device used on the oil rigs. In case of fire or (in this case) hurricane, rig workers scramble into the bullet shaped "bus" and strapped themselves into their seats. When the entry port is shut, the vehicle is released down a chute and projected away from the rig. The seat belts protect the occupants from the impact with the water. The capsule then bobs in the sea until the rescuers come to pick it up.
That's an image of what God does for us. He is the one who protects us. The term dwells in Psalm 91:1 implies that we live in conscious fellowship with and draw daily strength from God. He is your defense shield, your alarm system, your protective coating. He is everything you need to feel secure in an insecure world.
This verse reminds me of a security blanket. Not a thing, mind you, but a person. Just as many children will not let their security blanket out of their sight, always in their grasp, so are believers to be constantly in touch with their security source. Live, therefore, constantly and continually in his presence.
Every person craves security. Real security is not found in things-job, stock market, position at work, fat bank account, alarm systems, but in the person of Jesus Christ.
Copyright 2010, Rick Ezell.

Merry Christmas!

Anna and I put up a fake Christmas tree this year. This is the first fake one I've ever had and I was a little disappointed at first but it really turned out to be beautiful!

Photo Catch-Up-Post

Wel,l since I aparently "fixed" my photo upload problem, I thought I'd upload some photos from this past fall.  (By fixed I mean that I had been composing my blog posts under the "Edit HTML" tab rather than the "Compose" tab and didn't have any of the links to help me actually compose my posts! I'm brilliant! )

Ok, this might get a little ridiculous!

JULY: Family Reunion - I have a huge wonderful beautiful family and we meet every other year at Litchfield Beach in SC to hang out for a week....sound like a little much? You would think so, but not with these folks! We come from: LA, San Diego, Texas, Washington DC, St. Louis, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and this year: Afghanistan.  Shout out to my Cousin Liz who definitely got the award for traveling the farthest to be there!

AUGUST: Lou and Steph get married in Canada! What a blast and so much fun to be apart of their day! I may have posted a few of these pictures but wanted to add some more of my favorites!



Me with the Bride





The Parents of the Groom





Bride and Groom - Rehersal Dinner



My Beautiful Momise





The Fam just after the Wedding Ceremony



SEPTEMBER: Caldwell's Third Birthday Party!!  She's growing up so fast!



These were the party favors - Hilarious!




My family (some of them) and Beth's family!

 OCTOBER: Boston with my good friend Nellie! We had such a great trip and pretty much saw the entire city in 3 1/2 days!



Boston Skyline

 

FENWAY PARK for a Red Sox Game!


Also in October: Joetta and Justin came down for a little Surprise Birthday party for Melissa! It was so good to be with all of them!


I love this ladies!



NOVEMBER: Mumford and Sons Concert - Also with Nellie! It was so good, they were fantastic live and had special guest Jerry Douglas come play the dobro with them! Even their opening bands were good!



Me with Nellie




Mumford




Mumford with opening bands and Jerry Douglas doing the encore!


Whew! I've been busy this fall! It's been a lot of good things amidst a lot of crappy things.  My heart is hurting and exhausted as I try to figure out what God is up to and what good things he has for me and wait through the not so good things.  Things that I know shape me and help me grow, I just wish there was an easier way sometimes.  For now though, I'm looking forward to the Holidays and enjoying being with my friends and family!





Cookies!

Recently, I haven't felt much like blogging.  More on that eventually...

But for now I'm baking cookies :)  The BEST COOKIES I've had in a while...

Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

A few weeks ago I had one of these at Panera with my good friend Melissa.  Delicious! So I figured I could make them and they're just as good if not better, especially warm! Yummy!  I found this recipe on The Pioneer Woman's website - featured in her Cookie Week article. 

I found her webiste a few months ago when some friends told me about her love story.  It is a fabulous story and from what I hear they're about to publish it.  But in the meantime, she has a lot of great recipes and other stuff on her webiste and I like to take a peak at it every once in awhile.  Mel made this AMAZING Strawberry Shortcake last week that was out of this world!