Reflections

Tomorrow is new year's eve. That means 2009 is drawing to an end. Where has all the time gone? It certainly has been a quick year in lots of ways. Although the first few months seemed to drag on waiting on the house to sell, things from that point picked up. The house sold in March, I moved, the divorce was final in June, I promoted in June, have been on the road many weeks of the last 6 months due to the promotion, Jordan moved in August to Dallas, Joey moved in during November, I bought another car, Thanksgiving, Christmas and viola, year's end. WOW!!! So hard to believe. I've made lots of new friends in the last year. I've learned a lot about myself during the past couple of years and especially in the last year. I've learned more about my life, the way I live and the person that I desire myself to be.

I'm so grateful to God for the many blessings that He bestows upon me, each and every day. Certainly more than I deserve and just as many that I don't even realize. I truly want to live each day to the fullest and I want to be the best person that I can be.

When I think about the person that I am, I think that I'm pretty genuine. I try to always be honest and not give off any false appearances. I love doing things for other people. I'd much rather do the most complex thing for another person that to do the simplest of things for myself. That's just who I am. Most people who know me well, I think, would say that I tend to neglect myself by doing for others. I'm constantly being reminded to slow down, take time for me and do something for myself, not just always focusing on others. I try to do that too-something for me on occasion at least, but I truly am at my peak of happiness when I'm doing for others. I love being involved in my church and I miss it when my job takes me on the road. I love, love, love being a part of the leadership with the youth group and am so blessed to be able to do that. They make me so happy and keep me going. I try to be a leader and a friend and most of the time, it works. I try to teach them all to be responsible for their actions and to fess up when they screw up. That's not always easy, but it's about doing what's right.

So, as this year draws to a close, I hope to do more of the things that make me happy in the upcoming year, which is doing for others. I also plan to take some time for me and I have a few things in mind for myself in 2010 too. More on that later.

I hope that you will take a minute and reflect on the past year and see what milestones you've turned and how you've been blessed throughout the year.

WOW!!!

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted, again! I said I wasn't going to go that long, but time flies when you are having fun. It's been quite a year. Lots of changes and all for the good. I had a great Christmas and am so very blessed with family and friends. God is never failing and always amazing!

This year has had many changes, as I've said. I moved, divorce was final, I took a promotion, Jordan moved to Dallas and I have a college student now living with me. As I look around and think back over the year, I see God's hand at work in many things. All for the good, I might add. I'm a stronger person than I was this time a year ago, more involved in church and in life in general and have goals and plans in life. I expect this upcoming year to continue to be more of blessing as I live for God and see what He has in store for me. I want to live for Him, in His will and to be a light in the world.

As I've said to a couple of the youth lately, sometimes people are placed in our lives for only a season and sometimes the season changes quickly, sometimes it seems to never end and they remain in our lives forever. No matter what, I think we learn things from each of those people and seasons, not only about others but more about ourselves. I know that I have made some great new friends this past year. Some that I am closer to than others and we are friends each in different ways. I think it is interesting that I am who I am and I don't try to put on a facade for anyone and try to be me all the time. (what you see is what you get!) I try to always be real and not fake in any way. It's amazing when you have friends who actually tell you that they see that in you, especially when it is someone you haven't known that long and they tell you that the more they get to know you the more they see that. It's quite flattering when they tell you that they admire you and wish they could be more like you. I can't say that I've ever felt like anyone has felt that way about me. It's a bit humbling in that I am realizing that while I do not live life to the full potential that God intends for me and I falter in many ways, I am at least a bit of a light in the darkness of the world and to come across as a real (genuine) person and just put myself out there with honesty.

I have some goals for the future, one of which is to continue to be a genuine person--and in doing so, share the things that God teaches me thru my life and actions. I want to draw closer to God this year, each and every day! I want to make it a point to find something each day that is delivered by God, whether it's a beautiful sky, an opportunity to do something I've never done before, share something with someone that God has done for me, or just be more thankful for the little things such as an upfront parking space...all things are gifts from God and we just have to open our eyes! I think sometimes we walk around with our eyes half closed and don't realize all the little gifts. We tend to not always notice even the large ones! What about you? Will you open your eyes this year?

Well, until next time...