Year Review

2016: Courage and Kindness

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Last January, I wrote two words in my journal – courage and kindness.  I was entering into a hard year and even before I lived it, I knew.  I knew I was going to need courage and kindness in order to make it.

Change was rolling within and around me.  We were deciding our future plans and the gravity of the decisions weighed heavily upon us.  Our decisions set forth a wave of changes for all those around us.  Some of those waves brought joy.  Some of those waves brought grief.  All of it touched the core of who we were and who we would be.  All of it forced me to trust that God was doing something in our lives that I could not understand.

Courage: Showing up even when it very well might be painful or frightening
Kindness: Showing up together and recognizing that that which is painful or frightening is not the other but something that is beyond the both of you.

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New Year, Old Promises

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A new year begins here. While boys sleep and the light rises outside, blue gray winter skies promise another year. Routine is adjusted with a later alarm but it is all the same. Cereal, eggs, coffee, quiet.

365 days stretch before me, all named by 2016. Some of them have already been claimed. Work trips. Wrapping up. Saying goodbye. Moving. Kindergarten. Beginning again. Birthdays. Anniversaries.

Many are left untouched, awaiting life to fill them and grant them their greatest desire – purpose.

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pausing.giving.thanks for 2013

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the joy of discovering the world and all its beauty
tip-toeing into life as a “big boy” with his own bed in his new room
the circle of light at house party with our juniors and seniors…the bittersweet moment of endings.
BIG foot. in my ribs.
these two. and my robe that can fit a 39 week belly.
first moments in this outside world…soaking in all the beauty and wonder of a new Harston boy for us to love, nurture, and celebrate
the creative ways the oldest let it be known that he needed attention once baby brother came home. his early favorite = tantrums while brother was being fed
the oldest’s favorite spot for several months…with hand stuck out underneath the door in an attempt to get closer to the action outside
the way our littlest loves to hold on to stuffed animals…as if he somehow knows the greatest comfort comes from the love of friends
those early months with a newborn…the adventures of the double-stroller, picky toddler, sleeping newborn, and tired mommy.
those TOES.
our little OCD organizer
annual picture with Walter. grateful for the many voices that challenge and inspire and comfort me.
first ice cream cone. “its COLD. its COLD.”
as a youth expressed in a late-night devotion on our mission trip, my job is that I get to sharpen the pencils that will go on to color a bright beautiful world.
the greatest medicine around = rocking chairs at the mountain house in North Carolina. guaranteed to soothe this road-weary heart.
sunday afternoon. monster trucks. boys will be boys.
the small things.
RIP 1997 expedition. hello enclave.
this sacred place that continues to be part of my life – where everything comes into focus.
10th year together. college, real life, grad school, residency, parenting. grateful beyond measure of this guy.
lightening mcqueen. everywhere.
the definition of “precious moment”…Collier with Greta, his birth-date friend.
birthday with besties from church.
a staff that serves as mentors, peers, friends, and family along this road.
not even a case of pink-eye while leading can ruin a weekend with them
ministry and motherhood…learning my way.
THIS. love him.
the light of Christmas twinkling in the boys’ eyes.
sermon writing on the fronts of bulletins and the backs of reports from day-care.
standing. all.the.time.
THIS. love this boy, too.
this Christmas where he constantly asked, “where’s more presents?” new years resolution: be grateful for what you have.
the beauty of family entertaining our oldest when all the patience has been spent.
pausing amidst the chaos so that the photo can keep us still and grateful for another Christmas together

 

giving thanks for the year of…

….NETFLIX amidst all the night-time feedings with Coach & Tami Taylor and Tim Riggins, Anna & Mr. Bates, Olivia Pope, Miss Claudette & Red

….the joy and pain of brothers Nathan & Tom, the bravery of Tori amidst the strong waves, the ignorance but rawness of Cheryl’s lonely hike, the writing of Andrew that has compelled me to be a local theologian in my own time and space, the beauty of Barbara that soothes the soul, the power of Leymah who has had enough of the terror of the world, the refreshing raw voice of Nadia who knows how to keep God real and authentic amongst us

…another summer touching Miami with Love

…another year of the opportunity to articulate where God is living and moving amidst the beautiful congregation of Highland

…the voices that call me away from my computer to get up and nurture and play.