Welcome 2013

A new year already here! 2013 seems a number too far ahead of the 2000 mark, doesn't it? Happy New Year to you all!

In years past, I have typically approached the ending of one year and the beginning of the next with more sentiment, more purpose, and a little lament for the passing of time. This year I feel excitement and anticipation, along with a certain trepidation for what lies ahead. But the wonderful thing is this: Emmanuel, the One who came and is with us, will continue on with us and lead us and sustain us. In Him we find our meaning and purpose, we find hope and peace, and power to forge ahead for His glory. Yes, I feel excited for this new year!

This holiday season was a sweet one. It was full in one sense, but the work of it was rather therapeutic, and provided for a sense of togetherness that I am thankful for. The break from the mundane will be missed!

Yesterday morning at breakfast time, on the last day of the year, the kids lingered around the kitchen making all sorts of silliness and enjoying the friendships that we have here in our home. If only we could freeze time! I'm thankful for a camera that helps me to freeze a memory-- an image for my mind to look back on and remember the good times.

Olivia sat a safe distance away; sometimes boy-ness multiplied by three is a little overpowering for my girly! Still, she enjoys their humor and joined in with the laughter. Jon was out surfing, and one of the kids had the idea of listen to Surfing USA by the Beach Boys while we ate. Jacob rather liked it!

After breakfast, the boy games began. Having friends who are the children of Marines, my boys often march around in "uniform," setting up camps and planning attacks. The bedroom was converted again with tents and rearranged furniture. Even today I hear them marching around upstairs, Michael keeping his little army of two in perfect order. Sometimes Olivia joins in, other times she sits and watches. Today she is cozied up with some books.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the freedom it allows for leisure (at least on the days in between the busy ones of cooking, baking, cleaning, and shopping, etc.). Ah, I savored time alone with Jon on the deck watching the sun set, sharing a plate of Brie and crackers. I enjoyed time decorating with Olivia, and working on a 750-piece puzzle over the days between Christmas and New Years. Yesterday Jacob wanted to play a game with just me, something I'm usually impatient about because of time constraints.

His winning face! 

Last night was a fun evening spent with friends. We had a late dinner of breakfast food... A genius idea that cuts back on the work of hosting because the cooking is done together. And since breakfast food is such great comfort food, it was the perfect way to ring in the new year with friends on a chilly evening. Thank you VO family!

And as we have now entered a new year, the resounding desire of my heart as I look forward would be to grow in my relationship with the Lord, being filled by His transforming power to live and love in a more selfless way, passionately running this race we call life with all endurance. Yes, I want to especially love Jon and my kids more affectionately, more passionately, with a deeper appreciation for their individuality, and a recognition that their true self is an eternal soul. I can only do so by allowing God's love to work through me, seeking Him daily and striving to be lead by Him moment by moment, because on my own I am a weak and broken mess. So here it comes back full circle, that a deepening relationship with the Lord is my ultimate desire.

This prayer by Paul in Colossians 1 sums it up:

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy..."

The sun setting on 2012. May the Son shine brightly on your new year!

~Katherine