2011

Happy New Year!!    I can't believe it's 2011.  That means 30 is right around the corner for me, which is exciting and a little unnerving.  Last night Amanda and Chris and Brian and I got together at Todd and Kristin's house.  We missed Matt and Sarah, Adam and Julia, and Shawn and Micki.  We kept it nice and simple- snacks, games, and then watched the ball drop.  At 12:02, we all packed up and went home - it was time for bed!  On our way home we called 911 on an impaired driver and followed her until the police came -she ran into the brick out in front of our subdivision - thankfully she didn't kill anyone. 

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

Todd and Kristin and baby (will be here in May)

Chris and Amanda and baby (will be here in July)

 And Us:

I'm always hesitant to set New Year's Resolutions, but I found this that sums up my life goals (copied from SCC blog): 

With God’s help I want to love others in the name of Jesus. I want to love my family and friends with a selfless love that focuses more on meeting their needs than my own.

With God’s help I want to serve the poor the way Jesus did. I want to be attentive to the needs of others, filled with more compassion and courage. I want to sacrifice my time, talent, and treasures with joyful generosity.

With God’s help I want to enjoy life at a manageable pace. I want to talk less and listen more. I want to be an encouragement to those I come in contact with and carve out more time for meaningful conversation.

With God’s help I want to grow in my understanding of the Bible. I want to know Jesus personally, deeply, and reflect more on his crucifixion and resurrection and the implications of those two realities in my daily life.

With God’s help I want to learn how to pray. I want to talk to God with honesty and humility. I want to be more focused on gratitude than personal gain.

With God’s help I want to heal from past pain and learn to live a life free of guilt and shame. I want to have victory over the sin that has robbed me of the freedom that Jesus died to give me.

With God’s help I want to believe that I am who he says I am, replacing my insecurities for the security of his love and grace and acceptance.

With God’s help I want to take a risk in 2011 and live by faith and not by sight.    

I thought I'd start the New Year out right and post bible verses daily through January.

John 3:16-17    "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."