Tuesday, December 31, 2019
NYE 2019
We were in our usual spot to ring in the New Year. The boys came to help for a bit and Roy and Lynette popped in and brought dinner, but by midnight Richard and I were alone, which is different because in years past we have had a handful of youth up there with us. It was strange to countdown and watch the ball drop just the two of us. Hello 2020! I’m excited to see what you have to offer!
Enlarge
One Word wrap-up....continuation...
My 2019 word was Enlarge and the Lord did so much with a word I was so fuzzy on at the beginning of the year! Click HERE to read how I started the year with this word. Now, 12 months later, He has been so clear and has even told me to keep it for another year! In the 10 years I’ve been doing a word. I’ve only repeated once and that was because I felt I did a poor job that year on the word I was given and wanted another shot at it. This year, I feel like the Lord is asking me to repeat not because I have failed but because there is still more to this word for me.
This year I saw Him enlarge my ministry through stepping out and leading at the women’s retreat back in January and also a small women’s group at my church. Last Sunday, I shared my testimony in big church...in front of everyone! That was a big step out of my comfort zone, but I feel the Lord leading me into more so I’m pushing myself!
He enlarged my circle of friends. I’m so thankful for all the different circles I have found myself in this year! I am usually on the shy side and am perfectly fine with 1-3 friends and that’s all, but this year I have put myself into circles I may not have thought I belonged but He is showing me there is value in having a large circle.
He enlarged my perspective. I have seen that this church plant may look completely different than anything we expect and that is ok. He is moving is BIG ways and regardless of what I do and don’t do, His Will will be done. I find freedom in that!
And He enlarged my family. I giggled and teased with God back into January, He better not be thinking of enlarging our family with a baby. Ha Ha But 12 months later I see how different His thoughts were when He enlarged my family. 10 years ago I never would have imagined being in the same church as my ex, much less doing ministry alongside his in-laws, which I now consider my own. I still sometimes grieve the “family” I never knew, but then I look at this picture and think that maybe this is the “family” I have always dreamed of...and so much more!! When this group shows up at ball games and band concerts and school programs I almost always have someone comment to me about it and I’m given the opportunity to share His work again! I could have never written the story God is writing through all of us! It’s amazing!
Back in November, I read Psalm 119:32 “I shall run the way of your commandments, for you will enlarge my heart.” I loved the visual of enlarging inside of me and felt like that is when the Lord said that there is more and to keep Enlarge for the year 2020! So, here we go! Lord, continue to work and move and enlarge around and inside of me!
My 2019 word was Enlarge and the Lord did so much with a word I was so fuzzy on at the beginning of the year! Click HERE to read how I started the year with this word. Now, 12 months later, He has been so clear and has even told me to keep it for another year! In the 10 years I’ve been doing a word. I’ve only repeated once and that was because I felt I did a poor job that year on the word I was given and wanted another shot at it. This year, I feel like the Lord is asking me to repeat not because I have failed but because there is still more to this word for me.
This year I saw Him enlarge my ministry through stepping out and leading at the women’s retreat back in January and also a small women’s group at my church. Last Sunday, I shared my testimony in big church...in front of everyone! That was a big step out of my comfort zone, but I feel the Lord leading me into more so I’m pushing myself!
He enlarged my circle of friends. I’m so thankful for all the different circles I have found myself in this year! I am usually on the shy side and am perfectly fine with 1-3 friends and that’s all, but this year I have put myself into circles I may not have thought I belonged but He is showing me there is value in having a large circle.
He enlarged my perspective. I have seen that this church plant may look completely different than anything we expect and that is ok. He is moving is BIG ways and regardless of what I do and don’t do, His Will will be done. I find freedom in that!
And He enlarged my family. I giggled and teased with God back into January, He better not be thinking of enlarging our family with a baby. Ha Ha But 12 months later I see how different His thoughts were when He enlarged my family. 10 years ago I never would have imagined being in the same church as my ex, much less doing ministry alongside his in-laws, which I now consider my own. I still sometimes grieve the “family” I never knew, but then I look at this picture and think that maybe this is the “family” I have always dreamed of...and so much more!! When this group shows up at ball games and band concerts and school programs I almost always have someone comment to me about it and I’m given the opportunity to share His work again! I could have never written the story God is writing through all of us! It’s amazing!
Back in November, I read Psalm 119:32 “I shall run the way of your commandments, for you will enlarge my heart.” I loved the visual of enlarging inside of me and felt like that is when the Lord said that there is more and to keep Enlarge for the year 2020! So, here we go! Lord, continue to work and move and enlarge around and inside of me!
Friday, December 27, 2019
Christmas Day
All 5 kids spent the night Christmas Eve, so we started the morning all doing our stockings together. The kids’ big gift was a trip to Puerto Rico to visit my brother at some point this coming year.
Richard made me a blanket ladder for the living room that turned out perfect!!
My family arrived just before lunch so we visited, ate, opened gifts and then the kids played with all their new things. My sister has a patient that designed the statues by the suspension bridge so we ran over there to take a selfie by them.
Richard made me a blanket ladder for the living room that turned out perfect!!
My family arrived just before lunch so we visited, ate, opened gifts and then the kids played with all their new things. My sister has a patient that designed the statues by the suspension bridge so we ran over there to take a selfie by them.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was filled with many stops throughout the day.
Stop #1 was at the McCaig’s house. The weather was great, so we ate and took a walk around their property while the boys played a little football and with some of their toys. We also opened gifts and played the dice switching game, which is always so much fun!
Stop #2 was at church for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. It was a nice addition to the day to be able to pause for a moment and worship the reason for everything we do during this month.
Stop #3 was at the Hollingsworth’s home. We ate dinner, opened gifts and scratched off lottery tickets. The kids won quite a bit of cash in the few tickets they scratched off. Then it was outside to play with their toys in the dark. What a fun filled day!!
Stop #1 was at the McCaig’s house. The weather was great, so we ate and took a walk around their property while the boys played a little football and with some of their toys. We also opened gifts and played the dice switching game, which is always so much fun!
Stop #2 was at church for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. It was a nice addition to the day to be able to pause for a moment and worship the reason for everything we do during this month.
Stop #3 was at the Hollingsworth’s home. We ate dinner, opened gifts and scratched off lottery tickets. The kids won quite a bit of cash in the few tickets they scratched off. Then it was outside to play with their toys in the dark. What a fun filled day!!
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Christmas parties
This season we have had a ton of Christmas parties to attend. I love that over the years, we have made more and more friends in our little circle. When I first moved to Waco, I infiltrated Richard's world, since he grew up here. My word for that year was community because I wanted to make my own circles of friends, as well as circles of "our" friends. 7 years later I can say we have done that and these pictures remind me of that! Each one of these parties represent people in our lives that we love and cherish and I am so thankful for each one of these groups!
A few sweet Axtell friends
Woodway friends
Our youth group Christmas Formal
We had a church staff party which included snowball and nerf gun wars!!
And we had a Table Top 24 gathering with great reflection over the semester and also some wild and crazy cup games!
A few sweet Axtell friends
Woodway friends
Our youth group Christmas Formal
We had a church staff party which included snowball and nerf gun wars!!
And we had a Table Top 24 gathering with great reflection over the semester and also some wild and crazy cup games!
Monday, December 02, 2019
Thanksgiving 2019
We spread Thanksgiving out over two days. On Thursday we spent time with the Hollingsworths eating and watching football and playing games.
On Friday, we went to see the Pippens. We ate again and watched Christmas movies and Amber's new kitten, which is entertainment enough!
We had a great break from school and sports and were able to enjoy family time with all the ones we love!
On Friday, we went to see the Pippens. We ate again and watched Christmas movies and Amber's new kitten, which is entertainment enough!
We had a great break from school and sports and were able to enjoy family time with all the ones we love!
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