Wow. Another year has come and gone. Earlier today, I found myself wondering where I had put 2010. It was as though I had lost it and couldn’t find it. It was just gone! And so quickly!
As I think back over the past year, there have been many blessings, and a few bumps in the road as well.
I quit my job as an R.N. and started a new job doing social media marketing. That was quite a switch and has been a bit of an adjustment, though I am enjoying it immensely. Tom also changed jobs this year, from one branch of the U.S. Government, to another. An even bigger adjustment, but I think he’s happy he made the switch.
We have continued plugging along in our homeschool. Ben is in the 4th grade this year and is doing so well in all areas. For the first time ever, we have been completely happy with all of our curriculum and as we look to the second half of the year, will not be making any changes there. That is a great feeling!
Although we haven’t had a true family vacation this year, Ben and I have been able to do some traveling with Tom. We’ve been to Washington DC twice this year, which is always a favorite for us! Ben and I had the opportunity to spend some time in east TN with friends, and to visit Crockett Tavern, enriching our study of Davy Crockett. Ben and I also traveled to Arkansas to visit with my family, my uncle Ken especially. Ken passed away this week after a battle with colon cancer. In fact, his funeral was just yesterday, New Year’s Eve. We will miss him greatly, but rejoice that he is healed and standing in the presence of his Lord, hearing those words we all wish to hear some day, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
After a 2 year search, we joined Lakewood Baptist Church in August, and in September, Ben received Christ as his Savior and was baptized! What a joyful time for our family! I also helped start a homeschool co-op, Lakewood Link, at our church. Our first semester was a huge success and we are looking forward to starting our next semester in just few weeks.
It has been a busy, busy year!
As I look to 2011, I am grateful for the life God has planned out for me. It is richly blessed with family, friends, and many opportunities to serve. Who could ask for more? And yet, I still have days I struggle with being content.
Which brings me to what has become a tradition for me each New Year. Choosing my word of the year. This will be my 3rd year to choose a word that represents areas of my life I wish to improve or the person I hope to become. It’s sort of a replacement for making New Year’s resolutions. Last year, my word was focus. The year before, it was love. After much thought, this year my word will be contentment.
There are things about how I live my life I wish to improve, but they all boil down to contentment. From issues with weight, to a house that is not as organized as I hope it to be, to friendships that don’t look the way I think they should, it’s all about my ability to be content.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ~Philippians 4:11-12
