This post is going to be a lot combined in one and may be long so bear with me. I've had some notable moments happen in my life since my last post, which I can't believe was in August after Hubby's birthday. Time has passed, fast! We are basically less than two days away from Jan, 1 2017. Here we go...
On November 13th, I turned 30. Yes! The BIG 3-0! I still can't believe it. In the sense that as you grow up, you look at some ages and it just seems so far away until you wake up one morning and realize you're there. I used to teach the Kindergarten class in Sunday school at church before we moved from Atlanta. Today, those kids are 10 and 11 years old, and I'm always taken a back when I see their photos. I think to myself "Mehn, they've grown!" but I'm also quickly reminded that I haven't exactly stayed static either. Some 5 plus years have also passed in my life. I'm changing too and I'm thankful for it. The night before my birthday as I laid in bed, I started feeling some kind of way. It struck me that I was in the final hours of my twenties, and it was a little scary. If I thought I was an adult before, maybe not. I was really about to become like a big big adult now. Lol. There are things I have to do differently, decisions I have to make that will truly impact my future and I had better get with the program. These were the things that ran through my mind. I began to think back on the past year which evolved to me thinking back on the past decade. There's a song that goes "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done". I am in awe of God's mercy over my life.
Some major highlights from the last decade... I graduated with my master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia, I got married to a man that truly completes me in every sense, we were blessed with two beautiful children that mean the world to us, I signed on a home with hubby for the first time, I bought my very first car, I accepted a position with the number 1 retailer in the world. These were the things that stood out, not to mention the many other big blessings such as first of all just being alive and in good health, not just for me but my entire family. Now don't get me wrong, and this is very important. I never want to paint a picture of all bliss. That doesn't exist, not for anyone at least in my opinion. If that's what life here on earth was all about, then we might as well all die and go to heaven already. In the past decade, I also had some hard times and shed a lot of tears. I've had challenges, whether in trying to understand how to live with a human for the rest of my life who may have the same values as I do but in some ways at the same time we could be so different. Or wondering if I'm really a good mom and if I'm raising our kids right. I mean these years are their formative years they say. What am I missing out and what could I be doing wrong that may have a huge negative impact down the road God forbid? I've had challenges with my career. I thank God for where I am today, but I still have moments where I think I should be a lot further down the road than where I am. After losing my first job after college, it was hard to get another one. Lost years? Maybe to me but not to God. I've had financial challenges. Trust me, I've gone without. Now by God's mercy I've always had a cushion. Either the parentals before getting married or hubby post marriage. I've also had insecurities, personal individual mind battles which may be the most important of all. I am still learning to filter daily what I allow myself fester on, what truth or lies I accept whether concerning an area of my life, other people, or the world in general, because what I think in my head is what I am and what I become. Even the Bible backs that. That for me is a daily constant battle.
Over the past decade, I've also grown spiritually. Even though I seriously struggle with where I am, by God's Grace I've made strides. I can't even begin to put into word's how having a relationship with God has changed me. Heck, it is the reason I am still here. His Love keeps me going. Knowing and sincerely believing in my heart that He loved me so much that He gave His son for me fuels my energy. He has done so much for me. His hands have been upon me even through my mistakes. He has guided me and with every passing day, I ponder more on how much more easily I'll navigate through this life if I can only truly understand Him. He is all I yearn for, because if I can get it right with Him, all else will fall in line.
My sis flew in to surprise me for my birthday and it meant so much to me. Hubby planned a brunch and it was so lovely. I was one happy girl and wouldn't have dared ask for more. He also "upgraded" me yet again. Hehe. I love me some him!
Shortly after my birthday, we headed to Atlanta for Thanksgiving! My mom turned 60 in July and she wanted a celebration with all her children present, so the family decided to make it happen during Thanksgiving holiday. That seems to be the best time to get everyone together in our family. Well, it was a wonderful celebration, but more importantly for me, the fact that I was around all my family members and hubby's too, excluding his sis who didn't make it, is what made it extra special for me. I always cherish moments when we are all together in the same space. I do realize it's only going to get more complex as our lives continue to evolve and understandably so. My mom is an amazing woman and it gives me joy to know I'm her daughter. I thank God for blessing her with 60 years on earth and it's my sincere prayer that He will grant her many more years and also bless my siblings and I to truly honor her. She deserves it and more!
I'm winding down here. Stay with me. I was truthful though. I said it would be long. Lol.
Christmas was awesome too! We spent it in our home and I am so thankful to God for His blessings and how He beautifully orchestrated some things in life. Talk about a God of the 11th hour. He may not answer right when you call but better believe He is always on time. Testimony for another time!
By the way, here is our Christmas card that went out this year! For the past four years, I've posted our card on Christmas day on this blog and I broke it this year. Dang it! I'll get back on track. Credit goes to hubby for his ideas and to the designer J'Aaron for creating this!
Finally, New Year's! It's upon us. This year, we will be with the Coker family yet again in Kansas City, MO. I also blogged about our fun time with them last year. Looking forward to it again.
As we close out this year, I know this is usually a time of reflection for most people. And that's great! Personally I'm doing something I dropped a couple of years ago which is writing resolutions. Well, this time, it's not really resolutions so to say. It will be goal setting. I'm doing one for myself and hubby and I are working on one for our family. I dropped it because I got tired of writing stuff I didn't follow through or didn't even remember by the end of the year. I thought it was pointless but that is a lie from the enemy. If you haven't done it yet, write your goals out and even put up pictures to go along with them. I once heard a great man of God say, "it wasn't enough for God to tell Abraham He would make him the father of nations, He showed him the stars, so he would have a clear picture and point of reference for what He was getting ready to do in his life". I love when I see people have vision board parties. It's a great start but it also needs a lot of work on our part.
Write your goals. Believe in your heart that it's done. Work Hard. Watch God work.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for every post you read on this blog this year. I am grateful! God loves you and it's His desire that you prosper. Don't believe anything else.
See you in 2017!!!
