Happy New Year!

Now that we are journeying in to another decade, I think back to where I was just a short year ago. We were still in Chicago, getting ready to prepare for our imminent move back to Indiana. As everyone who moves anywhere knows how much work goes in to the moving process, I certainly wasn’t looking forward to it, nor was I excited about the prospect with a new baby and a preschooler. But alas, Spring arrived and it was time to move. Overall the process went as smooth as a move can go with a few hiccups here and there.

We have taken the majority of 2019 getting settled, reorganizing stuff, reconnecting with our community here, and figuring out what our new normal looks like. As always, it has been not quite a full year of getting settled in, but almost, as I sit and consider that I am just now able to feel “settled.”

I am so thankful for our opportunity in moving and experiencing Chicago, and even more so, thankful that we came through with a new family member who has been a wonderful blessing to our little family. The Honey Badger has started preschool and has been thriving in this new environment, as well.

One of my main focuses, aside from my family, has been to refocus on Christ, and growing in relationship through prayer, meditation, reading, and community with others. Without prioritizing Him throughout my days, I have found that I feel more alone, isolated, and lost. During this season of really learning to spend and make time to grow in relationship with God, I have found freedom, contentedness with others, inspiration in the every day, and purpose.

I am thankful for the opportunities that I have been given in my career, but I am even more thankful to be able to stay at home with my children. I am thankful for my husband and his friendship.

I hope to discover in this New Year a greater appreciation for others and how I can better serve others. Through growth in Christ, I realize that I cannot neglect myself for the sake of others in the fact that if I do not take care of myself, I will quickly get to a point of being incapable of caring for others.

I look forward to a year of gratitude and simplicity, connected-ness and community, mindfulness and intentionality.