Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Last Day

Hard to believe 2008 is going to be over soon.

For the most part, years go by and they all seem to blend together. But 2008 held a lot of joys, and a lot of tough stuff. I have a feeling this past year will stay around in my heart for awhile.

The good...the bad...in bullet form (with pieces of it missing because I'm too lazy to spend more than 15 minutes on a post ;)

  • February I started blogging...on a total whim. I had no idea the amazing friends that it held in store. It is so much fun to peek into each of your lives.
  • Winter here felt like it would never end. In March my Ladies Bible study began the Seeking Him study. God used it to make my walk with Him so much deeper, closer. It was harder than I had imagined...in ways I can't explain, and many times I wanted to just give up and run back to where I felt comfortable...even if it did make me miserable inside. That's when I realized that that temptation, to give up and not trust where He's leading me...it will always be there...always. I can't run from it, or hide from it. I've got to acknowledge it, and then cling to Him for the help I need to keep pressing on according to His will...not mine. I also realized that pride: it's an issue for me...just a little bit ;)
  • Spring finally came. It was blissful. I even ran my first race (since highschool)...then the EF5 tornado came to tiny-town. Exactly 2 weeks later we were evacuated as our entire little town filled with flood water. Summer turned out to not be quite what I dreamed of all winter long...but amidst the tragedy and the tears, there was joy and fun, and I saw once again that life keeps going on, one day at a time.
  • In June Ben and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with a little getaway/conference. Only we would think a get-a-way to our church's state conference can also be romantic...explains a lot doesn't it? :)
  • By fall, tiny town was in recovery mode, and while much still needs repair, so much has also been restored. Tiny town is forever different and forever the same, all mixed together. I love this place...even without a gas station.
  • Friendships have grown and deepened this year. Reconnecting with old friends, who I share a history with, and making new friends who can easily see me for who I am today, has been such an encouragement to me...and well, just FUN!
  • My boys have grown so much in this past year...I can hardly write about them without getting choked up. I tend to get lost in the madness of each day...the craziness, and then before I know it, I'm looking back over the past year. They are amazing, and each completely unique. This next year, it's the cry of my heart to enjoy the day...not get lost in weariness that comes along with it.

Looking ahead...

  • January 6th, we will be starting this Bible study. Can I tell you how desperately I need it?!? I'm giddy with anticipation...anxious to continue this journey with Him.
  • Dis-cip-pline. Need me some. Need me A LOT.
  • Organization: I mentioned a book yesterday. It's great...really. I'm gonna post about it on Friday. There will also be pictures of the huge messes I've made in an attempt to get organized...because seriously, its therapeutic looking at someones elses mess, no?!? It is.
  • Blogging: I'd like some new vocabulary, ya know...to replace: hilarious, crack me up, cute, totally, fabulous...you get the idea, I don't need to tell YOU that I use the same words ALL the time. If ya'll have any suggestions, do tell.
  • I can't possibly anticipate all this next year will hold...but I know Him who holds it in His hands...and that makes it ok.

Happy New Years Eve!!!

26 comments:

  1. i happen to love your posts and have never noticed you using the same words, i do the same thing though. God Bless your family in 2009!

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  2. Enjoyed your post Today!! 2008 really was a doozy!! (is that even a word?) I'm gonna hold out on organizing my crazy house to see how things work out for you!! LOL Maybe I'll get a few pointers!! Happy New Years Eve!!

    ~Mandie

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  3. The year has flown by my blogging friend. So glad we each started blogging. Otherwise, we would have never been able to enrich each other's life with our little quips and comments.

    Happy New Year!

    I have a real work in my word verification: Extra. Weird when that happens. What could it mean?

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  4. Nice post Sarah! Hope you have a nice New Year! Glad to be back in touch with you.

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  5. I need me some dis-cip-pline too!
    I actually used the word "wicked" yesterday on a comment.
    I'm having those "did I really just say that" moment.
    Yeh, we need some new words...whose got a thesaurus?
    Iknow that wasn't spelled properly...WHEN will they put spell check on the comments thing! argh.

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  6. sarah, One of my highlights in my year was starting a blog in March and feeling like I have met some of the most amazing people! I need more discipline and I could use some prayer as I start a new lifestyle this next year called Healthified!!
    You are a blessing to me with each and every word of every post!!!
    Be blessed and better in 2009 with Him who gives us all good and Perfect Gifts!
    Love ya, Lorie

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  7. Frequently, your incredibly witty blog is completely, utterly, wholeheartedly, consumately, thoroughly, altogether, and flat out comical, humorous, mirthful, and quite amusing. At times it is even uproarious, gut-busting, side-splitting, and rollicking. I think you and your blog are fantastic, marvelous, spectacular, and terrific, not to mention top drawer!

    And you are charming, delightful, and darling!

    And I never ever exaggerate or use hyperbole!

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  8. You can write with another window open to "Dictionary.com". They also have a Thesaurus. I keep it open because I can't spell. :)

    Hope you have a very Happy New filled with God's blessings. I pray you and your family will grow more like HIM each day of this new year. Have a fun night!
    -FringeGirl

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  9. Oh, yeah:

    Felicitous salutations for the upcming twelvemonth!

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  10. Happy New Year bloggy friend :) You're a Blessing to many, and I'm so thankful I'm one of them.

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  11. Loved your beautiful recap of this year (with bulletpoints no less! ; ) What a year, huh?

    Like you, I'm praising the One who holds every tomorrow of 2009 in His hands! Blessings to you and the whole Parsonage family in the year to come.

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  12. Ah, organization and dicipline, I'll be working on those too! :) Have a blessed 2009!

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  13. I really like this whole post, but the thing I identify with THE MOST is this statement:

    This next year, it's the cry of my heart to enjoy the day...not get lost in weariness that comes along with it.

    It's what I long for - to not let my life pass me by.

    Good words Sarah. And like everybody else, I really like peeking into your window, too. :)

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  14. Also, if you were actually able to do this post, complete with links, in 15 minutes, I would like some of that magic to be included in my persona this upcoming year.

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  15. happy new years to you too!

    looking forward to following you more on facebook!

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  16. I absolutely LOVE your winter paragraph - I read it three times, and I absolutely needed this. Thanks.

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  17. How fast this year has gone by. A group of ladies at our church did the same bible study and it really touched my heart. It made me see areas in my life that I need to work on, pride being one of them. Your blog has been such an encouragement to me to read and I look forward to your post in the new year.

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  18. Happy New Year to you! I look forward to following along and seeing all that God has in store for 2009. I have most definitely enjoyed your blog this past year.

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  19. oh, you are gonna love my new word.... crack...

    for example "this blog is better than crack"
    it started with a friend here telling me her new lip conditioner/ gloss was better than crack.... I bought the gloss and adopted the new word... I love both!

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  20. I LOVE your looking ahead....I have also loved your blog! We started blogging around the same time and it has been so fun "meeting" friends like you! Happy New Year!

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  21. I'm so glad you started blogging.

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  22. Woderful post, Happy New Year to you and your family, I hope it's all that you are wishing for. :o)

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  23. Yes, quite a year! I need me some of that too. Happy New Year to you too!

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  24. Um, I meant discipline. I need me some of that too. Forgot the main word in the sentence...because I'm undisciplined :)

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  25. Love this "bullet" ...

    "I can't possibly anticipate all this next year will hold...but I know Him who holds it in His hands...and that makes it ok."


    Happy New Year Sarah!!

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  26. I for one think your bloggy vocab is fine...it always makes me smile and it just wouldn't be YOU if you stopped, ya know? :)

    Happy New Years, friend! So glad I "met" you!

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