On a More Serious Note

I have been busily posting pictures and moments I have captured through a quick pic.  I love the idea of scrapbooking but not the idea that the job is never done, thus my blog is our family scrapbook.  I have a terrible memory so I have to capture or blog right away or it's gone.  I would have to say it is one my most terrible traits.  I desire to set into concrete each and every precious moment with my children.  Maybe it is because my mind is always going what seems like 100 miles a minute.  Why am I saying all of this?  Well, now that I have all my "memories" and "moments" caught up, I wanted to take a moment to reflect.  I remember this time last year I was so glad the year 2008 was over.  It was a bad, bad year for many reasons.  I had high hopes 2009 would be full of goodness.  There is no way I could have ever imagined this.  Here is a synopsis of our 2009:

• I taught Sunday School for first and second graders at church.  It reminded me of how much I loved teaching students I could see.  It was amazing to teach these precious young minds the Word of God and the truths found in following Christ.  God was not only doing a good work on them, He was stirring my heart!
• Scott and I decided for mainly theological and doctrinal reasons to leave our church of 2.5 years to seek a new church.  We weren't sure where we were headed exactly until Scott, because of his music (another story), googled "Southern Baptist Marysville" and we found Living Hope.  We read Pastor Jeremy's blog and felt like we knew more about him, his family, and the vision for Living Hope than we ever knew about our church at the time.  Scott scoped it out and was convinced it would be our new church home.  I wasn't so sure after my first visit.  See, I was guarded because we had attended a Baptist church once before and well, it was...well, let's just say the pastor wasn't who he said he was.  After a second visit to Living Hope I understood why the church was called "Living Hope!"  Pastor Jeremy is an incredibly humble human seeking to serve his Savior and motivate the rest of us to not waste our lives but be completely sold out.  This little blurb doesn't fully express the deep feelings of joy, hope, excitement, love, and contentment in my soul for Living Hope.  I really believe God lead us to Living Hope to truly save us, repurpose our view of life, realign our priorities, and renew our faith.
• In January of 2009 I accepted a promotion as the Special Education Manager with the Ohio Virtual Academy, an online charter school serving 8,000 students across the state of Ohio.  The SE Dept. was serving 650 students.  I managed 4 lead teachers, 5 support staff, the Gifted program, and the Response to Intervention program.  The main office of the school is in Maumee, Ohio (near Toledo) so I was making frequent overnight trips north.  It was an amazing experience and I fully believe it was a blessing from the Lord.  However, the travel and time away from home increased during spring.  During an Academic Administrator's meeting in May I realized there was no relief in sight.  It was in May that I was away 11 out of 15 days.  It is an amazing story of how the Lord worked in both Scott and I's hearts to prepare the way for me to resign from my position, leaving behind a substantial salary, in order to be a stay-at-home mom.  Again, there are not enough words to fully express how this has impacted my life.  If you would like the full story, please feel free to ask me sometime.  God is so GOOD!  There is not a single day that goes by that I don't realize
• I was able to participate in my first "during the day" women's Bible study.  The study was "Wisdom for Mothers" by Denise Glenn.  Amazing!  As I am writing all this my eyes are filling up because I am truly feeling overwhelmed by God's goodness to our family.  How He has led us, taught us, corrected us, protected us, provided for us, and drawn us closer to his Son.  This particular study was very challenging for me and exactly what I needed.  It presented truths from the Word I thought I already knew.  Funny how pride can blind you.  This study forced me to see my "ugly, self-seeking" ways.  It is a daily struggle to completely surrender.  "Less of me, more of Him!"  as I serve Him, my husband, my children, my church, and this world.
• Scott and I agreed to host and facilitate a Home of Hope (small group for church).  It was certainly challenging at times.  Our group pretty much consisted of complete strangers.  Our first study was "Better Together" by Rick Warren.  The object of the study was to emphasize the need for the body of believers to embrace community within the church and outside the church.  Each group was challenged to do a service project for the community.  Our group did a Coat Drive+.  Through this project I developed a soul friendship with Jaque.  We navigated our way through organizing a Coat Drive+ for our community.  People have asked about the success of the Coat Drive+.  I guess it is all perspective.  It was a success in the fact I developed such a close friendship/accountability with Jaque, learned about the workings of our community, became aware of some ministries within our community, and we collected over 100 coats.  God conquered over all our fears and feelings of doubt and inadequacy.
• Facebook!  Ugh!  I have a love/hate relationship with FB.  However, it has provided the opportunity to reconnect with so many dear friends from my past.  I don't want to live in the past but I love to stroll down memory lane because it is evidence of how far I have come by God's grace. 
• Scott and I celebrated 10 years of marriage!!  A decade!!  WOW!!  We celebrated by going on our first real vacation since our honeymoon.  We went on a cruise that set sail from NYC to St. Johns and Halifax Canada.  AMAZING!!  We had the most incredible and relaxing time, just the two of us.  Our babies stayed with my mom and dad.  They enjoyed their very first camping experience at Beulah Beach - Day Camp.  They loved, loved, loved it!! 
• Honda!  Despite the turmoil that has rocked the automobile industry, we have been blessed by Scott working at Honda!  This past fall Scott's plant worked overtime on Saturdays.  God's timing is perfect!  Scott being hired full time at Honda was part of the Lord's plan.  This is a whole other story of how the Lord has watched over us, guided us, and provided for us.  His ways are perfect even though we are far from being perfect.
• I became the aunt of an incredible little boy who is a fighter!  Isaac Michael McFarland was born into this world at 2 lbs 4 oz at 31 weeks.  He is now up to around 7 lbs.  I watch my sister and am in awe of her patience, steadfast faith, natural maternal instincts, and so much more.  I am equally in awe of my brother-in-law.  I love him as much as if he was my very own brother. 
• Because of my "new life" I have been able to experience the joys of being in a classroom.  I love volunteering at the girls' school.  Being able to work with the students, getting to know the workings of the school, teachers, students was one of the major reasons I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.  I hope to be subbing soon!

Well, here's to highlighting 2009!  I am positive I have left out some other very important parts like my girls being a part of an Awana program and memorizing scripture, a historic family reunion, opportunities to explore my interests such as sewing, and more.  However, I am getting tired and need to think about hitting the hay soon.  In thinking ahead to 2010, I am excited to see how the Lord will continue to guide us, provide for us, protect us, correct us, and lead us on this life's journey.