December

The first half of the month went by in a whirl wind of appointments, parties, and preparation. I scaled back a lot of the plans I had for the holidays, and I think we were all able to really enjoy the season without being too stressed out or over scheduled. It was fun to host my parents and sister here in Albuquerque for a couple days, and enjoyable to go up to Utah to see Matthew's parents and siblings. I think we are all ready to settle back into normal life again though, with a regular routine and our own beds and space. 

As I think back over 2014, I'm amazed at how much has happened and how far we've come. A year ago today, Matthew finished his dissertation and all we had left to do was wait. Wait to defend, wait to graduate, wait to get a job, wait to move, wait to sell our old house, wait to close on a new house, wait, wait, wait. My goal for the past year was to focus on finding joy in the moment. I think it was a fitting goal for the year we had. There were several times, particularly over the summer when we were working so intensely to finish the Bainbridge house or while we were staying in the motel waiting to close on the Stormcloud house, that I definitely could have found reasons to complain. While I don't know that I always succeeded in finding joy in those moments, I'm certainly pleased with my increased ability to endure well. I think I am generally a happier person, less phased by inconveniences than I used to be and quicker to smile and find the positive side of a situation. I am happy with my progress.

I can't help but be overwhelmed with thankfulness at all the blessings we've received in the past year. We've fasted several times in order to get the right job for our family, to sell our house in Indiana, and to find the right house for us in New Mexico. All our prayers have been heard and the answers have been beyond our greatest hopes. I have seen the Lord's merciful kindness towards me and my family over and over again and it is my greatest desire to live my life as evidence of my gratitude to Him who makes all things possible.