2011 {Learning Who HE IS...}

2011.

It was a year that will always mark the year that my heart grew, my hands served, my feet went, my ears heard, and my eyes were opened.  I learned more about myself in one year than I have in the past 31 years, and I also learned more about who HE IS than ever before. 

It was a year that my faith flourished, my children grew from a baby to toddler (Luke) and from toddler to a little boy (Layton), and my marriage thrived as we both took leaps of faith and found safety in each other and in Him.  All through the year, I can specifically see God's hand in everything.  Every day, every week, every month.  Like a theme that was resounding over and over in my heart. 

January
The beginning of the year began with a sweet celebration of my baby, Luke, turning ONE:)  With family and friends, we rang in the new year with a party to welcome toddlerhood into our home again.

HE IS GIVING

It also was a month of restlessness.  My walk with the Lord was comfortable, but I wasn't content. I was praying about some big decisions.

At the end of January, Blake turned 32 and we celebrated with a kid-free night in Nashville:)

February
We welcomed the beautiful snow....

and a very unexpected, but sweet surprise. Could it be, baby #3?


After a few days the positive faded and faded.  Our baby of 2011 was not to be.

HE IS PERFECT  

I soon committed to travel to Japan to minister to women and children in the city of Tokyo.  The month was filled with preparation, prayer and bonding with new women that I would be traveling with, as I didn't know any of the ladies. (I wish I had known what I know now, those ladies are some of my most precious friends!)   

 

 HE PROVIDES

March
We rejoiced as Miss Ella Marie arrived home to her forever family.  We were all in awe of this most amazing little girl.

Plans quickly changed with the the Tsunami in Japan. I was saddened by lives lost.  And thankful that we were not in Tokyo during this devastating event. 

HE PROTECTS

The Lord's plan was that we share his name in a different country.  So with 10 days prior to our departure date, I trusted and once again and prepared to leave. Even with my heart aching to stay at home - be safe - not take any chances, I knew that my calling was greater than any fear. I was to "go!"

The week before I left, our small group served at the Ronald McDonald House helping families with a warm meal on a cold winter night.  What a precious time together. 

HE HEALS 

April
On the first day of April, I boarded a plane to fly across the world. There was much prayer and reflection about leaving my family, yet in the end it was more about obeying Him to tell the world about my Savior.

And what an amazing experience it was.....I was blessed.  I was changed. Forever.

HE IS MIGHTY 


The following week, I gave my testimony of my personal call to travel on mission to our entire church family of 2000 members! Talk about nerves.  But he gave me complete calm in the moment.

 HE IS BIGGER  

 

We soon celebrated Easter with my family.  Worshiping my risen Savior had a entirely new meaning after returning from overseas.

My class also said goodbye to our Doctoral Cohort. What an amazing (& exhausting) two years. 

May
We began the month with celebrating my mom's birthday & Joy's birthday



Blake and I both felt led to travel to Alabama after the devastating tornadoes to help those in need.

 

We traveled with Matt and Cheyenne where our friendship grew through laughter and tears.  But we also served with fellow church members that we loved getting to know better (Matt, Alan, Jeremy & JD!), and it was truly a pleasure and an answered prayer in our lives.  Gary and Teresa were like little angels & new friends who embraced us with open arms.  So thankful for them. 

 HE RESTORES

I also hosted my very first Mothers' Day dinner and enjoyed seeing both our Moms' on this special weekend.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday at a local restaurant with friends where we sat for 4 hours!  So fun:)

June
This month was a very BUSY month...on the first day of June, we said goodbye to our old house and neighbors, packed our boxes and moved across town. It was bittersweet.  We loved our neighbors, they are (and still are) like family. 

HE IS FREEING

June also kicked off our time at the lake...

Layton attended VBS,

and Blake and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary.

Finally, we gave hugs to our favorite Daddy on Father's Day.

HE IS GOOD

July
It was a month of sun and swimming (lots!) and getting settled in to our new home.

We celebrated the 4th of July with family - fireworks and all:)

I also began volunteering with a ministry at church to reach out to a very sweet Burmese community.  They are incredibly thankful and very enthusiastic about learning more about Christ.


And last but not least, the formation of the Six O'Clock Starbucks Sisters!  The idea was born with the need of accountability from fellow Christian women, we meet weekly at 6 am at Starbucks to learn more about the Word and His call on our lives. We have grown as sisters in Christ, we have laughed and we have cried together.  Oh, and we have drunk lots of coffee too!

 

HE IS FULFILLING

July continued to be a fun month with get-aways with friends to the lake house. 

Our Alabama team reunited, 

and we had a mini-vacation with the Nat & Cindy...

where water-skiing, tubing, rope swinging and wake-boarding were highlights!

and of course, we ate lots of popsicles in the driveway on hot summer nights...

 

while Luke turned 18 months old!

HE IS GLORIFIED

August

We celebrated Layton's 4th birthday!!

and he officially learned how to swim....even though he had been perfecting it all summer.

Then he started a new preschool, and absolutely loved it:)

 

Lastly, BASEBALL began! Layton played in his first tee-ball league.

HE IS PROVEN

September

Blake traveled to Africa on mission and saw the Lord move in a BIG way.  He saw several men and women baptized, and confessed Christ as Savior.  And I think his heart grew a bit too:)  (*proof: He's returning in January '13)

HE IS WORSHIPED

On the homefront, we began renovations to our house.  Out with the old, in with the new!

October

FALL!

As a family, we attended many of Bryson's band shows (Layton loves them!)

and celebrated my nieces' 2nd birthday with an owl themed party!

 

Buzz and Mickey made an appearance at our house for Halloween.  (Don't they look excited?!)

We also traveled to the zoo with friends:) and reunited with our Alabama crew once again.

There were lots of kisses from Mommy and trips to the orchard too!

HE IS ABUNDANT

November 

Family on the beach + toes in the sand = a (very) happy heart

 

 

We celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with both sides of our family....it was a great holiday! We had so much to be grateful for this year. 

 

and we finally got to visit with the Phillips'.  What a inspiration they are to everyone!

HE IS EXTRAORDINARY

December

Entered in with a bang and left just the same.  It was fast and furious; yet amazing!

We welcomed this girl as an official, official part of the L's family.

Bryan graduated from Seminary,

and Layton performed in his first Christmas program (be.still.my.heart!)

we attended family parties,

celebrated friendships (new and old!)

 

did family devotions

and we rejoiced in the birth of our Savior...

HE IS LORD

In December, Luke began begging to sleep with his big brother.....so finally we gave in.  Brothers are becoming friends. 

Closing out 2011 on New Years' Eve with good friends!  Can't. beat. that!

HE IS ENOUGH!

As I think back to what this year has meant in my life, its is truly hard to put into words.  All I know is that this year plans were carried out, faith was granted and prayers were answered. I am learning more about who Christ is and what my life looks like with Him leading the way. 

I am thankful for His grace and mercy. 

Praying for a fruitful 2012.