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What a difference a year makes

On December 2, 2012, I was at home at my parent's house. I know that it was a Sunday, but I don't remember exactly what I did.
2013

What I do know is that I was still thinking about how I had finally reconnected with Ben Striker at a burn at the Rock River House of Prayer the day before. I know that I was trying not to think about him romantically and that I was feeling proud of myself for reconnecting with him like a normal person after two years of separation and the strong attraction that I had immediately felt for him.
Christmas 2012


What I didn't know is that he would have a mutual friend text me just two days later to ask if she could give him my phone number. I did not know that we would have our first date just five days later, be dating after only two weeks or be engaged by Valentine's Day. I definitely could not have imagined that we would be married by the end of September.

I have been thinking a lot about how quickly things can change and how years of unanswered prayers can suddenly be answered. I think about all that has changed in my life while other things are remarkably still the same. I have been thinking, "This time last year..." and wondering what will be this time next year. Between remembering the past and anticipating the future, I find that I am missing out on the present.
Christmas 2011

December is a full month for me and I know that it is this way for many people. I know that I am out of the practice of savoring each day, again. My days feel more like burdens and to-do lists than gifts. I have less joy and peace and more anxiety.

So, I am back to searching for God in my everyday life. I am practicing His presence and looking for where He is at work in me and around me. I am counting every gift that I find and asking Him to satisfy me once more with Himself. I am asking God to expand my gaze so that it includes more of Him and not just me.

December 2010
Still Counting Gifts:

  • #914: Starting my second year of life with Ben
  • #915: Time to write, think and read
  • #916: How A Million Little Ways is inspiring me
  • #917: Starting piano lessons
  • #918: Extending myself grace when I don't practice for two full weeks after my first lesson
  • #919: How our basement space is feeling more and more like home
  • #920: Staring at my Christmas tree
  • #921: I survived another Turkey Trot despite running only twice since my wedding
  • #922: Ordering my wedding photo book
  • #923: My name change is closer to complete
  • #924: New perspective on who I am and what God has given me passion to pursue
  • #925: God's love is stronger than even the most devastating feelings
  • #926: Seeing hope find fertile soil in a person's heart
  • #927: Trusting God with my business and how many people I see
  • #928: Learning how God wants me to spend myself

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