Beginning and End

Happy New Year! I simply cannot believe that we just rang in the new year and that this is the beginning of 2009! Gonna take me a few weeks to get used to writing it! As we end 2008, my mind can't help but reflect on the past year's events. I thank God for the numerous occasions that made this year a memorable one. A few of the highlights from 2008 include the much needed "get-away" trip to Mexico with my wonderful husband in February, the celebration of the birth of my best friend's first baby(Brock), the wonderful shower my sweet friends gave in honor of MC, and the wonderful group of 5th grade students that I was blessed to teach (you appreciate these even more when pregnant!)

But, of course, the BEST event celebrated in 2008 would have to be the birth of my sweet little girl on the Tuesday after Memorial Day! This event will always hold the #1 spot on my list of memorable moments in 2008. And ranking a close second to it would be getting to be at home with all three of my children. I cannot put into words how much I enjoy being with them every day. (Even when the job gets down right tough, as it will, I wouldn't wish to be anywhere else.)


Last year, I entered into 2008 with anticipation for new beginnings. I anticipated and prayed for the beginnings of new lives...all the new babies I knew were to be born to friends and family and for my own baby girl's new life. I prayed for the new beginnings of lives that had somehow been torn down whether by death or life's circumstances. I don't usually make new year resolutions, but I do make the time to reflect on the past year and spend some serious time thinking about what I might have learned from the year's experiences. Consequently, I find myself longing for control of what will happen to me and my family and friends in the new year.

But then I am reminded that it is out of my control and that I must trust that God has a plan and purpose for everything that has happened and will happen. And suddenly, as my mind begins to feel worry about the ending of one year and the beginning of another, this thought occurs to me...God is the only Beginning and End.

So if I had to pick a new year resolution, it would be that I would try to keep this thought in the forefront of my mind throughout the year. (OK, and maybe drop the rest of this baby weight...hehe) I wish everyone a blessed and happy 2009!