Farewell 2010: To everything, there is a season

As with each birthday eve, the eve of the New Year is often bittersweet for me. Bitter in that time seems to move so much faster with each passing year, and I wish I could somehow put on the brakes and slow it down a little bit to keep fresh all of the wonderful memories made. Sweet in the sense that I have so much to look forward to in the year ahead, walking the path God has paved for our family, together with the love of my life by my side.

2010 truly was a year of new beginnings for us. 

As newlyweds, we were just settling into our marriage and our new home in Norfolk, Virginia, not to mention becoming "mom and pop" to our new pup, Bear, and for me, taking on the role of being a Naval Officer's wife.

While many adjustments were made in our first year of marriage, I am quite happy to report to everyone that told us "The first year of your marriage is going to be the worst," you were wrong. :) 

A typical scene in our home does not involve me yelling at Chris to pick his clothes off of the floor or Chris storming out of the house because I'm "nagging him to death." Why? Because we're perfect, of course! ;-) Okay, not really. Rather, we have seen so much occur in relationships around us, and we want no part of it. It's all about love and respect -- and a whole lot of guidance through prayer from our heavenly Father.

Sure, we've had to learn humility and seek plenty of forgiveness from each other, but never once have we let the sun set on our anger - godly advice given to us by my aunt and uncle that has made all of the difference. 

As we prepare to enter 2011, and year two of our lives together, I cannot contain my excitement. While I can't share much yet, a lot of major changes are headed our way. For now though, I will leave you with a favorite song (adapted from the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible) that I find so appropriate for this time of year. 

Regardless of what kind of year you may have had, or the year you are looking ahead to, it's important to remember that they are but seasons of our life. And if our lives are ultimately in God's hand, each season we go through is for a reason -- and He will guide you through it victoriously if you just keep hanging on to Him.

Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes

Music-Pete Seeger

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down

A time to dance, a time to mourn

A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate

A time of war, a time of peace

A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)

There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)

And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose

A time to rend, a time to sew

A time for love, a time for hate

A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

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Happy New Year.