During this season of Advent, Jason and I are pausing each day to reflect upon the Truth of Christ's gift to the world as we wait in anticipation for both the season of Christmas and His forthcoming return to redeem any and all that would have Him. This Advent practice of meditation and hopeful anticipation provides us with a much needed "pause" from the craziness of all that life is right now. There is a lot that is unknown for us right now, but in the spirit of Christmas and honoring the great work God has done in our lives, I want to express my deep thankfulness for how He has blessed me abundantly. So, here goes... :)
1. Family: I have been so very privileged to have been born in to a loving family and expansive extended family. I have dear loved ones all over the world, from Chicago to Portland, from Traverse City to Afghanistan, and so many places in between. My family has also welcomed new little ones this year, and more on the way :) What a joy it has been to see the ones I love most of all, grow up year after year, and learn how to make sense of this world and love God deeply. Seeing so many hurting people on a daily basis through my work, I can only understand this blessed and beautiful family I have as a precious gift from God.
2. Friends: My life has certainly been an adventure of sorts, taking me to so many places, Lincoln, Sao Paulo, Chicago, and now back to my roots ... to name a few :) In each of this places God has brought in to my life so many beautiful people to love and accept me for all that I am, the good and the bad. I was just so blessed to spend a long weekend with dear dear friends from college, Go Huskers!, and really revel in the sweetness of friendship. The deep conversations, the gut-wrenching laughter, the all knowing looks deep in to each other's hearts. When we're not together, and not all of us can be, I deeply appreciate the phone calls, emails and cards. I feel so connected with each of you, I marvel at how much my life changed from a few short months living in Abel Hall and at A-Phi. I love you all and hopefully wait for another weekend together, soon.
3. Community: Jason and I have both been raised to both desire and need deep, communal relationships. Living in the suburbs makes this difficult, everyone always running full speed ahead, in opposite directions of course :) Still, that desire has lead us to attempt to be very intentional with our time and energies. We have recently started meeting with our very close friends, who also desire this level of community and commitment in relationships. We are meeting to read together, to share a meal and more importantly to share each other's burdens. We all have burdens... it only makes sense to lighten the load of another. We are experiencing community on another level as we welcome Liz and Eloise "home", to us. They have brought much needed energy and lightness into our days. We love you!
4. Adventure: I am lost without adventure. I need to know that life could change at any minute, even though that change sometimes seems unbearable. That adventurous aspect of life is what continues to bring me back to faith and trust in God alone. When life is predictable and routine, I can so easily forget God's place in it all. When my comforts are threatened, and the future seems uncertain, that's when I truly remember my deep need for Him alone. Pray for us as we seek to embark on an adventure, chasing our dreams and more of God in the day to day. More news to come :)
