A Year of Thanks
This Friday will mark one year of us being in Florida. One year since that caravan of 2 mini-vans, 9 people, three dogs and a trailer made their way cross-country to this far corner of Orlando. It’s been a good year. So good in fact that I thought I would take this opportunity to give thanks for the many blessings we’ve had, so here goes:
my Friday group – ladies, thank you for being one of the first places here where I could be myself and feel truly loved
our kids’ school – honestly, I can’t imagine a better situation
MK2MK – this is the group where Ethan has found those kids who say, “You too? I thought it was just me” and it has breathed life into him
Old friends – some of our favorite people already lived here in Orlando and I don’t know what I would have done without them (Katie and Jenny – I’m looking at you!)
Our neighborhood – who knew we could find a place here that makes us feel like we continually live at a cabin in northern Minnesota?
soccer – Megan’s passion finally realized, and along with it fun new relationships for all of us
family connections – I am still not completely used to the idea that I can simply pick up the phone and call family members without considering the time zone, but when I do remember I love that it’s true. Even better, visits are much easier too!
libraries – seriously, is there anything greater for a book lover than libraries that deliver to your home?
the work we do – it is humbling to be used by God to do what we love in a way that blesses others
sunsets and sunrises – I gotta say I think Orlando has the corner on these. Un. Real.
our continued Asian connections – people we work with who also lived there, friends visiting from across the ocean, our kids taking up Chinese again
the struggles – the times of disappointment, frustration, anxiety, and grief have brought us together as a family and pushed us closer to the One who loves us
God – I always want to be able to say, year after year, “I know Him better now. I am closer to Him. I trust Him more.” This is definitely true for me in 2013.
Yeah, it’s been a good year.