keep walking. keep seeking.

Hello 2013!

I feel like a little kid again, with a Christmas vacation coming to an end.  While vacations have forever changed now that we have two littles in our family, having the hubby home for a stay-cation this week has taken a load off my shoulders and allowed some rest that my spirit needed.

This past week, the hubs and I found ourselves discussing the coming year and what our hopes and goals and expectations might be.  Much of what we are doing is just continuing the good that we already have in our life.  But as I thought about growing as a follower of Christ, a wife, a Mama, and a writer, I found myself making a list of MORE and LESS.

Such as MORE sleep.

More fitness.

Less TV.

More reading.  More writing.

Less social media.

More homemaking.  More encouraging.

Less stuff.

More praying.  More stillness.

Less comparison.

More productive mornings.  More card writing.

Less shopping and spending.

More date nights.  More planned rest.

Less laziness.


We are just going to keep walking.  Keep reading truth.  Keep seeking Christ.  Keep pursuing oneness in our marriage.  Anything that goes against that will be cut out.

As far as this space goes, I'm going to keep writing.  I've got a sweet group of gals to hold me accountable to my commitment to use this site for His glory.  But much beyond that, 2013 is a mystery to me as far as where this blog will go.

One thing that the hubs and I decided to do to add to our Christ-seeking and marriage-oneness is reading the Bible together.  We decided that a 6 month plan would be best for us, and we're doing the 6-month reading plan from You Version.  (If you have a smart-phone or tablet, this is truly the #1 most important app to have.)

This is kind of a big deal to me.

You see, I've planned to read the Bible from cover to cover many many times.  And fallen off the wagon every. single. time.

This time will be different.

I have determination, and even better, I have accountability.  I just love that my hubby is doing this with me, and I pray that it will deepen our marriage in ways we would never expect.

Also, I am sharing this goal here.  Because I hope you will either
A. join me, or
B. check in on me and ask how it's going.

I am so excited to get a little more radical in my pursuit of the Word.  I know that it will not be time wasted.    

What is your plan in your Bible reading this year?  What are you seeking more of and less of?

2012 in a word

In a year where I have received and been blessed with so much, there is only one word that stands out in my mind to describe the past twelve months.

gratitude.

I've seen bits of the fruit that comes when you count back your blessings to the Giver, and that is what I intend to do here tonight.  

january. My hubby turns 30.  I also joined a Monday morning bible study that would rock my world more than I ever realized.  Some of my favorite people on the planet gather in this little group.

february.  We learn that the babe in the belly was another boy, and we could't have been more thrilled.  

march.  My sweet Jude Michael turns ONE year old.  And we sure celebrated his year of life.  Always so thankful for him.

april.  I work through a lot of my anxieties about having two kiddos so close together.  I can say that 6 months in now, God spaced them perfectly for me.

may. We overcame a nasty bout of hand, foot, mouth disease and a Mama with an ear and sinus infection.  We gave thanks that it wasn't a month later.

june.  My world was rocked with another sweet boy.  We welcomed Isaac Lee into the family and life was never the same again.

july.  I was thick in the baby fog.  And swimming in love for my boys.  Not much happened this month, except for loads of newborn cuddles.

august. In a summer with over 100 degree days, I still work out being a Mama of two under two (and loving it) and learning that it takes loads of grace.  Thankful that there is an abundance of that.

september. Isaac turns 3 months and Jude 18 months and the fog is starting to lift.  I learn a bit about finding my worth and value in Christ and not in any job description (or lack thereof).

october. My sister visits from Jamaica and meets Isaac for the first time!  Such a blessing to spend time with her!  Also, I turn 28.  And I feel little tugs at my heart to write more in this little space.  Just to see what God might have in mind to do with my words.

november. I start to write like it's my job.  The blog changes to Space for Joy and I decide to take this little piece of the internet a bit more seriously. 

december. I'm beginning to find some community in the interwebs and do a few guest posts.  Writing 3-5 times a week sometimes flows freely and other times is not so easy.  In any case, it is good for me, and I do my best to be faithful and write.  Also, Isaac is now 6 months and Jude is 21 months.  The boys are changing daily and being a Mama is my most favorite job ever.

I have much to be thankful for.  

Gratitude is the overarching theme here.  In a few more words...

faith,

mommyhood, 

& writing.

Those are ways that I grew.  That I put much effort into, and that I saw fruit in.  I think this same theme will continue in 2013.

Happy New Year, friends.  I hope your 2012 ends as well as mine did.