A New Year

It is hard to believe that it is 2008. 2007 held many changes for Matt and I. 2007 is the year that Matt and I picked up and left every ounce of security we had behind. We left our comfortable lives, our family, our friends, and moved to New Orleans. We have moved to a new country--a new culture, new food, new ways of speaking, new ways of dealing with life. While 2007 was a very difficult year for Matt and I, I am thankful that through the fire and trials, I know that God has been molding us into the people He created us to be.

I am looking forward to 2008. Mostly I am looking forward to our family growing and sharing in the joys and trials of parenthood. May 2008 cannot come soon enough! I am also looking forward to reading more this year. I have so many books sitting on my shelf that I would love to read but just don't take the time to. This morning I picked up Desiring God (John Piper) and began to read it. This is a book that I have been wanting to read for a long time, but never got around to. I have only read the preface and the first chapter, but am so glad to have begun this book. One of the main themes in this book is finding joy in God. This is something that I want to pursue this year. The past six months have been so rough that I have forgotten to find that true joy in God and His sovereignty. I thirst for that joy.

While I am looking forward to this year, I am also fearful. Matt and I honestly do not know what our future holds. Will we continue on in this stressful job? Will I go to seminary? Should we move back to the Carolinas? If not, how can we afford to live in New Orleans? There are many, many questions that I would love to know the answers to. Right now, only God knows the answer to these questions. And we have to trust in Him that He will continue to hold us in His hand and protect us and guide us. Please Lord, continue to watch over us and guide us in Your ways.

2008, here I come!