2011 in Rear View

There's something exciting about turning a  fresh page to a new week, month, or year. Although my personality is not one that generally longs after Change, but rather marinates  in that which is familiar and comfortable, 2011 demonstrated that while contentment is always a virtue, change can be so sweet. We've experienced freedom and joy as gifts of surrender, and blessing as the reward for believing. In rear view, we clearly see how all the trials, exhaustion, discomfort and weepy nights brought us to this new place and while it's counterproductive to dwell on the past, my soul resonates with Ann Voskamp's words from One Thousand Gifts,"I pay tribute to God by paying attention (p. 111)". In reflection, we see where He's been at work, where He's danced and camped all around us, where He's forged paths leading to peace and brought us messages of love and purpose. 


My 2012 planner is out today, ready to be marked with important dates and notes. My habit is to skim through the past year's pages, reflecting upon the notables as I search for dates to be transferred. I often find that I've documented weather extremes, illness, special dinners, movies we watched, gatherings with friends, births and deaths. All of it adds up to Life, full and complex. Here's a little tribute, highlighting all that touched our lives last year: 


Favorite Foods of the Year:
*Pizza: From homemade to delivery & DiGiorno, we upped the intake and loved every bite!
*Soup
*Cheeseburgers
*Fresh berries
*Bratwurst with sauerkraut (kraut recommendation- Bubbie's. Thank you, Naturally Confused Mom!)
*Coffee--always!


Traditions Established and Maintained:
* new! Making a beach getaway during the summer. Even for a short weekend trip, an adorable guesthouse in Encinitas offered sweet summer respite. A must-do whenever possible! Thank you, VRBO.com. 
* new! Running. Whether we run together or train toward a common goal, it is a new shared interest that has also served as a dynamic metaphor for living life together. 
* Pilgrim Month. A successful run of limited electricity usage for the month of November. Goodbye migraine headaches and chronic sleepless nights!
* Annual breakfast at The Filling Station in the city of Orange. We always wonder why we only make it there once a year but it has become somewhat of a tradition. 


Deaths:
(uncle) Kenneth Hanrahan
(uncle) Louis Tamo
(uncle) Lacho Guerra
(aunt) Barbara Cranston
(friend/patron) E.K. 
(friends' child) Colin
(uncle) Steven Brenner


Births and long-awaited pregnancy announcements: 
Nathan G., Matthew E., Zachary W., Brennan G., Isabelle M., Amelia S., Laila L., Brady H., Isaiah M., B. Family, K. Family, O. Family, Anderson H., A. Family, S. Family. Praise God!


Books we Enjoyed:
    Chris:  Ultra-Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes
                 The Perfect Mile by Neal Bascomb
                 Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alred Lansing
                 Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz
                 Hearing God's Voice by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
                 Run! by Dean Karnazes
                 Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
                 Radical by David Platt
  Jaclyn:  The Art of Saying Goodbye by Ellyn Bache
                 Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy by Frances Mayes
                 The Help by Kathryn Stockett
                 One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
    Joint:  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
                 The Hunger Games (trilogy) by Suzanne Collins
*Please leave a comment on this post with any book recommendations for 2012!


Other Notables:
*Joined a new church in Tustin and enjoying fellowship!
*First Half-Marathon: completed!
*Gained a new brother-in-law, Andrew Herr! 
*Chris turned 30!
*Celebrated six years of marriage!
*First 10-K race: completed!
*Attended two retreats in Denver celebrating marriage and the power of abiding in God's word; Can't wait to start hosting retreats in California this year!
*Happily hosted many out-of-town guests at the Hoover B&B! Come visit!


2011 was a year of many lessons and trials, but never lacking the sustaining provision and guidance of the Lord. We are thankful for our relationships, old and new. We are thankful for wisdom and a spirit of power. We are excited for all that's to come in 2012. 

We wish you abundant blessings

 and the desires of your heart in this new year!