it's a new year

and everyday is another chance to shine Jesus to our world! last night as we stayed up until midnight to bring in the new year we got to talking about what a big deal some parts of the world has made New Year's Eve. we speculated at the money spent and the gross dollar amount was surely much larger than we even imagined. we then thought about the millions of people have go to bed December 31st and wake January 1st with little fanfare or celebration about a "new year". for so many it's just another day to wake, work, care for family, do the best they can with what they have and pray they make it through another day. sobering indeed.

so i've been asked if i'm making any new year's resolutions. you know the typical ones.. lose weight, spend less money, make healthier meals, keep my house clean etc... the list goes on. so often by February 1st we've either forgotten of given up of feel guilty for not accomplishing what we so passionately challenged ourselves to, just weeks before.... i heard someone talking about their "new years resolution" and i really liked it. i don't have to be original right? :) their desire for 2008 was simply that they would work to be a blessing to those around them. simple as that. i want to be a blessing to my friends, family, community, church, random strangers in the grocery store, you name it. it looks different to different people. what might bless one, might not bless another. my desire is that as i grow in my friendship with Jesus - that he would make me sensitive to HOW to bless others.

as you know we've moved out of our home and are living with some friends temporarily... the time line is completely up to God and while it is a time of uncertainty we are at peace and feel so at home. our kids call our friend's "grandma and papa" and they are doted and loved on incredibly. we have so much to be thankful for as we enter a new year.