A Few Good Songs

Today is my birthday, and if you've followed me in the blog world before, you may know I have a tradition of posting some of my favorite music on my birthday. Enjoy! :)

Bluegrass Gospel







Contemporary Worship







Hymns

So Far 2016

Sunrise over Flagstaff, Arizona 

Well, we're a few weeks into the new year. Already several celebrities have died, the stock market has plummeted, several intense storms have hit the country, and we continue to discuss  (with no small amount of trepidation) who our next president may be. On a personal note, after spending a drill weekend outside in snow and subzero temperatures, I came down with a persistent cold.

Sheesh. Not a very cheerful January so far.

Good thing we know who is ultimately in control, right? 

I mean, c'mon - I've read the back of the book. Our side wins in the end! It may be awhile, and there may be some pain and difficult times in between, but in the end Jesus is victorious and heaven awaits. 

In the meantime...we are still rolling across the country, making money! Well actually at the moment we're parked in Chicago because our load got cancelled  (a pretty typical happenstance during this time of the year). That's quite ok though - it gives us time to relax, cook, and catch up on sleep that we have been sorely lacking. 

And, in other news, tomorrow is my birthday! If you have followed my blogging journey through the last several years, you know what that means. Check back for some of my favorite music!

Thankful to see her!

We were blessed to see both of our families recently! We took a load to California and got to see my parents. They kindly brought my favorite cake, gifts, and (as a very special surprise) my niece! I haven't seen her in years, but she is so precious to me and will always have a place in my heart. I can't believe how big she has gotten! 

We also saw Don's parents a few days ago. We happened to be passing through the area and had a fuel stop not far from their house, so they sweetly met us at the truck stop and had dinner with us. It's the first time they've seen the inside of our truck! I'm so blessed with my in-laws - they are such kind, loving, welcoming people and we enjoy spending time with them.

Well, my lovely readers, I am going to close for today with a prayer request. There is a lot going on right now that is causing me to feel very stressed out. Some situations are beyond our control, and there's so much on my mind and heart right now. Please keep us in prayer as we take it all one step at a time and seek God's will for each step. Thank you!

Happy New Year!

2016... Wow. Hard to believe 2015 is gone already!

Christmas Eve, Miami Zoo

2015 was a difficult year in some ways and yet we have been incredibly blessed through it all. It was our first full year of marriage, which has involved a lot of growing together. We began this trucking adventure, and while it has turned out to be harder than we thought, we are accomplishing our goals - I am thankful to say we got another debt paid off on New Year's Eve! We have been blessed to spend time with our family and some dear friends, and reconnect with others through technology.

Goals for the coming year: to continue growing together; to communicate more with each other, loved ones, and our Lord; and to pay off more debts and spend wisely with our future in mind.

A year ago, I began this blog with a resolution to be real. "So many people wear a mask, only showing what they want everyone else to see. I can't live like that. Not in my personal life and not in my personal faith."

#3 being her beautiful self

Let's continue to be real, with God and with each other. He would rather have our heartfelt love than our hypocritical lip-service. Let's love each other in the things we do and say, instead of pretending to care to cover up our selfishness.

Let's make 2016 a year we can look back on and know that we did our best to carry out Jesus' commandment to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. What that love looks like...let's let Him show us. Let Him guide us. If we are listening for that still small voice, He will tell us when and where and how to love.

May your new year be blessed!