“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday.”
Henri J.M. Nouwen, Dutch Priest, professor and writer
Honoring the Moments.
There is beauty and wonder in the moments. Even in the ordinary, mundane, messy, scattered and broken days. There are slivers of grace to be found. Fragments of joy yet to be discovered. I will honor my moments by remaining present, my heart wide awake to all that God has for me.
Embracing the Full Life.
Today I choose to fully embrace the life that Jesus offers in abundance. In Him my cup overflows and surly goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23: 5-6)
As our family moves forward into a new year, I reflect on and celebrate all the blessing of 2014. A year brimming over with God’s goodness. This year stretched me in new ways, bringing with it new friendships as well as wonderful times spent with good friends and family.
My days are busy as a wife, homeschool mom, and part time pediatric oncology nurse. I am tired most of the time although my heart is full and I am grateful for the life God has given me. During the week, I love learning and grow along side my four children. On the weekends when I work, my patients give me so much more than I could ever give in return. Both my children and my patients continue to teach me that joy is found in the most unlikely places and that life is precious and moments are fleeting.
Highlights in 2014 included a new job for Robert in May and the completion of our adoption dossier in December. Our family is also head over heals in love with our newest addition, a short-haired tabby cat named Cinnamon. We adopted her the weekend before Christmas from ARF. She is very sweet and easy-going even with three energetic boys. God continues to provide in amazing ways for our family. My love and faith in Him has grown in leaps and bounds.
Thank you for joining our family on our adoption journey. We are so grateful for your faithful prayers, encouraging words and generous support.
An extra special thank you for all who donated to our Adopt Together account in the month of December. We have raised $875 this month bringing our Adopt Together fund to $1,050! We are in awe of how God works! We are now even closer to being fully funded!
The winner of our drawing is Harriette and Norm Heibel. Congrats and hope this gift brings you and your family many years of enjoyment!
The new year is sure to be another full one as we wait for our referral. My desire is to wait well and seek His peace as we continue to prepare our hearts and our home for our daughter’s homecoming. I will set my heart on Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all I can ask or imagine and I will wait with divine expectation! (Ephesians 3:20)
May this new year overflow with His surpassing peace and exuberant love. Join me in 2015 as I chase after joy, even when it is messy in nature!
Happy New Year from my family to yours!
![I Am the Lucky One [Printable]](https://i0.wp.com/www.magnoliaheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/printable_i_am_the_lucky_one_square.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1&resize=40%2C40){kind=small}
Cute kitty. We have had a dog occasionally over the years, but we always had a cat. They can always do a disappearing act when they are tired of the kids, but mostly ready to purr for whomever needs cheering up.
Hi Heather, Love the family pictures – where did all those missing teeth go. Was it an adventurous mouse, fixing a dandy new nest and needed some strong teeth to fasten it together?? Was it a white rabbit sneaking in to replace his own front tooth which he had lost??? Or did the new “grown up teeth” just push them on out.
I have a twin to Cinnamon; mine is named Tonto because of his Native American markings. He is 6 yrs. old, a rescue, and a love. Blessings, nancy c
Such cute kids, and cats, too!