2013...a year of change and trust

It's been ages since I've last written in this little space.  So much has happened over the past few months which has left me with no time to tap away at the keyboard, though I've had lots I've wanted to share!  The biggest change that took up all of my time this past Fall was moving to a new house.  I know there are people out there who are able to sell their house, pack up their belongings, find a new house, unpack their stuff and not have it cause Complete Life Upheaval, and to those who fit in this category-- I am in complete awe of you!  I, on the other hand, am the exact opposite.  A creature of routine and habit and all things familiar & comfortable, moving has been a HUGE change, and rather difficult one at that.  Happily, we are just now starting to settle in as new routines develop.  As we begin to make this new house our home, another huge change is on the horizon--our newest bundle of joy is due in just 4 short weeks! 

All of these life changes are tremendous blessings--I hope I don't sound like I'm complaining, because I'm not.  We have been richly blessed with a larger space for our growing family and this little life kicking away inside of me reminds me of more good things that lie ahead.  But I just wanted to share how this past season has really s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d me, forcing me to rely more on God, trusting that He would lead the way through all of the changes and bumps in the road. 

Trust.

Trust is not something that comes easily to me.  I struggle with trying to control things, to rely on myself instead of trusting God to lead the way.  So, on the heels of big changes with more soon-to-come, I thought that TRUST would be the perfect word for me to work on in 2013.

This year I'm hoping to find more peace amidst the unknown, to trust that things will unfold as they ought, in their own time.  I want to embrace change, letting it grow and shape me into the person I'm meant to be.   And most of all I want to be optimistic about that big unknown that lies ahead, rather than overwhelmed and filled with trepidation.

Last year my theme word was courage.  Although I think I grew in that area (and hopefully continue to?) I have to say that a tough first trimester last summer combined with the moving craziness of the Fall overshadowed my focus considerably.  In all honesty I feel like the second half of last year I was pretty much in survival mode, and not really growing much at all (or perhaps the challenging busy seasons of life make us grow but we're just too busy to notice?).  Anyway, I finished out 2012 feeling very depleted. 

But now I am ready to renew my focus (as best I can with a newborn coming, anyway!).    I love the way the cold dark short winter days force us to slow down and turn inward. I'm looking forward to reading more, praying more, reflecting more and stopping to take in the little things that bring me joy...all the while growing in trust.

Happy (belated!) New Year to all of you, and I hope to blog a bit more regularly (as baby allows me to!) in the near future!

If you have a theme word for 2013 I'd love to hear about it.  Please feel free to share below!