Greetings from the lil tan house in the Piney Woods! This blog has been silent for a long time. For multiple reasons. Many of the things I've been walking through this past year, the grieving, the healing, the hoping, the grappling, can't (and in some ways won't out of respect for others) be put into words. No worries, I won't bore you to tears with the details! =)
As I struggle during this holiday season wrestling with being grateful for what is, yet grieving what is not, what never was, along with holding onto hope that someday things won't be how they are now. I'm learning it's okay to feel...
Joy alongside sadness.
Laughter alongside tears.
Grief alongside gladness.
Faith alongside fears.
Yet in the midst of all the things that don't feel the same, (even singing Christmas Carols) there is also a quiet hope of seeing God bring beauty from the ashes. Of new traditions and memories to be made. An encompassing peace that He provides grace in the wilderness, streams in the desert, and even though sorrow may last for the night, joy will come in the morning!
2024 has been a journey. A year of losing loved ones, my cousin Luke, and my dear friend Theda. A summer of being stretched, growing in my faith, making new friends while spending 9 weeks at Camp Akiva. Another year of being in the 2nd grade classroom, along with being the floater has stretched me in many ways. Helping out with the Meal Team and the Little Ones at church, keeps my life exciting as well!
Alongside the hard, there's been healing, growth, many good memories made, sweet friendships, and countless blessings! My heart can still sing of the goodness of God, even through the tears!
Here are a few snapshots into the memories made this year!
These two pups keep life exciting!!
