COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT.

I stepped outside this morning and was met with the most absolute silence that I've ever heard. Perhaps it's because this is what it looks like out there:

That, my friends, is a nice, thick, wet blanket of snow. In the Seattle area? Yes, yes indeed. And, since it is a bit of an oddity here, and just because I love snow in general, I figured it's a great day to hunker down by the fireplace, with my trusty computer and some good reads, and enjoy the beautiful sight outside the windows.

With the fireplace all aglow, and before jumping into a mindless chick-lit book [what can I say, they're a guilty pleasure] I had a little one-on-one time with God. The devotional that I read this morning touched on God's desire to see fruit in our lives, and prompted me to ask how I might be more fruitful. Immediately following that, I opened up a Bible study book that I had started many years ago, intending to just read back through the parts that I had highlighted before, but, lo and behold, when I opened it up to where it was bookmarked [at the next section I was to read in full, at some point] my eyes fell on the title of that chapter, "To Be Fruitful." Ha! Oh, God, You're a smart one in how You catch our attention in order to provide us with Your answers and direction. Alright, alright, I get it that You want me to have a better understanding of how to bear fruit in my own life. .  .

Gotta love such a start to the day!

I hope that each of you see God revealing Himself to You in some way or another today, whether it's in the beauty of His creation, in interactions with others, or in seemingly coincidental instances, may He pleasantly surprise you -- He certainly likes to do that.

MAY IT BE THE BEST ONE YET

From the headlines that I've seen in the newspapers, to the words that I've heard out of the mouths of friends, family members and acquaintances, it's evident that calling 2011 "a bit of a rough year" may be an understatement. It was a year wrought with all sorts of woes: unemployment, deaths, divorces, health scares, unwanted moves, natural disasters, uprisings, and so on, and so on. For many, it is a year that's end could not come quick enough.

And, while I certainly endured my share of downs in 2011 in my own life, it is worth noting that there were also a considerable amount of ups along the way to be grateful for as well:

- a much needed sojourn to Santa Fe, NM
- visits from (and, subsequently, sight-seeing with) all of my siblings while living in Colorado
- new/lasting friendships that were forged
- marriage and engagement celebrations for dear friends
- indulging in recreational activities, theater productions and rock concerts
- surprising my sister for her 30th birthday
- a week with family at our beach cabin in the summer
- the chance to dote on some of the world's cutest kids
- precious, farewell moments with my Colorado buddies
- a pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner with my closest friends once back in WA
- being able to spend the holidays with my family
- a temp. job to put some money in the bank
- the most adorable new addition to our family, my beautiful, one month old niece, Paislee
- AND, the continual emotional, mental, and spiritual growth that is a direct result of everything that I've endured/experienced this past year

So, for me, I look back at 2011 with appreciation for everything that came with it, both the ups and downs. And, I look forward to 2012, knowing that whatever may come with it is all a part of the adventure of this life.

May 2012 be a year of unexpected surprises, of increased fortitude and of fulfilled hope for us all. May it be the best year yet!

Happy New Year everyone!