new list

here's to a new year:

here's to the four seasons covered in snow, and rain, and sunshine, and falling leaves, and flurries once again, reminding us of God's craftsmanship and the necessity of change
here's to the quiet moments of introspection and solitude, of restfulness and peace
here's to the loud clashing of deadlines and due dates, of fears and failures
here's to the trials and tribulations that test our character and force our discovery
here's to a world that embraces thoughtfulness and charity and truth
here's to a community of believers that will witness and help and believe and love

here's to the lives that we are yet to meet and hold and to the ones we will part with as we whisper goodbyes
here's to the future heroes that have not yet chosen their path and to those who have not yet grown weary of doing good
here's to those who are sinking in desperation finding hope and acceptance and life

.....

here's to our little family settling in to our new home and learning to be comfortable in a new place
here's to my husband continuing to lead this family with wisdom and faith
here's to my little ones learning to be even more confident and secure with who they are and whose they are

here's to being challenged to stick with commitments, practice self-discipline, pursue whole-heartedly, mother with patience, teach with sincerity, live honestly, and love purely -- staying close to God's Will

here's to a happy, healthy, and lovely new year... for us all.