The New Year

I have been trying to keep up on my blog the last few weeks but it has been a slight struggle.  I have been pretty busy with work and various holiday events and I have had a hard time getting motivated/creative to write.  I have definitely been thinking of things to write about and having conversations in my head about different topics – I am strange like that; I do talk to myself too.

Well, I figured I should at least post some pictures and provide some update about the last few weeks.  It has definitely been eventful to say the least (more on that later).

Few days after getting home from Spain, our life group celebrated our annual Christmas Gift Exchange Party.  I am blessed to be a part of such an incredible community!  Here are some highlights:

Everyone showed up!  So cool!

Critical instructions on how the gift exchange game was going to go down.

Marcelo showing off what he picked up.

Cozmin giving the thumbs up.

Brent with his gift.

It was a fun night with lots of food, fun and interesting gifts.

Christmas came next.  I had a very different Christmas this year; very quiet and personal one.  I actually took time to relax and unwind – there were times I wasn’t sure what to do with myself but the break was good for me nonetheless.  I played at the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at Cedar Park Church.  I enjoy that service each year and it definitely is a part of my tradition since 1997.

My view from inside the drum enclosure at the Christmas Eve Service.

From the other side.

 

Lighting up the room with just candles.

One for the festive season.

The weekend after Christmas was a nerve wrecking one for me.  It was my turn to speak at church on Sunday.  I have the highest regard for the guys who communicate week after week; it is not an easy task speaking.  Give me a guitar and microphone and I get some nerves but once I start playing it all becomes natural; take away those elements and ask me to speak in public and I cringe.  I actually had some restless/sleep deprived nights leading up to this weekend.  I prepared for it and knew what I was going to try and communicate to the people but oh mama!  I did my best on Sunday and I was very thankful for the kind people who came up to me after to encourage me and tell me that I gave them something to think about going into the new year.  Let me say that it is all Jesus.

Then Monday came.  Most times, I tend to coast through the week leading up to the new year but this year was different.  I don’t think I have experienced such a week as this.  I am still processing it even till today.  On Monday we discovered we had an AWOL personnel at work and it set some major changes into motion.  More than just dealing with an AWOL co-worker, I had to deal with the emotion of disappointment I had never really felt before.  Along with my other co-workers, I had invested a lot personally and professionally into this person; and with one decision all of that was lost.  A traditionally slow week became one where I had to work long hours trying to keep up while dealing with mixed emotions and trying to find some answers.

By the time new year’s eve came around, I was spent, physically and emotionally.  I tried hard not to let it ruin the holiday weekend; it was going to be an exciting weekend.  I spent New Year’s eve with some friends, watching a movie, playing UNO and just hanging out.  It was a nice low key evening that lasted till 4:30 am New Year’s day!

I got home around 5:30 am and tried to get to sleep, planning to sleep in for a bit but I was awoken 3 hours into my nap by an important phone call and I couldn’t get back to sleep.  As such the first day of the new year began.  I wandered around the house for a few hours and made some plans/reservations for an evening birthday celebration for Sheree.  I was looking forward to having a fun evening with friends and celebrating.  We had dinner at Barrio’s in Bellevue – good vibe and good food.

The birthday party.

The birthday girl, Sheree.

After dinner, a few of us went to Lucky Strikes to bowl the night away.  It was my first time there and was surprised to have been able to reserve a lane there.  We had a blast bowling and we had a most encouraging people in our group, cheering everyone even when they didn’t bowl well.  Fun times.

The bowling after party. (L to R – Jarron, Jireh, Shannon, Sheree, Stephanie, Rachel & Brad)

It was so fun to celebrate life and a new year – a new beginning.  I am thankful for my family and friends.  There are so much unknown this new year but I am certain with Jesus as Lord of my life, it is going to be a good year and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.  There’s so much I need to work on in life but it is going to be a fun journey.

Here’s to the end of one decade and the start of the next!  Happy New Year!