Joy

January has been such a happy month! And, let's be honest, it never is. It's always dreary and I miss the twinkle and excitement of Christmas. I've been feeling good this January! This new house has got me all excited. Sure, there's only one bathroom and no dishwasher. It's a drafty, old farmhouse but I love it. I'm content here. I went on a 5 mile run up Main Street today. There's an old theater playing The Sound of Music, a bakery that I must try and no shortage of antique shops. It's a dream.

I feel as though I've been complaining for a year so it feels strange to confess my joy and happiness. It feels strange to be truly happy! I've found that when I am living in communion with God, our creator, fighting depression and discouragement is about spending intentional time with Him. I spent a year being tired and thirsty and lonely - when all along there was a joy.

Isaiah 55: 1 - 3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money,
 come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you."

I think I'm a positive person but sometimes in life there's not a lot to be happy about. Positivism takes some work sometimes. Happiness is circumstantial and sometimes there are some circumstances that suck. There's a chasm between happiness and joy. Joy looks at adversity and laughs. Joy is infectious. Joy is happiness, no matter what. Joy is peace and contentment. Joy is free, without cost.

Word of the Year | 2015

My 2015 Word of the Year is:  M E S S Y.

We'll be living in a farmhouse this year. There's a couple of acres and there is a creek in our yard. I want to plant a vegetable garden. I want to let Liam get filthy dirty, the way a little boy should. I want to dig out the playdough and colored rice. I may even let Liam leave a few toys around the house. 

I want to invite people over and throw parties - no matter what the house looks like or if we have enough money to pay for a party. I want to let my guard down. I truly believe that messy people are the most interesting. There's nothing exciting about someone who puts on a facade of perfection. 

I will always cherish 2014 even though it almost broke me. It was so much harder than I had imagined it would be. I'm entering 2015 with an overwhelming peace with myself, with Dan, with Liam, with LMR Photos and just.... life. Here's to a fabulous, interesting, intentional, wholehearted and MESSY 2015!