new year's eve in españa

I'm sure a lot of you have already seen the photos from our New Year's Eve party -

(if not, go here: Emily's blog)

Most of my photos are the same but I just haven't gotten around to putting them up until now.

I wanted to say how much I enjoyed being able to decorate and "show off my home" that night!

(it just so happens that I randomly own a lot of red, yellow, and white things - perfect for our theme!)

Not showing off in the sense that I wanted to brag but because I'm proud of my ability to look at something and see the potential to make something new of it.

I kinda think one of my strengths (in Strengths Finder) might be Restorative...

I certainly don't like problem solving the in sense of Mathematics or Engineering or what-have-you...

but in other realms of life - I think it kinda fuels me...

This made me excited to have more parties at my place, even if I don't always decorate for them!

what do you truly long for?

I wrote this a couple weeks ago and forgot to post it:

I often times don't make time to sit and process through my sermon notes through the week.

Part of that is due to having not as much free time, part of it is due to not making the time for it. This year I'm starting to do that for myself and so that my crock-pot brain can get muster up something more to say during community group. :)

One of the questions from a couple weeks ago was something like:

"If you were honest with yourself, what do you truly long for?"

Purpose. That's what popped into my head.

I'm constantly searching for something to make me feel satisfied, purposeful, or fulfilled...

If I let my life get away from me and I loose focus on what I'm living for -

I feel like I have no purpose for being around.

God made us to glorify Him.

That's my purpose and I keep forgetting it!

I'm starting to pray that this year I start to remember that faster -

In the times I'm tempted to shut down...

When I'm too tired to make time...

At the moments I just don't want to go that extra mile...

I'm made to bring glory to God!

I pray that in that clarity I'm able to love God & others more fully, devote myself entirely to what He wants me to be, and figure out just what it means for me to bring glory to His name.

Stay tunned for more on this subject...

;)