December 31.
A day I excitedly anticipate each year. A day filled with awe and thankfulness, and joy and wonder, as I pause and glance back over my shoulder of the last 364 days.
I take out the photo books I’ve created through the year, and relive the priceless moments captured in pictures through each season… winter, spring, summer, family vacation, and autumn. Yes, five books filled with photos, and memories, and life.
I read through my blog posts of the year, and recall the paused moments in time that God captured in my heart, and equipped me to share in words.
I skim through my personal Bible study notes, as I see growth in my faith, in my Bible knowledge, in my relationship with my Lord.
It’s as if I survey a timeline before me of all God has done in my life through the year. I see His faithfulness in it all… the good, the not-so-good, the yuck, and everything in between. All this humbles me to my knees. Awed. Thankful. Undeserving. Hopeful.
On this last day of 2014, my heart couldn’t be more thankful:
–God gave me a passion to write and to share it publicly. I joined COMPEL, and my love for writing expanded in ways I never expected. I also didn’t expect to meet some of the most incredible people through the writing and blog world. I can’t imagine my life without them today!
–I birthed two new websites which house my two blogs— Loving God Loving Others and Live Love Linger. (How easy it is to write that, when in all actuality, it took much time, toil, sweat and tears to accomplish this feat! The tears were the worst when I lost everything to the white screen of death! Thankfully, Bluehost came to the rescue!)
–Our smooth-sailing lives came to a screeching halt in May, as our children met destruction and devastation face-to-face. Yet, God proved to be bigger still. We saw Him act on our behalf in numerous ways, including when our son lost his eyesight in a soccer game, only to find weeks later he was completely healed.
–Family vacation to Pensacola Beach was our best vacation yet. Hands down. Oh, the laughs, the fun, the sun, the beach. Priceless.
–God opened a door to a new part-time job in banking in June. A new world for me where I learned so much.
–Then RAGBRAI. A life-altering experience, peddling 320 miles in 5 days across Iowa. Oh, RAGBRAI, how I fell in love with you. With my husband. On a tandem. In a tent. With no makeup on. I’ve never appreciated a shower so much in my life. Can’t wait to do it again.
–Cherished times with family, month after month…
July
August
September
October
November
(December’s collage is coming tomorrow.)
–And then there was Peter. Peter Pan…
This mom beheld her son dance and sing on stage as Peter Pan to a packed crowd. And Lord willing, I’ll have many more times of watching him doing it again in 2015!
I embarked on a new adventure, with a new job as Coordinator of the Foster Grandparent Program six days before Christmas, and I love it!
And Christmas. There’s nothing like Christmas.
2014 was a beautiful journey of transition, of love, of joy, of God’s grace and faithfulness. He healed. He restored. He provided. He sustained. He saved. He protected. He was glorified in it all. And I walked with Him, hand in hand. So thankful. Completely thankful. And hopeful for 2015.
Thank you for journeying with me in 2014, and I look forward to sharing life with you in the new year!
God bless you in 2015, dear friend!
Much love,
Julie
It’s a joy to link this post with friends Meredith and Holley. There’s much joy and encouragement found in each beautiful place!
Thanks for sharing snapshots of your family life. What a year for you, especially your son gaining his sight back. God is good. Right next door at Holley’s.
Yes, Janene, God is good. So thankful! Thank you for stopping by and sharing. Happy New Year!
Oh my, Julie! What a beautiful look back at 2014! You have such a lovely family. It has been great reading your encouraging words this year and getting to know you through Compel and blogging. May you have a blessed 2015!
Thank you, Sabra. It’s been a blessing getting to know you, too. May God bless you with more of Him in 2015. Glad we can journey together!
Thank you for sharing your year!
And your joy.
And your faith.
And your heart.
It’s a joy to do so. Looking forward to 2015!
Blessings to you and your beautiful family! Happy New Year!
Thank you, Barbie! Blessings to you and yours as well. Lifting you in prayer today, friend!
Loved your photos and your review of the year, Julie. What a wonder God has worked in your life throughout the year. You are blessed indeed, my friend. Can’t wait to see how God works this year for both of us. Much love!
Yes, Holly, I can’t wait to see also. So thankful we both have Him guiding us and walking with us in the new year. God bless you, dear friend!
Oh, wow, Julie – these are great memories! I love how you incorporated this timeline into your blog post. This is a wonderful idea!
Thanks, Jennifer. I’m hoping someday my children will look back through my posts and be blessed by all God has done in my life and in theirs. That’s the reason I began to blog years ago. Happy New Year, friend. God bless you!
JULIE, I loved your encouraging post. I love your smile. I am a member of Compel also and laughed a new site this year. I am so thankful your son was healed. Blessings. DIANA
Hi Diana! Thank you for stopping by and sharing. Thankful for what COMPEL has taught me, and I’m glad we have that in common. God bless you in the new year!
I love your pictures-so many smiling faces! Can’t wait to see what God has in store for 2015!
Thank you, Sarah. Looking forward to seeing God’s plans come to pass in 2015 as well. Bless you, friend!