2019 in Review

Wednesday, December 11, 2019



The kids saying goodbye to our Pine Cove
counselors. We had a fun summer!

1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?
I became an American citizen.  

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I want to say that yes, I kept them and made steady progress. I will write my goals for 2020 soon.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. One extended family member recently.

5. What countries did you visit?
East Texas. Ha!

6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?
2019 was a transition year for us. It took a lot of strength and commitment to complete our assignments. I pray to have peace and joy to sow into the new place God planted us.

7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The day we moved to our new community and 30 people from our church were cleaning our new home for us as a selfless gift. That warm, sacrificial welcome will be forever in our hearts.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being who God called me to be as a wife and mother is all I want to achieve. Everything else is a blessing too.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm slow to recognize closed doors in friendships. I linger until it is obvious that the relationship is over.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, but I had both of my bottom wisdom teeth removed. And I woke up in the middle of surgery. I know... fun times. My recovery went well. My husband is my absolute hero.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My husband and I had a chance to getaway by ourselves twice this year. This was much needed and it is a record for us!

12. Where did most of your money go?
Giving and debt reduction.

13. What did you get really excited about?
My new community, writing and running.

14. What song will always remind you of 2019?
Zeke's new album The Cutting Room Floor.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

• happier or sadder? Joyful.
• thinner or fatter? Thinner for sure.
• richer or poorer? Richer, by God's favor and grace.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Let go of what was (in friendships) and embraced my present blessings.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Getting mad about stuff I can't change with anger.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
Our family came to our home. I cooked dinner, cleaned up, laced up my shoes and went for a run. It was AWESOME!

19. What was your favorite TV program?
I watched some amazing documentaries. I'm currently enjoying the latest season of The Crown.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
I'm glad you asked! I blogged about reading 25 (plus) books this year. You can read it here.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

Our church wrote a new Christmas song. My husband is the co-writer and I'm singing background. You can watch it here.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
Downton Abbey because that's my favorite series ever.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I made the resolution of not orchestrating my birthday this year. I turned 39. I had a great celebration at home with family and I want to say, five different groups of friends took me out to celebrate the day. It was awesome!

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A quicker move to being thankful in all things.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?
It's been evolving. Lately, my workplace and church set my fashion concept. When I'm not in those two places, I often have a race t-shirt on and tights.

26. What kept you sane?
Zeke, our kids, and running.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.

God sets the tone for my life. My life truly is for His service and He gets to determine where we will serve Him. I learned that children have the correct perspective of the world. I also asked myself, "where is Jesus doing in this situation?" The answer gave me the correct response to difficult circumstances.

Previously in this Series
2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014 

• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010