Hi Deeper Waters Friends!

I hope this finds you well and ready for a new year!

It’s hard to believe another year has passed; time seems to fly but when I try to remember all that’s happened, it feels like forever ago.  How is it possible for time to feel fast and slow at the same time?  And yet, here we are pulling out our new calendars, buying new planners, starting a new year in our journal, and if you’re like us, watching all the football games and bowls while eating a lot of chips and salsa.  

2024 is here whether we’re ready or not!

I’ve been thinking about the New Year and what it might hold.  Many of you know my kids are actually adults and we find it’s just the two of us, my husband and me, more and more often.  Thankfully, I really like (and dearly love) my husband.  It does feel strange to be a party of two, but I find myself adjusting.  It’s amazing how much quicker you get seated at a restaurant when you only need a table for two. Ha!

When I look back over 2023 I’m kind of blown away with how many things happened.  This year has been full of change.  My husband who’s been a first officer (pilot) for seventeen years decided it was time to upgrade to captain, and in January he made it through training, got his fourth stripe and changed to the left seat.  He really loves his job and takes the responsibility of flying people all over very seriously.  I’m really proud of him. 

My oldest child and only daughter finished aesthetician school this spring.  I’m so proud of all her hard work.  She held down a full time job while attending night school; many of you will understand how hard this was.  She’s currently still looking for a place to practice her skill, but I know God has a plan and the right position will open up in His perfect timing.  I have to be honest though, it’s hard to wait.  Does it ever get easier?  In my fifty something years on this planet, I can attest to the difficulty of waiting and how it doesn’t get much easier as we age.  I can also say that while waiting may not get easier, I do have more confidence that it will all work out like it’s supposed to…eventually.  So, she waits.

My oldest son, and middle child, graduated with his Master’s in communications specializing in theater in May.  What a celebration!  He’s been in school so long he didn’t really know what to do with himself when he was done.  Ha! He’s currently living with us and working hard at networking and taking advantage of every opportunity.  We had a long talk with him just today and he too feels the strain of waiting.  I guess if there’s a theme in our life right now, it’s waiting. 

We pray, we work, we believe and we hope and long, but it seems like what we do the most is wait. 

It’s so hard.

I know there’s much to be learned in the waiting.  It teaches perseverance and tests hope but mostly it forces us to double down on our dreams and work harder than most to get there.

Can you relate?

Have you been waiting for God to answer a prayer?

If so, we are in this together.  We too are waiting and praying, trusting God is going to do what He’s promised.

What’s hardest for me is trusting that what I’m praying for is what God has for me and my family.  I know he promises to love us, but how do I know how to pray more specifically?  There really are no cliff notes for prayer.  So, I am learning to pray scripture more and trusting God with the details, I find that’s the best option for me. 

My youngest son continues to work for a graphic design agency and he loves his work.  He’s had a few chances to speak at different universities and he really enjoys talking to students about what he does.  He also finds joy in encouraging them to hang in there, better days ahead. 

This year has been one of routine for me; staying the course, you might say.  I started volunteering in church after taking a break for a couple of years.  I love the church, but I found myself needing some time to reflect and recharge a few years ago, honestly it felt good to be invisible for a while.  I enjoyed attending on Sundays and that was all.  But, this year I felt it was time to start serving again and I love what I’m doing.   I haven’t written as much as I would like, I’m hoping that changes in 2024. 

This year end finds us in a new home; we moved a few minutes from our previous neighborhood and we love our new house.  I have to say, moving at our age was a lot more challenging than it was a few years ago.  My Daddy has always said aging isn’t for the faint of heart, I understand what he means now.  But, we did it and now it kind of looks like chaos with all the boxes and stuff lying around, but I don’t mind.  I’m happy to be here and excited to unpack and make this place feel like our home. 

Oh, and for those of you who know about our Golden Retriever, Jake, he’s doing much better these days.  He’s a year and seven months now and we are told they get a lot calmer around two.  We really hope that’s true. Ha!  We love him and are thankful he’s in our lives, there’s never a dull moment with him around!

Happy New Year to all of you!  I’m so grateful for you, my life is richer because of you!! I’m hoping to talk to you more in the coming days and months, until then, God Bless You!!