At the end of each year, I tend to look back with a twinge of pessimism, and hope that the coming year will be better. I’ll admit, that was my attitude coming into the end of 2018. In many ways, this wasn’t the greatest year ever for our family. But as I spent some time reflecting and scrolling through photos today, it’s almost as if the Lord tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Hey, don’t forget all of the ways I’ve blessed, protected and sustained you this year.”  And so, I began to look at the past 12 months in a different light. Here are 8 great things about 2018:

TWIN TIMEMy twin nephews turned 1-year-old in May, and it is such a joy to be part of their lives. I love them so much, and it has been amazing to see how much they learn and grow from week-to-week and month-to-month. I may be just a little biased, but they’re super-cute, too! I know this current phase of being easily entertained and loving (or at least tolerating) hugs and cuddles won’t last forever, so I’m cherishing every moment of it while I can.

FRIEND-CATIONThis spring, I took some vacation time and headed to North Carolina with no agenda other than spending some long-overdue quality time with a few of my best friends. It was a wonderful week of laughing, reminiscing, eating too much food, and binge-watching Star Trek. I am so blessed to have a handful of amazing friends who have been by my side through thick and thin, and I love that we can pick-up right where we left off, even if it’s been months or even years since we’ve seen each other. I thank God for putting each of them in my life at just the right moment, and for sustaining our relationships over the miles and years that have come between us.

BITTERSWEET TRANSITIONAt the end of February, our Senior Pastor retired after nearly four decades of service at our church. That means he had been on staff longer than I’ve been alive, and it was hard to imagine life at the church without him in a prominent role. To be honest, the months following his retirement were incredibly tough. I was worried about the future of the church, and anxious about what that would mean for me personally. My workload became heavier because of the situation as well, and there was more than one occasion where I was ready to resign and move on. The Lord sustained me through that time, even when I couldn’t see it, and I am so grateful for the new Pastor he has brought our way. I am thankful for his commitment to preaching the word and for his leadership for the congregation as a whole, but I’m also incredibly grateful for his friendship and a great working relationship. God is good!

BEACH VIBESChincoteague, VA has become one of my favorite places to visit, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to spend another week there in August. I love the small-town feel of Chincoteague, and the natural, non-commercial vibe of the beach at Assateague. It’s always a great place to go and unwind, relax and take in the beauty of God’s creation. And a trip there wouldn’t be complete without multiple servings of local ice cream, so there’s that, too… 🙂

LAST-MINUTE CONCERTSometimes spontaneous decisions can turn out to be some of the best. The band I AM THEY was playing a concert locally this fall, and I had totally forgotten about it. I saw a Facebook post the day of, and had just enough time to hop in the car and get there before the concert started. It was an amazing evening of worship and encouragement, and I’m so glad I was able to go. I just wish more people would’ve been there to experience it.

PERSEVERANCE PAYSMy brother, Jared, has been working toward becoming a full-time firefighter ever since he was in high school. After a decade of hard work, frustration, and being unfairly passed-over, he was finally hired and graduated from a fire academy this year. I am so proud of him! His perseverance through difficulty and disappointment is a great lesson for all of us. Congratulations, Jared!

MARRIAGE MILESTONEIn October, my Grandparents (mom’s parents) celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary! Although they are in failing health and weren’t able to go out or have a big party or anything like that, we helped them celebrate by having a card shower. I’m happy to report that they received over 90 cards when all was said and done. I am so thankful for their example of loyalty and commitment in this era where those qualities seem to have become a thing of the past.

STEADFAST SAVIOROur Christmas musical is, without a doubt, my favorite thing that I get to be part of each year at our church. Since the first one I had the privilege of writing and directing back in 2008, I’ve learned so much and have a ton of great memories to look back on. Even though it’s my favorite thing, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing, though, and this year’s might have had the most obstacles to overcome. After a disastrous dress rehearsal, and a few things that transpired the day of, I was beyond frustrated. All I could do was give it over to the Lord one more time. And He showed up in a big way, as He always does. What looked like a disaster waiting to happen ended up being one of the best finished products we’ve had the privilege of being part of in recent memory. Only God!

The theme of the musical this year was God’s faithfulness, and he used this experience to teach me multiple lessons about that very thing. And as I’m thinking about it, the theme verse for the program was really a fitting theme verse for life this past year:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
-Lamentations 3:22-23

So as I look ahead to 2019, expectant but uncertain as to what it will bring, I can have great hope in the steadfast love, mercy and grace of God. It is what has sustained me thus far, and will continue to do so, whatever may come.