Reflections from The Wife

I realize we are already a couple of weeks into 2011, but I feel the need to take a look back on the milestones of 2010 before I can really dive into goals for a new year.

The highlights:

Work. 
I had 4 jobs in 2010. That’s a lot. The culmination was my first “real” job as a first grade teacher. I am learning very quickly that six year olds are much different from fourth graders, and I daily need the Lord’s grace to keep my cool and to teach them anything. They are a tough crowd, but it’s good and I love those kiddos a whole lot.

Friends. 
We had to say goodbye to some sweet friends this year. Our apartment buddies packed up and moved on their adventures across the country. Other friends got married, and many embarked in new adventures of their own. It’s been bittersweet walking through life with these guys, supporting them, and living vicariously through their adventures.

Love. 
We celebrated our first anniversary this year in Fredricksburg, Tx. We had a fun trip, and accepted the reality that we are city folk. The turn from year one to year two seemed very natural. I think last year was about us finding our groove and learning how to appreciate our differences. We are learning how we are wired and how to serve each other in ways that are most important to each other.

Jesus. 
For me, this was a hard year in the spiritual sense. God was always present, but rarely approachable. The Lord has been working on my heart and I have already felt challenged and inspired in this fresh year. I am excited about those things to come.

Home. 
We moved from the first home we knew as a married couple. Bittersweet. We are now in our “temporary home.” At least one move is in the cards for 2011 as we move closer to my job…or wherever God may lead. ;)

Maybe the next post will be about looking forward. I definitely have some thoughts on that. Leave me some love!!

Thoughts about the Holidays

The Cowboys vs. Eagles game just started. Since this game really means nothing, I thought this would be a great time to put down the thoughts that have been rolling around in my head this past Holiday season.

"Jesus is the reason for the season."
Really? Every year we hear this. I just don't think its true. I would word it more like, "Jesus is one of the reasons for the season. Presents, trees, songs ect....are the other reasons." And thats fine. I am not trying to call everybody out on how bad of a Christian they're being cuz they open presents on the 25th. I'm just making an observation.

All of our Christmas traditions are a part of our culture, and I love it. I love opening presents with my family. I love hearing Nat King Cole's "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" twenty times in one hour on the radio. And I love hearing sermons about the birth of Jesus again. Why are we so adamant about this. Is it because it rhymes? Why can't we accept that as Christian Americans we celebrate Christmas a certain way. Jesus is always there, and during Christmas we give gifts.

I guess what I'm saying is "Jesus is the reason for the season" is almost the same thing as "W.W.J.D." It's a good thought, but its more of a concept or Christian fad than the way things are.


Happy New Year!!!
This year my wife and I had the privilege of bringing in the New Year with my good friends Joel Davis and Hailee Christal. I love celebrating New Years. Its like a yearly scheduled party. genius. I don't have a list of resolutions this year. Talking with Joel, he made the great point that as Christians we have a new beginning in Christ every day. There is one thing though that I definitely want to accomplish this year.
I have written quite a few songs in my day. I have yet to do a good recording of any of them. So hopefully sometime in the near future I can make that happen. I will be sure to let you know when I do.
My 2nd goal for 2011 is to graduate from college. I'm aiming to graduate in December this year. I started college in the Fall of 2002. ITs time to be done. It's beyond time.

I'm looking forward to this year and the blog posts it will bring. Also, please leave a comment. I need online affirmation. Its sad I know. Just say hi or something. Garcia, OUT!