Tin of "Joy"

If I am honest I don't usually spend a lot time reflecting on the year past. This year I spent more than normal. Last year for Christmas (07) Chris's Aunt and Uncle gave us a tin with the word Joy on it and an explanation of what we were to do with it. Throughout the year they encouraged us to write down blessings, big and small and put them in the tin (these could be in our lives or the lives of others). It was quite an amazing process.

A few things I learned...

• God is moving
• Take time to stop and record what God is doing
• Even in the little things we can find JOY
  
• In our society negative always seem to be in the forefront and it can suck you in, but having all these little slips of paper to remind me of all the positives that happen along the way brought hope.
• I still remember the heartaches from the year, but I also remember the good along with it.

So here are some of the highlights...

• We celebrated nine years of marriage
• My sister had a precious baby girl
• Ben and Rebekah embarked upon the road of adoption after years of heartache there is renewed hope. Although the process has not been easy...God is moving.
  
• Rebekah spent months meeting weekly to pray (something I am hoping to get back to this year)
  
• My brother in law got engaged to a beautiful girl
  
• Chris made his sales quota for the year and we were able to go on a FREE trip to Scottsdale for a week. It was amazing.
• In April, Chris spoke to a guy that he worked with several years ago, who credited Chris to his salvation and continued walk with the Lord. Walking by example was his testimony.
  
• Saw continued healing for my brother and sister-in-law
• Chris's family spent time in prayer - uniting our family
• Many times it looked as though my dad would be out of a job, but he is still employed!!
• My mom changed her position at work a little bit and loves it (I still get to work with her in the afternoons :)
• Restoration in hurt relationships
• A new life will join our family in 09
  
• A few weekend get-a-ways with Ben and Bekah
• Watching the girls grow and change
• Melia is potty-trained
• Met a new friend at our library story-time
• There are more, some too personal to share, but this gives you a picture of our year.
  

It was interesting looking back, there were times that I would write often and slip it in the jar and other months there would be nothing. Busyness got in the way sometimes, but I love this concept and am going to implement the same practice this year.

I have an empty tin...waiting for blessings big and small to fill it. Happy New Year!