Christmas Merry & New Year Happy

Each year, I attempt to write a Christmas letter.   This year, due to Facebook and the blogging I attempt, I can’t think of much friends wouldn’t already know.  Of course, the bigger difficulty is that I can’t seem to figure out how best to describe 2009.  Without a doubt, this year has been unique to say the least.  I suppose most of us can say that.  It has not been without adversity.  However, I have known love like never before as I’ve felt the love of God around me and the love of dear family and friends.    My heart is filled up to overflowing!



 Things I’ve learned in 2009:

• it’s okay to ask questions
• don’t focus on the circumstances, focus on how God is using the circumstances to teach you
• “Keep your mouth shut, Melissa”  (okay, Daddy, I will)
• find your happy place where you can sing at the top of your lungs and dance like a fool
•  whoever scripted the line “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” is a liar
•  love means sometimes you do have to say you’re sorry
• “It is true that relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you” ~ Sarayu, The Shack
•  there is freedom in forgiveness
•  true friends drop everything and come running- even when you live 16+ hours away
• God provides for his children
• “The bond the links true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s lives.”
•  to have a friend, you really do have to be a friend
• sometimes you just need your Mama
• “Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.”~C.S. Lewis
•   if your hate is only skin deep, what does that say about your love?
•  wounds heal
• hold on to hope and never let it go 
• don't be held captive by anger and bitterness
• loving God isn’t about a set of rules
• "A faithful friend is the medicine of life." – Apocrypha
• some people are mean, love them anyway
• Staycations are best when they are shared with family on the water’s edge
• “Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
• there is nothing quite like mini-van dance parties
• love until it hurts and then love some more
• Needtobreathe is one of the best bands ever 
• "His left arm is under my head, and His right arm embraces me." Song of Solomon 2:6 
• just because I read Twilight doesn’t make God love me any less
• one day at a time is all I can do
• To be loved by God, my husband, and my children is enough

  
Sometimes our hearts get tangled and our souls a little off-kilter
Friends and family can set us right and help guide us back to the light.
~Sera Christann


Our family and friends have had a major impact on our lives this year.  We could not have survived one day with each and every one of you.  Thank you for your faithful support, endless encouragement, unconditional love, and for just being you.  

I have personally learned some huge lessons this year.  Most have been about love, true and crazy love.  I’ve certainly learned that life is about family and friends- the fuel to living!  I am deeply indebted to my family and friends for their support throughout this year.  I’m thankful for the lessons learned about authentic relationships and unconditional love.  Walking with Jesus has been a real adventure these past 300+ days.  I trip and fall- he picks me up.  I try to carry too much, causing my knees buckle and me to crash to the ground under the heavy load, He’s digs me out from under the heap.  I cry and he’s there to cry along with me and somehow he always finds the words to say, the words I can’t seem to find.  Combine that with family and friends who do the same, my cup surely runneth over!

May the coming year be full of laughter, love, and life!
May you daily know peace and hope,
And may you find your happy place where you can dance like a fool and sing at the top of your lungs.

Live fully, friends, embracing each day as the gift that it truly is and seek truth wisely;
Love even when it hurts, never be afraid to say you’re sorry, and be kind to one another all the while, offering love, grace and mercy without reservation.

May God richly bless you and yours!

Merry Christmas

~Melissa, along with Jeff, Sam, Jamie and Abby

Every person has the power to make others happy.
Some do it simply by entering a room --
others by leaving the room.
Some individuals leave trails of gloom;
others, trails of joy.
Some leave trails of hate and bitterness;
others, trails of love and harmony.
Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism;
others trails of faith and optimism.
Some leave trails of criticism and resignation;
others trails of gratitude and hope.
What kind of trails do you leave?

~William Arthur Ward

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