End of the year reflection...

I have been studying my brains out this week so I thought I would take a little break to focus on all of the blessings in my life and the amazing things God has done this year. I think it's easy to forget to stop and smell the flowers when things seem so hectic. 

Well I am just about finished with fall quarter, which means I only have two quarters left before I graduate! I am so excited yet kinda sad that this chapter of my life is approaching it's end. I have been in college since high school and after this it's time to move on to more "grown up" things =) Instead of being anxious, I am finding myself embracing and really enjoying my time at CSUSB. It will be over before I know it! I also got a part time Job at Starbucks since I will only be going to school two days a week next quarter. I am really excited and I have always wanted to work there!

Marcos and I have been so blessed by God's grace this year. He has given us a beautiful little home that I am so thankful for. It is amazing to me how God does things that we wouldn't think are possible... at least right now. We have gotten into the routine of lots of bargain shopping and coupon clipping, but it makes grocery shopping that much more fun and challenging =)

We have had our fair share of car trouble (with me stranded in the center divider of the freeway trying not to cry while really fast cars zoom by me!) Some days Marcos was forced to listen to my oh-so-amazing voice singing him christmas carols at 7 AM on his way to work because we only had one car. (That was normally his quiet time... poor guy!)  Things were a little uncomfortable for awhile but we made great memories out of them and it is very humbling. 

I am amazed how God really does pull through and continue to provide even when we don't see extra money in our bank account. I feel so blessed beyond words to think that I have a warm bed to sleep in, warm water available anytime I want to shower, a refrigerator to keep our food from spoiling, a wash machine so that we don't have smelly clothes =), and vehicles that get us to where we need to go...  It is so easy to take these everyday things for granted when in many parts of the world, they are absolute luxuries! We are so well taken care of!

I am so thankful for our parents and families who are always there for us and go out of their way to help make life a little easier. Honestly, my parents and Marcos' parents are the most selfless people I have ever met. They are givers from their hearts and love us more than we could probably even understand. I am so thankful for the family God has given us.

I am also very thankful for our small group and the rest of the amazing friends in our lives. It is so nice to have people that will hold you accountable, and be there for you when you just need someone to talk. I miss my best friends in West Virginia but I am excited to see them this summer! I miss my brother Billy and am really excited for him to get married in Mexico next October! Our nephew Broc is getting so big and each time I see him I just want to squeeze him! I also think about how he is going to need a cousin here pretty soon =) All in God's timing.

And most of all, I am so thankful for my best friend Marcos. He is a good man. I learn something new from him everyday and I admire his hard work and determination. I am so thankful that he has provided for me more than I deserve. He loves me even when I am moody and tells me I'm most beautiful right when I wake up. I am so thankful that it is his desire to see me achieve my dreams, and more importantly, to see us both grow closer to the Lord each day. He is my most precious blessing and I love him so much more today than when we got married. 

I thank God today for making my life so rich in blessing. He has given me more than I deserve and I appreciate every single person he has brought into my life to make it so meaningful. 

We look forward to seeing all that God has for us in 2009!  Blessings to you all!

"Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind. Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny." -Ecclesiastes 6: 9-10

Thank you for being a part of my life and for all your prayers. God amazes me!