Turning the Page

I love a new year! The clean slate. The excitement. The looking back at what’s past, and looking ahead to what could be. And so, as I sat outside on the balcony last night, looking over this community that is my new home, and watching the fireworks as they geared up to ring in 2013, I reminisced about precious memories from 2012…

*Holding Ava Lorraine for the first time

* Working with MAW and meeting Faith’s family at the airport

* Sitting on the floor of Evan & Jill’s house, being prayed for by four sobbing little ones the night before I moved to Costa Rica

* Seeing a shooting star in Nicaragua

* Riding the waves at North Beach with Chris & Amy

* Sitting on a rock in the middle of the river for hours, talking to Craig

* Being together as family at Wes & Kate’s wedding

* My last Sunday at MVCC… Amanda yelling “You got this, Linds” as the tears wouldn’t stop part way through my sharing, being surrounded by love and support of my family and friends, and sent out on this adventure by people who trust in a God who is faithful always

* Watching my “kids” grow on the trip to CR in July

* Going to the shooting range for the first time

* Motorcycle trip around Cape Ann with Nate & Amy

* Saying goodbye to writer’s block

* Driving to Nova Scotia with my two big brothers, in a bright yellow Camaro

* Sister dates with both Sara & Jill

* Seeing Drewey’s face when I walked into her school to spend the day

* Sitting in the kitchen during my second week in Costa Rica, crying and eating cookie dough with Diana

* Surprising Mom in the parking lot of a Nova Scotia Walmart

* Hugging Mom & Dad goodbye at the airport

* Playing the tourist in Northern NH with Amy

2012 felt like a year of goodbyes… but along with those, came hellos. There were countless hugs and countless tears – moments I never want to forget, and moments that I long to have washed out of my memory.  It included new love and heartbreak. The freedom of selling or packing everything I own, and moving from my own apartment to communal living… from my beloved NH, to another country and culture. I mourned what could have been in my relationship with my Grandmother, yet rejoiced that she is now living in fullness of life, face-to-face with her Savior. I went from sleeping on a queen size bed, to a little twin mattress. I discovered the true meaning of God’s promised “peace that passes understanding.” And instead of hugging my nieces and nephews on a frequent basis, I’m loving on little ones who try to teach me Spanish.

But most of all, I see that 2012 was covered with God’s fingerprints.  Having family and my closest friends far away, I learned in new ways that Jesus is faithful. Always.

 

And I’m filled with much hope in looking at 2013!

Happy New Year, my friends!