I cannot believe that the end of a decade is coming upon us. Time keeps flying by me, and as I get older it is going faster. (In my mind I still feel so young. I did spend most of my twenties in this decade.) So here is a short (well at least I tried to keep it short) recap of the decade. I got this great idea from Rachel at Musings of a Future Pastor’s Wife.
2000 (I was 21 when this year began.)
Husband and I publically gave our life to God in front of church. He was baptized as I stood beside him in front of all and both rededicated our life to God. (Basically a public showing of what had happened already in our heart.)
Finally finished my 2 year degree and decided I wanted to major in Sociology.
Husband got out of the Navy and we made the decision to move to California so he could attend a Bible college. We decided that evangelism was going to be the direction our life would go.
Continued working as a Histology Tech in downtown Sacramento. I hated the hours, loved the pay.
2001
Moved in with church members in West Sacramento. (Strange what you will do when you are young to help the church save money.)
Husband worked first job as a Bible worker while I continued working as a Histology Tech.
Acquired a dog from the family we lived with. D.J. He became our child, our best friend, and we loved him like no other animal.
Moved to Ukiah for a 1 year position for my husband as a Bible worker for the local church.
Could not find a job and became depressed.
Started taking classes at local college which I loved.
2002
Working for the Lord can be very lonely. Went through personal crisis, marriage crisis, and came out better than before. God is so good! He can turn the tables always.
Found a great job working in hospital as a tech again.
Extended the Ukiah position for another year.
Watched a close friend get baptized as a result of our Bible studies.
2003
Husband conducted a community seminar at the church resulting in 17 baptisms! God is so good. No one would in our previous lost life would ever recognize my husband.
Husband got a call from Amazing Facts to be an associate speaker. We jumped at the chance. His dream was coming true. I faithfully stood beside him and quit my job to travel the country.
Stayed in Belen, NM for four months. Not too fun but sometime wonderful. Church issues really make things difficult. We realized we needed God more than ever. We could do nothing without Him.
Witnessed miracles and changed lives which is humbling.
Next stop: Colorado. A great seminar, with a great church. We loved Colorado and we saw the Aspen’s change in the Rocky National Park.
2004
Husband’s job took us to Cincinnati, Witchita, and California.
It was a year of Satan attacking not only my husband but also his seminars. But God can prevail. And again and again, we witnessed this.
Went to Kentucky for a family vacation after we finished Cincinnati. What a great time caving, riding horses, and eating out.
Hated the cicadas as we barely survived a summer of 17 year Cicadas and humidity in Ohio.
2005
Wow, I am having a hard time even remembering 2005, I am getting old! It definitely included two different trips to West Virginia.
I do now we had a great time vacationing in Washington D.C. and New York City. To think that little old me would be traveling around the country and seeing all these great places. God is good! I can’t say it enough.
2006
After getting my 2 year degree in 2000, it was difficult to finish my four year. So after a few years of classes at various colleges, I finished it online at Thomas Edison State College. A Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. (One day I want to finish my Master’s. Debating in my mind still what I want to get it in…)
Position opened up at the same college my husband attended to teach. We decided it was time to take a break and settle down in a home.
Got a job as an administrative assistant for the academic dean of Weimar College.
Lived in a great community on the campus and made great friends. (Life Long Friends.)
Made the HUGE decision to try and have our first child! (Wow, what took so long? … Fear I am sure.)
Went on a mission trip to Cartegena, Colombia. My eyes were open to how people in third world countries live. Which in turn made me thankful for all the blessings God gives to me. I don’t deserve any of them, I know, but nonetheless I am thankful.
2007
In March we found out we were pregnant!
It’s a girl, in case you haven’t figured it out. (We already had the names picked out for years. Isaac for a boy, Isabella for a girl. Isabella it is!)
I visited the great state of Alaska for the first time while 5 months pregnant. Had a great time. Love that red salmon chowder 😉
Friday the middle of December was my last day of “work”. I had my Princess on Monday. The pregnancy was pretty great.
The labor was excrutiating but quick. I had Isabella at the Birth Center, no drugs, with a CNM, RN, and doula present. Plus a wonderful birth coach – my Prince Charming, Tyler.
2008
Life as a stay at home mom changes you completely. “Work” was never this hard.
Moved twice (just within 30 minutes of each home) and that was not fun.
Found it difficult to maintain a good devotional life. (Still find it difficult. Pray for me.)
Began blogging, saving money, and using coupons. (Now I am hooked on only buying things on sale or with great deals.)
Proud as my husband finished his MBA. Feeling like I want to finish mine. (Now what should I do it in?)
2009
The great idea of moving back to Washington started creaping into our chats. (My fingers were crossed but I didn’t want to hope too much.)
Visited London and Paris for a family summer trip. Wow! After being blown away that we traveled the USA, to think we went to England and France? Only by God’s great blessings.
Decided YES! We are moving back to Washington, going back on the road to travel the world sharing God’s love.
Bought our first home – a foreclosure in a private community. Beautiful home with access to golf course, 2 pools, 2 beaches, boat docks, library, tennis courts, and playground. Never growing up would I imagine myself living here (It is in the same town.)
Hosted our first family Christmas dinner in our new home.
I am thankful for all of God’s blessings in my life. I cannot believe that he has done so much for me in 1 decade. I guess you don’t realize it until you write it all down. Then it blows you away, how awesome He truly is. I love my family so much and cannot believe that I am this happy.
I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us this next decade!
