The last day of the year ... Tomorrow is the beginning of a brand new year. The first week of January will also mark the seven year anniversary of being on my own. It is hard to believe that it was just seven years ago that I quietly crept out of the house at 2:00 in the morning seeking safety in a world that had suddenly turned upside down.
Seven years has brought me a lot of healing and a greater understanding of what had brought me to that dark and frightening night. It has also brought compassion for the man who in his own hurt and brokenness, hurt me.
Here are some of the things that I have learned in the last 7 years.
1. I am not defined by the things that have happened to me.
2. There is healing and life beyond the hurt.
3. Being alone is okay.
4. Forgiveness is real and ongoing.
5. People do not always understand your journey.
6. People do not have to understand my journey .... I need to,understand it.
7. Living in honesty and openness can be scary.
8. Living in honesty and openness is worth it.
9. Love is worth the risk.
10. I cannot out give God or His love.
My prayer is that I will continue to learn and to grow as I continue my journey. I also pray for all of those who feel trapped and afraid tonight. I pray that they will find freedom, healing and the reality of God's love.
Looking forward to the year ahead ....
Just Connie
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Christmas 2015
Another Christmas come and gone already .... It is hard to believe that I am already 2 days past Christmas and 2016 is fast approaching. The last week has been a blur of activities.
Christmas Eve I packed up all the presents and headed up to my parents for the big Family celebration. It was wonderful to see everyone, but I did not get the chance to visit nearly as much as I wanted to with everyone. It was absolute chaos .... Some things never change.
Christmas morning I popped out of bed at 5 and opened up stocking gifts with mom and dad. I love that time with them and I am grateful that I have been able to have that time with them the last 6 years. By 7am I was on the road headed back to Willamina for the Coomunity Christmas Dinner. I pulled into our local restaurant about 9 and hit the ground running. My job this year was to recruit, organize and oversee the 50+ volunteers that make this dinner possible.
By 3:00 I was waving goodbye to the last volunteers after having served over 530 meals and giving away countless toys to the children who were there. I left there feeling tired but certain that we had really done a good thing. From there I headed down to the Fire Hall to check on those who were on duty. After visiting for a couple of hours, I headed home to put my feet up and relax.
As I have reflected on what a good day it was, I recognize the importance of staying busy and the importance of serving others to make my Christmas meaningful. It completely changes my outlook and attitude when I do.
I am grateful for the opportunities to serve that I have been given. I am grateful for the life and joy it brings into my life.
I can hardly wait until next year ....
Just Connie
Christmas Eve I packed up all the presents and headed up to my parents for the big Family celebration. It was wonderful to see everyone, but I did not get the chance to visit nearly as much as I wanted to with everyone. It was absolute chaos .... Some things never change.
Christmas morning I popped out of bed at 5 and opened up stocking gifts with mom and dad. I love that time with them and I am grateful that I have been able to have that time with them the last 6 years. By 7am I was on the road headed back to Willamina for the Coomunity Christmas Dinner. I pulled into our local restaurant about 9 and hit the ground running. My job this year was to recruit, organize and oversee the 50+ volunteers that make this dinner possible.
By 3:00 I was waving goodbye to the last volunteers after having served over 530 meals and giving away countless toys to the children who were there. I left there feeling tired but certain that we had really done a good thing. From there I headed down to the Fire Hall to check on those who were on duty. After visiting for a couple of hours, I headed home to put my feet up and relax.
As I have reflected on what a good day it was, I recognize the importance of staying busy and the importance of serving others to make my Christmas meaningful. It completely changes my outlook and attitude when I do.
I am grateful for the opportunities to serve that I have been given. I am grateful for the life and joy it brings into my life.
I can hardly wait until next year ....
Just Connie
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