Happy New Year | A Few Things

Hello! Hello! Happy to begin a new year full of new possibilities, new adventures, a new One Little Word,  and goals.

To get you up to speed, my mom purchased a home near us in early December, and besides the usual December activities, Mick and I traveled to Oahu, Hawaii in early December and then the whole family made our annual family road trip to Colorado. Suffice it to say December was a whirlwind of activity, blessings, and adventures. I am happy to finally be home now though,and to be back at scrapbooking and creating.


This is my first layout of the year which I created for Come On Get Crafty and using the Ali Edwards Daily Stamp set and lots of gold goodness. More details on the COGC blog. It documents some of my goals for 2015.

Below is my first creation with October Afternoon goodies of the year. The inspiration for my design was the image of this butterfly-like cloud formation that I captured on the North Shore of Oahu.
It took my breath away with its beauty and significance. It captures the essence of my One Little Word for this year; "courage." #olw

Lastly, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Cocoa Daisy February kits; Journal Entry. In the meantime, here is a sneak of some of the lovely kit contents!!

So, how is the start of your new year going? Any resolutions or are you more of a goal setter? I have a tendency to prefer the latter. ;)

Be back soon!

Suz

Finding Joy in...

...a beautiful sunrise (yes, I was actually up early enough to enJOY it)!

...a new washing machine (and dryer) that actually washes (and that chirps out a little diddy at the end of the cycle to let me know it is done washing). Goodbye washer from 1994...you served us well. And for that, I thank you.

...a young boy who loves to cook and to serve people (He took the initiative to slice up cheese and add pepperoni to the crackers and present them to our family guests on a platter! (So sweet, that little dude!)

Finding J.O.Y in 2011

Happy 2011 Everyone! Hope your New Year's Eve was safe, healthy and reflective. I know as I begin this journey into 2011, I find myself looking back--thinking about those loved ones I have lost in the last 12 months and my loved ones who have lost others/lost something (marriages, pets, jobs, etc) as well.  However, in reflecting back on people or things I have lost or have less of, I find myself wanting more.
Yes, re-read that sentence again. I really meant what I typed.
I want more.

Wanting to make more (actually the most) of my time here on earth.
Wanting to be  more productive.
Wanting to make more of a difference.
Wanting  more to not take each day for granted.
Wanting more to not take relationships for granted.
Wanting more to not take God for granted.
Wanting to find more ...joy.

JOY as in:

1. Jesus -Putting him first in my daily routine, beginning each day with some quiet moments in prayer and reflection and praise. Prioritizing my life to put Him first and to try to consciously keep Him the priority throughout my day. (In which case, I really need to rearrange and priortize my "wants" in the above paragraph appropriately.

2. Others: Developing, nurturing and growing my servant's heart. Some days I do this well, but truthfully and sadly, many days I fall short of exhibiting a servant's heart with a selfless, positive attitude. Many times I find myself resentful of the daily "yuk"-the things that need to get done, to be put away, to be cleaned up, things that can and oftentimes are overlooked and unappreciated by my family. Just being honest here.
But, perhaps, if I change my attitude toward service and remember that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples without a complaint, than who am I to have a begrudging, bad attitude when it comes to serving others, especially my family? Why is it sometimes we have a kinder, my gracious, generous, selfless attitude when we serve strangers, or acquaintances than we do our own "family?" Is it because they are so much more appreciative or is it possibly, (just possibly) that the attitude I serve with is diversely different?
Just musing out loud here.

3. Myself: Putting my self last, (well, actually in this case, third, if we're counting). Not to the extent that I am a doormat for others to walk all over, but placing myself last because the realization has hit me over this past year(s) that when I have followed the sequencing of the acronym above, I have found myself to be happier, more-fulfilled, and more content. When I haven't ordered daily life in this sequence, I have found myself feeling frustrated, resentful and taken for granted. How must Jesus feel to know I've put him last on so many occasions?

I'm just sayin, as Dr. Phil says, "Well, how's that been workin' fer ya?"
To that I respond, "Not so great."

So, I'm moving forward to 2011, with a hope and some prayers, that I will spend the next 365 days (God willing) living and serving a

 "J.O.Y.-ful" life, with a selfless spirit and servant's heart.

Props out to Ali E for providing the impetus for me embarking on this year long journey with her little online class entitled "One Little Word." Click here for more info: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/classes.php