January 21, 2026
A new year.
2025 was a year of growth. Of stretching. Of relying on the LORD through never-ending morning sickness, missing heart-sisters, becoming members at our new church, supporting Kem through the most challenging year for Avoda yet, being "unemployed" for the first time in years, and trying to figure out how on earth to be a wife. The LORD is so very good, and held me up through my floundering countless times. One of the verses I repeated to myself over and over again (especially while in labor) was Isaiah 40:31.
"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength- They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. The will walk and not grow faint."
And then, later on when I was deep in The Green Ember, "It will not be so in the Mended Wood."
The slightly gloomy tone of those mantras aside, 2025 brought countless more Good Things than bad- the moment that felt like time stopped, looking down at a positive pregnancy test. A long-awaited one, at that. 2 years celebrated with my Best Friend- and 365 more days getting to know him better, laugh and fall more in love with him. Visits with those heart sisters that felt like childhood reimagined- babies in the picture this time around. Fifty some books read. Adventures, trips, and travels. More art projects. Our own sweet, delightful baby- squishy and hairy and wild. Laughter with friends and family around tables- sometimes our table, in our own house!
The little moments of wonder were just as influential as the big. Tiny hands caught in my sweater at midnight. Sunbeams, glowy and warm, sifting through leaves onto my espresso machine in the early mornings. Handmade quilts with colors so bright and vibrant it aches. The sound of pages turning. The ever-present sense of sehnsucht. And here we are- another year given to push deeper, glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.
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What a beautiful post! What beautiful words, to wrap up and tie with a ribbon, the gifts of last year. And what wise sentiment, to acknowledge the hard but end with eyes open to gifts. It is amazing how quickly they come, even in the midst of hardness and pain, when your eyes are wide open to them. May the Lord give eyes wide open this coming year to all of His mercies, new every morning.
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