Where is the Year Going? January's Speedy Transition to February

As the title of this post suggests, January simply flew by, and I can't believe we're already in the middle of February. Good times. Really, God is so, so good. 

The past weeks have been packed. Some highlights included a skiing adventure (Gubby and I had never gone before!), a trip to a semi-nearby German-themed "Christmas" town with our small group, a beautiful hike, and spending time with my nieces and nephew (baby Em has changed so much already!). Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and my Valentine and I had a fun, relaxed evening having dinner, exchanging chocolate, and watching The Incredibles 2 together. 

I've been learning a lot about trusting Christ in all things. Or, I should say, have been struggling with this and am praying for grace to let go of my life and surrender all aspects to him. On Wednesday, the high school group I help lead broke out into small groups and discussed Hebrews 4:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Hebrews 4:14-16 (English Standard). This passage was so encouraging, and also posed a challenge. We can, with confidence, hold fast to our confession of faith! Our Savior is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, loves us, and sits on the throne of grace! Oh, how incredible this truth is. We can draw near to the throne of the ETERNAL, OMNIPOTENT GOD; a throne of GRACE, offering us the underserved gift of MERCIFUL SALVATION and a relationship with the living God. Wow. Oh, for grace to trust Christ more. For grace to rest in the peace and joy he offers. For grace to share this incredible news with those who are lost. For grace to be on fire for Him, to put off my selfish desires and thoughts and truly make Him the throne of my heart, in all aspects of life.

Baby Em, making a hilarious face. 

 Me and Gubby (15) on our first skiing/snow boarding adventure. It was a lovely time, although Gubby sprained his wrist and sustained an impressive bloody/swollen nose.

 All the nieces and nephews (one nephew) together! 

Baby Em now -- she has changed so much already!

We took a lovely trip to visit my grandparents at the beach a few weeks back; we were so blessed with beautiful weather!

 A beautiful sunset.

 Part of  one of the two waterfalls we saw on our hike at the end of January!

 Dear, dear long-time friends. 

 Russian school -- learning prepositions!

 The Christmas store in the little Bavarian town!

 Sisters

 Auntie times

 Mozzarella (19) enjoying our recent sprinkling of snow

 Sweet Pea (16), Pollywog (21), Mozzarella, and I are taking a 6-week ballet workshop together!

 I don't think I will ever not like getting flowers!

 Baby Lucy and I last weekend! Munchette and I babysat 6 children under five years of age for 2.5 days; it was an exciting adventure. It did help that three of the kids were Squish, the Chunk, and Baby Lucy.

 The Squish enjoying the snow!

Babysitting adventures

My (dis)organized desk at work; honestly, I like it, even though it is kind of messy. 

Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia

Welcome, Baby Em!

Earlier this month, Clari and Cowboy welcomed their first child (and my third niece!) into the world, whom we shall name "Baby Em" for the sake of this blog. 

Baby Em has completely captured our hearts with her chubby cheeks, hilarious facial expressions, and little noises.

2019: Reflections on 2018 and Hopes for 2019

Last Friday, a dear friend, Fluff (as she has been dubbed by Mozzarella), and I were having a late-night dinner together and spending some time reflecting on this past year. Without hesitation, we both agreed that it had been one of the best years of our lives. For me, possibly the best year. 

Not because only good things happened (although this year tops most years for that as well), but because God is so faithful and His power and love have been so evident throughout the year.

Highlights include:

-Graduating college

-Traveling to the east coast

-Becoming involved in the high school ministry at church

-Serving at the high school camp

-Attending the young adults' retreat with our church

-Going hunting with family

-Being promoted to legal assistant at work

-Becoming an aunty to a second niece (and learning another niece is on the way!)

-Spending time with grandparents

-Developing deeper relationships with friends and family

-Spending more time in God's Word

Posting on this blog (almost) every month was a helpful way to keep a trail of the year, so I have decided to (attempt) to do the same for 2019. Folks, keeping a journal, diary, blog, or some sort of record is a great way to document and see God's faithfulness over time! Sometimes change or growth happens so gradually we don't see it until we stop, reflect, and look how far we've come.

Last January, I posted some "non-resolution hopes" I had for the new year. The top 3 hopes, in brief, were to 1) consistently spend more time in God's Word, 2) love others more, and 3) serve at church. While I hope to increase ever more in these areas, God has certainly grown me in these areas.

 Certainly, a new year is not the only time we should resolve to make change, but it is a good opportunity to reflect on your life and see where some changes may be necessary.  This year, I'm going to list more than just the broad areas I hope to improve/grow in/change.

1. Be transformed by God's Word and filled with His Spirit -- this kind of summarizes the hopes of last year. I pray that I will be able to spend more time mediating and acting on the Scriptures, praying, serving others,  and resultantly being continually transformed into a daughter of the King full of the peace and joy of salvation, able and eager to give an answer to any who ask about the hope within me. May Christ's love spur me to share the Gospel, in boldness, with those I meet.

2. Build deeper, more meaningful relationships with family and friends -- I hope to better love those individuals God has placed in my life, be more real with them, and learn how to better pour into their lives. 

3. Work harder, and as unto the Lord -- Not just at work, but also at home and at church. As an introvert, it's so easy to come home from a long day at work and want to loaf around the house, be alone, or relax. While this is appropriate in it's time, I need to have more self-discipline in finding the motivation to serve the family as time allows.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:24-25 (English Standard).

4. Spend more time learning Russian -- Okay, so I have really enjoyed the beginnings of learning this language, but am struggling with finding motivation and time to do any homework or persevere. I'm not the fastest learner and do not have the best memory, so am feeling discouraged with my progress. However, I am hoping to be more dedicated to learning Russian and applying it in practical life (with church members, family, friends, and even those individuals with whom we come in contact randomly).

5. Learn more humility and to ask for help -- The last few months have caused me to see that I unconsciously try to maintain an image of having a nice, put-together life and mindset, even to myself. I am learning that I need to be more open with my failings and willing to allow others in to hold me accountable to change. 

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 (English Standard). "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Galations 6:2-3 (English Standard).

In closing, her are some pictures from the Christmas season, aunty life, and our New Year's celebration.

 Christmas gifts under the tree. 

 11 p.m. Christmas Eve walk in our pajamas to our outdoor nativity scene.

 Baby Lucy, Christmas Day

 Family walk, Christmas Day

 The Chunk (2), Aunty Munchette, me, and Baby Lucy Christmas Day

The Chunk "helping" me research phone cases...his snuggles are some of the best.

 Dear forever friends 

 Bringing in a very Slavic new year!

Sweet Pea (17), New Year's Eve 

 Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia

Early Morning Musings: Celebrating The Season of God With Us

This morning, Saturday, I started waking up around 5 and couldn't sleep past 6, despite getting to bed after 11; ah well, I've decided to make the best use of the time and appreciate the silence of a sleeping house. It's actually been a (tired) blessing, even though I'm an 8-hours-of-sleep kind of lady. I was able to spend a few minutes with my dad this morning before he left for work, praying with him and chatting about the coming day. I love him so much and am so thankful for him. Now, I'm sitting by our beautiful Christmas tree with a cozy mug of matcha tea, a banana, a fluffy blanket, and soft Christmas music playing in the background. 

This past month has been lovely, and I've been consistently (although perhaps not consistently enough) reminded of the miracle of the Christmas season. Jesus Christ, Immanuel ("God with us") came down to earth in the form of a helpless child (born under questionable circumstances and in a stable!) for the sake of living a perfect life in a sinful world so He could be killed by and on behalf of those rebelling against Him.

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)." Matthew 1:23 (English Standard).

God literally came down to earth to dwell among us! "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (English Standard). 

Because of Christmas, all who call upon His name by faith, repenting from their sins and turning to Him for forgiveness, may be saved! See, e.g. Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13. 

This season is truly a time of great celebration for those who have been saved, a time for us to rejoice in God our Savior and be encouraged to share the hope of our salvation, which includes God with US!

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 3:21-28 (English Standard).

On a slightly different note, this last Wednesday, our family helped with the children's Christmas program at our church, Sweet Pea (17) as make-up artist and child wrangler, me as understudy and cue help, Munchette as Elizabeth, and Gubby (14) as Ceasar. We not only had a great time but were also to spend a lot of time better appreciating the story of Christ's birth! 

Merry Christmas!

Sonia

December Update

December is flying by, and it has truly been a lovely month. Here are a few pictures to document a few of the memories.

 Pollywog (21) is working at the lawfirm where Mozzarella (19) and I work during her Christmas Break from nursing school! While all three of us are in totally different positions and parts of the office, we still take time to have coffee breaks together -- Mozzarella is missing in the picture, unfortunately...

 One of the attorneys I support noted that he liked some of the Christmas decorations at my desk, so I bought him a creepy/cute santa-gnome for his desk.

 A friend and I were able to visit the reconstructed fort where I (now infrequently) volunteer for their Christmas event; we had a grand time making mini wreaths!

 Preparing Christmas gifts and cards for coworkers and bosses.

Christmas is a beautiful time of year; not only are we celebrating the birth of our Savior, but we do so with beautiful lights and decorations! May we not be distracted by these external, secular aspects of the Christmas season but remember to focus on the true Reason for Christmas.

Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia

Thanks be to God for His Inexpressible Gift! November Blessings.

December, how have you come so quickly? They say that as you grow older time flies faster; if this is the case -- and I think it actually is -- I'm in deep trouble. If time flies when you're in your 20s, it must go at light speed by middle-age.

I've really been struggling with maintaining a constant hope and joy in Christ; He is so faithful, though, and keeps bringing me back to Himself. For example, yesterday evening and this morning, I was fighting with various emotions and thoughts: feeling depressed over the death of a possibly unbelieving relative; despairing over my repetitively sinful state; anxious over life situations, work, and busyness; frustrated at my inability to learn Russian; and with peace in general. His mercies are new every day, though, and I'm trying to - - by HIS grace and strength -- choose joy and accept peace. He is good. He is kind. He is FAITHFUL. 

Speaking of His kindness, November really was a blessed month. Not only have I been challenged to have a stronger relationship with Christ through various circumstances, but have had the opportunity to take part in several activities, including but not limited to:

• Spending time with and getting to know fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Spending time in God's Word with some of those individuals.
• Enjoying several hikes and fall strolls.
• Attending a fantastic chocolate festival with family and friends (and purchasing and sampling way too much chocolate).
• Learning more Russian (although, as I alluded to earlier, I am probably one of the slowest learners out there).
• Learning to drive stick shift (sort of; I still have a ways to go, but it was a bucket list item that I can now check off!).
• Going late-season hunting on Thanksgiving with family and a friend (even though we didn't see anything until it was too dark to shoot).
• Spending time with family.
• Growing in my position at work as a legal assistant (I am slowly learning more about my attorneys' practices and am able to help with more substantive tasks!)
• Enjoying the beginnings of the Christmas season and listening to Christmas music.

As you can see, November was a blessed month. While not perfect -- and while I did not mention many of the negatives -- I am so thankful for the time spent and opportunities taken.

I've also been convicted of my lack of appreciation for the greatest gift: salvation from my sins and a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am good at "talking the talk," but when it comes down to "walking the walk" and reflecting Christ's love and sharing His Gospel of salvation, I fall so short. 

On my Bible app a while back, the "verse of the day" was a passage from 2 Corinthians, which said "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15 (English Standard). His grace is truly an inexpressible gift, and what should a believer's response be but to proclaim the truth of this gift, desiring to share it with the world? Why are we not "freaking out," so to speak, about the inexpressibleness (I am cognizant that this is not an actual word, but I like it) of His gift of SALVATION and a RELATIONSHIP with the one true GOD, the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and mankind?

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15: 13 (English Standard). I pray that I, and other believers, may be filled by God with all joy and peace so that -- by the power of the Holy Spirit! -- we may abound in hope. Being so filled by God, may our joy, peace, and hope (from God!) cause us to proclaim the glories of our Savior. Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

With the above scattered thoughts, here are several pictures from this blessed past month.

 This picture is kind of weird but it's candid and the happiness in it makes me happy. 

 We truly had a beautiful fall.

 Sisters at the chocolate festival. This year, I spent more time with the friends I came with than with these dear sisters, but the time spent with them was, as usual, incredible. So thankful for family.

 Baby Lucy continues to capture our hearts with her sweet personality.

 Beautiful sunset over the river.

 When it's 7 a.m., no one in your department is in yet, and there is horrible jazz music playing somewhere in the office...

 This picture says it all.

 Hunting this Thanksgiving -- or, I suppose, taking a break to enjoy the incredible views.

 Mini-man (12) and Gubby (14) hunting like bosses.

 Family of hunters.

 Traditional mid-night "Black Friday" adventure.

 Baby Lucy and Mozzarella (19) being adorable.

 Pollywog is working at the same firm as Mozzarella and I during her winter break from nursing school! Triple trouble, we are.

 It's beginning to look like Christmas! 

 Four years at this firm; my boss wrote a lovely note thanking me "for being me." It brought a smile to my face. So thankful to work at such a great firm.

 Auntie Sweet Pea (17) and Baby Lucy.

 A candid family shot. The quality isn't the best and the picture isn't the most flattering, but it's a snapshot of my family, and I love it.