This Is Kristin

I am currently reading “The Shack,” given to me as a present. I am almost done with it, and just starting to “get it.” It is written in a very different and creative way, and takes awhile to understand. Once you do though, it’s very good. It’s definitely one of those you could read more than once to understand it better.

Next on my night stand to read is a new Francine Rivers book called “Reedeming Love.” I love how Francine Rivers writes and am so excited to dive into it.

*What are you reading now? Have you read either of these books, what did you think?

On Christmas Eve we were sitting around our living room, waiting for the boys to wake up from their naps, when two police cars, a fire truck, and an ambulance pulled up in front of our house. We watched as people went in and out of our neighbors home, and stood in their driveway hugging one another and filling out paper work.

Awhile later we were informed that our next door neighbor, Troy, had passed away. He’d lived alone, and was a very nice and friendly man, when we saw him. His parents had driven up for Christmas and had found that he’d passed away.

We don’t know the details, but it is just a very sad thing. It’s strange to drive by the house and see it dark and vacant, and without it’s cars in the driveway or the dog barking at night. I feel so bad for his parents and family and can’t imagine what they must be feeling right now.

*We wish you a Merry Christmas!

This post is not a happy one, but one that I feel I need to aknowledge those this time of year who are really struggling, and most likely not at all in the “Christmas spirit.” It’s for people who need prayer and remembrance right now, even as we are enjoying this holiday season. So please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers.

~My friend’s baby daughter has heart problems, and has a friend who just lost her 2 year old daughter the other day to the same heart problems. This family also just lost their Grandmother, so this Christamas will be a sad one for them.

~The Lamberth family, whom I’ve only heard of through the Whittaker woman blog, whose husband was in a bad accident and is currently in a comma. I can’t imagine the desperation that his family must be feeling right now.

During this time of year it seems that heartache is intensified, and it’s hard I am sure to feel in a celebratory mood. These people that we may not know or ever heard of, need us to pray for them, and to not forget them, in our times of celebration.

First of all I want to say that the Andrew Peterson “Behold the Lamb of God,” show was amazing once again.  I love how every year they do different songs.  It was so fun to have people with us this year, and friends out in the audience as well, to share the experience with.  It is one of our favorite traditions.  

Secondly, we had the priveledge of having Daniel and his wife (who I just learned has a blog) stay with us, and got to know them and their sweet baby girl.  They are some of the nicest people, we loved hanging out with them.  

Thirdly, it has been so wonderful to spend time with Brody’s parents, and to share with them some of the things that we’ve been doing out here during the holidays these past few years.  It’s also been nice to have so much help and our pantry stocked!  

Fourth-ly, (?) We were able to go on a limo ride thanks to my dad to view great Christmas light displays, how fun is that? Story and pictures, here.

We have been blessed so greatly by our family and friends this month, it has just been overwhelming and wonderful.

~ We’ve been busy catching up with family, and getting ready for Christmas.   The boys, Brody, their Mammo and I sat down and painted some ornaments last night, which I think will be precious to have in the years to come, and is a very fun memory for the kids.  

~Tonight we get to go to our traditional Andrew Peterson “Behold the Lamb of God,”  Christmas show, and we are excited to share the experience with some new friends, and our parents.  

~My friend gets the yearly very “creative” Christmas letter, with the family and their year put into a them-ed story, with them as the characters…. this year the theme was “Scooby Doo,”  complete with him saying things in the “raa roo” kind of way…. (anyone else get crazy Christmas letters?)  

~ I want to watch a Christmas movie for our family night this week- new or old, what is your suggestion?

Sunday  Randomness:

• Cleaning cleaning cleaning- the theme of the day. 
• My husband thinks someone slipped our kids lots of sugar when we weren’t looking, I think it was more like a couple of Red Bulls.  
• Thinking about L.O.S.T. and wondering what is going to happen?  What do you think is going to happen?
• I decided today, that as much as I love Mrs. Turner, I don’t think I’ll ever get a cat again, just because I loathe changing the litter box.  
• Is it mean to laugh when my husband gets the hiccups and it makes him mad? 
• Loving Michael Scotts‘ twitter. 
• Driving the other night through back roads and seeing the full moon glow on the snowy fields, was, I am sure, where they got the phrase, “winter wonderland.”
• My baby boy loves to wear rain boots.  He’s wearing them right now over his jammies, in bed. 
• ….and he’s incredibly photogenic.  
• Happy Sunday, Happy traveling, Happy Visiting! 
• SSS.

I love to learn. I am one of those (weird) ones who could go to school my whole life. I think it’s a blessing, because I very easily accept the wisdom of others, so therefore I learn quickly.

However, the lessons I don’t enjoy are the lessons in life, that cost friendships, that cause financial setbacks, that take me off of God’s path for a season.

This past year I have learned a lot about myself. It has been the hardest year of my marriage, the hardest year thus far in Tenessee, and the hardest year in my adult life. There have been a tremendous amount of trials, and they’ve tested every ounce of my strength in every area of my being.

I’ve found out how selfish I can be. I’ve found out how scared I can be. I’ve found out who and what I lean on instead of leaning on God. I’ve found out who and what I take for granted. I’ve found out how weak and impatient I am.  I’ve learned that I “nurse” my wounds for a long time, and how selfish that is.

I’ve learned to trust God. I’ve learned to see things in a bigger way, and outside of my own circumstance. I’ve learned there’s more in this world than just my small world. I’ve learned to budget. I’ve learned to think through situations differently, to do what is right and wise, instead of what I feel like in that moment. 

Although both my husband and I are ecstactic to see this year come to a close, we are both coming out of this most difficult year as changed people, and although a lot of our struggles are not over, we are able to view them differently and approach things more confidently.  We are able to look back and say to ourselves “look at how far we’ve come-” When all we did at times was hang on.  I am grateful for these hard times, even though I wish we never had to go through these situations in the first place, we have grown, and that is the most important thing about trials.

*How has this year been for you?  Are you glad or sad to see it come to a close?

*Wordless Wednesday.