Oh dear....it's pretty long

Well, I seriously cannot believe that it's the last day of 2008. This day always sneaks up somehow and this year is no different. The last 2 weeks have been a fury of activity and I'm trying to wrap my brain around all that went on between Jingle Jam and New Years Eve. It seems like it would be impossible for 11 days to go by any faster, but somehow Jingle Jam still feels like a lifetime ago. There are so many moments that I don't want to forget, so many memories jam packed in to so few days.
With Uncle Matt on Christmas Eve

-the feeling of JJ being over...singing The Greatest Gift for the last time....handing out flowers to well-deserving peeps, and huddling together for millions of pics
-watching my gmas attempt DDR
-last minute shopping with my cousin and bro and pausing for some chill time in borders
-the way Avery looked on Christmas Eve
-seeing Valkyrie with my cousins, bro, uncle and dad on Christmas night
-yummy crockpot soups and trivial pursuit with the whole clan...our last hoorahFamily Picture on Christmas Eve after the service at Vanguard.

I'm consumed with sentiment as I think over all that 08 has meant for our family........

Avery began 08 as a 7 month old who pretty much just sat and looked around, I remember being convinced that she would never crawl. How amazing to see all that takes place in their little lives over the course of a single year. It was thrilling to watch her turn one, learn to walk, comprehend so much, begin saying a multitude of words and turn from a baby into a little girl, quite literally.
Avery at 8 months in January of 08

Dave forked over hundreds of hours of free time for the sake of our backyard. What sacrifices he made for this little respite for our family. He continues to show incredible work ethic and discipline at HTE and in some new business ventures. He maintains such a sense of purpose and productivity all of the time, it's amazing to watch him day in and day out.

My role as a working mom quickly came into question following the appearance of two little lines on a pregnancy test. God sent me on a 6 week roller coaster, praying and pleading for His will. My raw emotions that are so deeply tied into ministering to the children at Vanguard were laid bare and at the end of a long journey, I felt incredibly at peace that God would have me lay down my role as Associate Children's pastor for a time. This feels like the biggest and hardest decision that I have ever had to make and continues to be a struggle as I help usher the Children's Ministry at Vanguard into a new season of journeying with families. With my group of 2nd and 3rd grade girls....God's Girls

Much of 08 has been feverishly spent planning for Jingle Jam and praying for God's blessing over this major launch into Family Ministry. And much of 09 will be spent on another aspect of Family Ministry, Caspian's Castle (our vacation bible blast). This will be my last (official on staff) attempt at leaving a legacy for the kids and families at Vanguard. After the kids walk through the Castle on that very last day, my official Vanguard work will be over.

I can only peer into all that 09 will bring with peace because I am comforted by the knowledge that His promises are 100 percent true, He is 100 percent faithful, and my purpose is 100 percent clear...to bring Him glory. My deepest prayers for 09 are for Avery to truly feel God's love for her as she becomes a big sister, that a bond will develop between these two that will link their hearts for a lifetime. That Dave will sense the pleasure of the Lord as he so amazingly leads our family, that career decisions would be fabulously clear and that he would have a sense of confidence in all that he puts his hand and heart to. That baby girl #2 would grow and develop perfectly until sometime in March, that I would have the strength and confidence to bring her into this world, that life with a new born would be easier than I remember :), that Caspian's Castle would do exactly what God wants in the hearts of kids and families, and that my heart would be full as I leave this "oh so dear to my heart" position, knowing that God has called, that I am striving to walk in obedience and that He is faithful.

With so much love in our hearts for those of you who uniquely challenge, shape and journey with us, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.....the Houles.