The fact that 2008 is coming to a close leaves me with mixed feelings. In many ways I feel like many things were accomplished and happened that were positive; but, in other ways I feel like there are many things that I did not accomplish that I had really hoped to do.
2008 started out in a semi-stressful yet hopeful situation. I have had a problem with blood-clotting in the past and an ongoing problem with ovarian cyst. My DH and I spent the first few days of 2008 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville seeing specialists. We left Mayo not really finding out any new information about my conditions. However, I am glad that I didn't find out any bad news. So, right from the beginning God reminded me to count my many blessings.
This year, God is continuing to teach me patience. Ever since a couple of months after my miscarriage we have been trying to get pregnant. My doctor talked to my husband and I about starting Clomid last February. However, I had two rather large ovarian cyst one after another and my doctor decided that I couldn't begin the medicine. In August, my doctor decided to allow me to begin taking Clomid for 6 months since I hadn't had any cysts in several months. So far I have been taking the Clomid for four months. We are just praying that the medicine will work for the next two months and that my cysts will stay away. Hopefully, our prayer for a little one will be answered in 2009. I just need to rest in God's timing and the peace He gives my anxious heart.
In May, I completed my Bachelors degree in Public Relations and a minor in Political Science. It took me a year longer to complete due to my miscarriage. However, I did finally complete it and I have the paper to prove it. Praise the Lord I am finally finished!
This summer my DH spent most of his time studying for his comprehensive exams. However, he was very diligent about spending quality time with me on a regular basis. One thing we did over the summer was take ballroom dancing classes at the local community college. We had so much fun and we learned a lot. We learned the Foxtrot, West Coast Swing, the Cha-Cha, the Waltz (my personal favorite), and the Rumba. Hopefully we will get to take the more advanced class this spring.
This fall I also had the opportunity to take an introduction to photography class at the local community college. I learned a lot of information and as I put what I learned into practice I can see improvement in my photos.
This past September my DH completed and passed his doctoral comprehensive exams with distinction. (Please pardon my bragging on my DH, I am just too proud of him.) My DH also submitted a couple of job applications. One job that he applied for was at the university that he is currently at. The other job that he applied for was in Chicago. My DH was offered the job where he currently works and we accepted it in November. While living in Chicago could be fun, I am southern girl at heart and the closer to our families the better. So needless to say, I am very happy that we will stay put in Texas for at least a year and a half longer. This job will also hopefully help my DH get a job in the southeastern U.S. in the next few years. God has shown Himself more than capable to handle my DH and I's plans by opening up doors that we didn't even know were there. It is amazing how God does that!
The presidential election this November was a really big deal this year. I contributed my vote and the outcome is known. Now I hope that you will join me in prayer for the new president and keep in mind that God is sovereign over everything (including the setting up of kings and leaders). God has given me peace about resting in His control of the political systems of the world. A song from Sunday School comes to mind, "He's got the whole world in His hands, He's got the whole world in His hands..."
Within a week of arriving home from our trip to Florida for Thanksgiving, Jackson joined our crew of dogs. While we still aren't sure if he is staying or not, he did make the trip to Florida with us and seems to fit in just fine. We just keep asking ourselves "Do we really need to have FOUR dogs? FOUR DOGS???" I am sure that you will find out the answer to that question in the months ahead.
This past year I got to visit my family a whole lot more than I did the previous year. My sister came for a visit in March, my in-laws came for a visit in May, I went to the Deeper Still conference with the mom and sister in June, my parents came out for a visit in early August, I was a bridesmaid in a Florida friend's wedding in September, we traveled home to be with family for Thanksgiving, and a little over two weeks later traveled back to Florida for Christmas. See I told you it was often. I am so blessed that God allowed me such wonderful opportunities to spend time with my family this past year. Hopefully I won't be too spoiled for next year.
This year also afforded me with some time to read books I wanted to read. In the past, I always had some sort of reading to do for class. However, since college is now behind me, required reading is also a thing of the past. I broke a personal record for the amount of non-required books I read in a year. I look forward to reading many more books in the year to come.
Quiet Strength
What Jane Austin Taught Me About Love and Romance
Wuthering Heights
Redeeming Love (finally finished it after 2 years)
Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
Creative Home Organizer
