I pressed the key on my computer to publish. What was I doing? I didn't have a clue. I had only read one blog in my life. I didn't know what I was stepping into. I didn't have a vision, nor a direction. I didn't even have a name...I just guessed at one. All I knew was I was in a hole and I needed to climb out. Maybe by working things out on paper I could survive. Thus began my blogging journey.
The pit I was digging out of started with the loss of life as I had dreamed it would be and what I knew. We had lost the "American Dream". The one you hear about all your life. Home ownership, after 28 years of mortgage payments, had slipped through our hands. The economy was nose diving and we were the product of this turn. Our age would not be to our advantage for job options. The mortgage companies wouldn't work with us and interest rates were high.
I began to blog.
In blog world, I found support. I found women who had walked through this journey and many who had walked through much more. ALL pointed to their source - Jesus Christ.
Through the years there would be deeper pits and still higher mountain tops... unemployment, another move contrasting with marriages, graduations, grandchildren and new jobs.
This year, my typing keys were more silent. I would write in my head, but the words never seemed to manifest on the computer, nor the "publish" button pushed. I don't know why, but that's okay. I want this blog to be my journey and sometimes the journey makes you stop and be still.
Today, I leave you with little Instagrams of this year. If I summed it up, it would be "Life is found in the Instant Moments"... those moments that bring us joy in our journey. Instagram provided me balance and helped me look for those moments.
I thank you all for your support...your blogs...your prayers and personal emails. The Body of Christ is BEAUTIFUL. As I gathered around our large, ornament-filled Christmas tree, I was reminded from each ornament of how faithful God truly is. I look forward to 2016!!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Our oldest son bought himself a sports car for his 32nd birthday. It is stick and he allowed me to drive it. Now this instant was a blast!!! After all.....I did give him birth!
Twins are just too much fun!!!
Grandsons...and Grand mommy babysitting. This filled my life with joy this year. Anchor has dark hair like I did as a baby. He is our youngest grandson.
Don't blink or this one is out of your site. When you take twins, two - 2 year old and a four- year-old to the pumpkin patch, don't blink! I enjoyed Grand Mommy adventures in what we call the Grand Mommy mobile,(my old Toyota) with my grandsons this year. We ventured everywhere!! Instagram let me catch the moments.
The blessings of my husband of 35 years helping me handle three grandsons and Benjamin at the Dallas Children's Christmas Parade.
My sons working together to restore an old house to its future glory. Move in date,sometime soon. They are friends....what more could a mother desire, then her children to Love the Lord with all their hearts and love each other also?
Those dreams of our family expanding and enjoying the open space we had at our dream home, are gone. Instead we are crowded setting elbow to elbow. Those dreams are replaced with God's faithfulness to us through this journey. Our rent home may not be what I had or what I envisions, but it is full with my family. My heart overflows with joy!!!
I welcome 2016 and God's continued writing of my story.
Those dreams of our family expanding and enjoying the open space we had at our dream home, are gone. Instead we are crowded setting elbow to elbow. Those dreams are replaced with God's faithfulness to us through this journey. Our rent home may not be what I had or what I envisions, but it is full with my family. My heart overflows with joy!!!
I welcome 2016 and God's continued writing of my story.
Hi J! You've had some beautiful moments! I've loved following you here and on IG. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your thoughts here, your perspective on life, the blessings God has given you, and looking for the joy. You have a wonderful family and so many grand-blessing! Have a wonderful Christmas together!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading this post and seeing those precious grandbabies of yours. Wonderful family photo! Blogdom can certainly be a supportive experience and I am glad to read that it has been for you. You have been a bright light in Blogdom as well. Merry, merry Christmas to you and all your family! Many blessings...
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us along on your journey through life. Blogging it a give and take. You gave us so much. I want to thank you for everything, the laughs, the tears, the ups and downs.
ReplyDeleteYour story helped more then you may know.
Here's to another year and another year of blogging!! (wink wink, yes??)
You are so right, Janette, we must be happy where we are. God has us there for a purpose, even though it is sometimes elusive to us. We must trust, as you have done on your journey. I love the photos of your growing family. I miss those times when we would all get together. Now, the family is so scattered, we rarely spend a holiday together. So, yes, treasure all of those moments. They pass so quickly.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to future posts in 2016. Take care, God bless, and Merry Christmas.
Hi Janette, it's been a long while. I loved reading about your many blessings and seeing your growing family. God if faithful, Amen. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI have thoroughly enjoyed the reading of your experiences and struggles and joys and blessings through the years. Your attitude has inspired me many times, and it has been a true privilege to have a glimpse into your life and heart. I have seen your longing for grand children become an overwhelming wonderful reality and your busy hands as you have gone about your days with a happy heart. Soo glad you were able to have a good Christmas celebration with all of your kids and grandkids, and that family picture has captured the moment perfectly. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a New Year FULL of His very best blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you for spreading joy with your blog! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAs I read your closing thoughts, the first thing that came to my mind was this - You may not be living in that dream home with all its space, but God has certainly filled up your heart to overflowing!! What's better than family?!
ReplyDeleteLoved the photos, and love sharing this journey called *life* with you!
Wishing the entire Wright clan a very Merry Christmas, and GOD BLESS!
Lovely post Janette and such a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas sweet friend! My heart jumped when I saw that you had reached out to me! :-) Thank you! <3 I do intend to get back to my blog soon and give thanks for the year that was. Like yours, it's had it's struggles and it's triumphs.. Your mention of living like I Love Lucy made me giggle ~ I think we would be like "Green Acres"! ;-) Married to a poor dirt farmer and running my own business while raising two kids has proven harder than I'd imagined. I am blessed but oh so tired! ;-) This WILL be the year I reorganize and reprioritize so as to find me again. Wishing you peace, JOY and too many blessings to count!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Leslie
May 2016 be a year full of blessing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post and what an inspiring person you are! Looks like to me that you are are a pro of making lemonade out of lemons. Abundant blessings to you and your sweet family!
ReplyDeleteJanette, I trust you and your family of (how many now?!) had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Your quiver-full family picture just makes me smile... I, too, wrote a lot in my head in 2015; sometimes things take awhile to process—and then blogging doesn't happen... or feel right. Perhaps our experience will be different in the year ahead. I pray 2016 is filled with rich blessings as you continue to grow in your faith—and lean on the strong arms of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteJanette, our paths are very similar in that we both experienced losses. And yet as we look at where the Lord has brought us today ...it is well with my soul. I too have been more silent this year in blogging. But I do believe there are times when we simply hit the pause button and return again later. During your pauses, our Lord has filled your life is so many ways. I am smiling as I see your faith remain strong. My faith remains strong too. God has plans for each one of us and He is so faithful. Enjoy your rental with lots of loved ones. That is a gift from the Lord.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Love,
Debbie
Such a year full of blessings. I have been more silent this year as well, sometimes these moments are needed as the Lord continues to do his work. your family is just lovely, praying you will have a very blessed New Year.
ReplyDeletelove keeping up with you on instagram, and i finally stopped here again to read...great photos! love you and bill!
ReplyDelete