What a Year 2019 Has Been

We're friends, right..

So, can I be honest with you?

It's hard to describe, but 2019 has been an off year for me.  It was way too busy and with too many projects that required too much time on the road, loss of a most treasured loved one, and now it's gone.  As I reached the end of it and began looking back, I came to find much of it is a blur.  

  

It's been a thrilling year having our new grandson with us, he is so precious, and I couldn't love him more!  The interior cabin renovation is finally done, yay!  But it's been an exceptionally busy year and I found myself absolutely exhausted at the end of it.  Then there was Thanksgiving which was late, and Christmas which was early and three birthdays to celebrate, and New Year's Day...and I was hosting it all.  My mind and body were too full of tired and exhaustion to be motivated or creative or to enjoy the process of getting all these things pulled together...I was stuck.

Are you ever like that?

The holidays and parties came and went, and the Christmas tree and decor were finally put away.

The house looked bare and I wasn't feeling creative and lacked motivation...so the mantels, counters, tables...they were empty.  For weeks.

With shelves full of decor, most of which I've had for a good while now, I wasn't going to buy more.  I'm loving all the winter themed decor so many friends have sprinkled about their mantels and tabletops but this year it's time to declutter and organize, live simpler and on purpose, and with the right priorities getting the best of me...not what is left of me.  Balance.  Something I struggle to find in doing the above well while also doing things I enjoy...like blogging and decorating and gardening and spending time with the friends I can see and touch.  My hope is to look back on 2020 and be able to say that I've done this year well and have a peace and reassurance in my heart that the Lord is pleased with how I've spent the year He has given me.

Basically...I hope this year isn't as exhausting and I can focus more on HIM and my FAMILY and my friends, rather than projects and deadlines.

The mantel finally got a bit of attention.

Old corbels found at a thrift shop flank the mirror.  Flowery dish from my late Aunt Janie to the left, brass candlesticks and a blue and white pitcher filled with hydrangea from the garden with a dog figurine being the last touch.

The temperatures are warm for January here in North Carolina and rainy.

The kind of days that you wish were spent in pj's, binging on movies and eating lots of chips and chocolate.  (Nope, I haven't done that!)

Once or twice the sun peeked through the clouds and boldly entered the room.  I love sunlight streaming into a room.  There is something magical about it...like God is saying, "I see you.  I am here.  Find your rest in me.  I love you."

Candles always warm my heart and are almost always burning in my home.  I don't usually burn the pillars unless company is coming...but today I thought, why not!

And then, finally, the sun came out and stayed!

Sunlight or rain.

Rested or exhausted.

Motivated or need a boost, a little help, a little extra love.

Even though, I always know...He is the answer and will always see me through!  He will see you through too!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28-30

My prayer for me and you for 2020...

May this be the year of balance and all thanks be given to the One who gives all things abundantly.

"He who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think..."

Ephesians 3:20

Blessings,

Cindy