If you had told me a year ago what we would face in 2013, I might not have believed you. Here are a few highlights and lowlights, in no particular order.
The barn. It stills needs the inside finished off, but we got it up and closed in.
The wind storm. We still have a few trees along the road, but three of the four ancient maples that shaded our house are gone.
Family loss. We lost a dear brother in law to cancer, and have struggled with change in some family relationships.
A flood. A spring filled with rain caused us to plant some crops late, and not plant others at all.
The end of homeschooling. We finally graduated the last of our children, which left me wondering what I want to be when I grow up.
A fire. We lost a skid steer (a.k.a. bobcat), but we didn't lose a barn, or any animals.
A new camera. I'm not at all good with it, treating it like it's a slightly heavier point and shoot. Our daughter is into photography, but she has not been able to help me understand and retain what aperture and depth of field are and what all those darn buttons actually do.
One thing I have learned is to look at my surroundings with a different eye, as though it were a camera lens. It's the same in my life. I've had a year of learning where to focus. If I focus on the bad (or even the good "what used to be"), I can easily have only dark, grey, colorless pictures in my mind. I have to look for the bits of light, and focus on them.
Thank you for journeying along with me at the facebook page and this blog. May this new year be filled with light. And may we focus on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and whatever is admirable." (from Philippians 4:8)
The barn. It stills needs the inside finished off, but we got it up and closed in.
The wind storm. We still have a few trees along the road, but three of the four ancient maples that shaded our house are gone.
Family loss. We lost a dear brother in law to cancer, and have struggled with change in some family relationships.
A flood. A spring filled with rain caused us to plant some crops late, and not plant others at all.
The end of homeschooling. We finally graduated the last of our children, which left me wondering what I want to be when I grow up.
A fire. We lost a skid steer (a.k.a. bobcat), but we didn't lose a barn, or any animals.
A new camera. I'm not at all good with it, treating it like it's a slightly heavier point and shoot. Our daughter is into photography, but she has not been able to help me understand and retain what aperture and depth of field are and what all those darn buttons actually do.
One thing I have learned is to look at my surroundings with a different eye, as though it were a camera lens. It's the same in my life. I've had a year of learning where to focus. If I focus on the bad (or even the good "what used to be"), I can easily have only dark, grey, colorless pictures in my mind. I have to look for the bits of light, and focus on them.
Thank you for journeying along with me at the facebook page and this blog. May this new year be filled with light. And may we focus on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and whatever is admirable." (from Philippians 4:8)
I hope you have a blessed, peaceful 2014! I've enjoyed seeing glimpses of your life on your blog. Keep taking photos, you have a gift. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could take a photography class at a local community college to learn how to use that camera. You could go from teacher to student.
ReplyDeleteAmazing what a year it has been. At times we like to think we would know the future but then I am afraid that we wouldn't sign up for the challenges and the blessings that the Lord has for us.
Your gentle faithfulness has shown throughout the year.
Blessings to you and your family.