I overslept...and loved it.

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the dessert." - Isaiah 43:19 (ASV)

Let me preface this post by saying that I'm currently timing myself. I figure that if posting takes me less time, I'll be encouraged to do it more often. It's 9:51 PM. Let's see if I can finish this post by 10:15...

Yesterday, officially marked my last day of work in 2024. No doubt, I'm blessed to have a job that I actually enjoy going to...but I still need breaks! Gratefully, for all 7 years that I've worked at my job, I've been able to take an extended vacation around the holidays - typically at least 10 days off!

Who would've thought I would still get Christmas breaks as an adult?! But God!

It is the perfect time to, not only spend extra time with loved ones, but truly reset before the beginning of the new year. 2024 has been an AMAZING year..but it's certainly kept me busier than I've ever been. I've been counting down to this 12 days of reprieve!

(10:00 p.m.)

What better way to kick off the holiday break than to have some fun with friends?! Yesterday, we played games, shared laughs, and exchanged gifts. My friends brought along their baby Geremiah - the cuuuutest! He was the life of the party as he was passed from Auntie to Auntie all night!

As the night winded down, I couldn't help but to think about how far we'd come as a friend group. I've known each of these friends for at least 15 years (I known Alicia for 23!). One day we're in high school living our best senior lives to now being full-grown adults with marriages, careers, homes, and children! Sheesh. Time flies! But it's beautiful to see how God's story is unfolding for each of us...

(10:09 p.m.)

By the time I got back to the house last night, it was after midnight. My husband took an overnight shift at work, so I had the bed all to myself and could leave the TV on all night (hubby can't sleep with it on!). I turned on Elf and fell asleep on it for probably the 100th time...

I woke up off and on - one time looking for my husband and the second when my husband came in. By the time I'd officially woke up, it was after 11am...and that was ok with me.

Between work, serving in church, and personal goings on, it has become very rare for me to have a Saturday with absolutely nothing on the calendar. It was an amazing feeling to be able to sleep in and I made sure to soak it all in...

(Officially 10:15 p.m. - Welp. I tried!)

My husband brought home Chick-fi-la biscuits. So, I heated them up and ate them in bed, while watching a few hours of YouTube videos...

*Exhales*

At this point, I wasn't sure what exactly the day was going to look like. Even though I had nothing formally on the agenda, I still wanted to make the most of the day (whatever that meant for me!). I decided that I had to get out and at least get some sun. Between the past few gloomy days and shorter daylight, I needed it.

So, I finally got myself together around 3pm and I went to Adams Farm Park. It was very chilly - about 40 degrees - so it wasn't very many people out walking the trails. That made my time out there very peaceful though - just me and God. I'd been waiting for a time like this where I could just hear my own thoughts and let God in on what I've been feeling. Being out in nature and observing His creation makes me feel closer to Him...

Snapped a couple of selfies before I left!

As I stood by the lake, I noticed all of the birds flying around - ducks, geese, even 2 regal-looking herons. Each flying with so much grace around the lake. As I felt more present in the moment, I felt so much peace. God had brought me through every moment that I've ever gone through and had brought me to that beautiful place at that moment - thank you, Jesus!!

After that, I figured I'd get some grocery shopping done. Fun fact: I love shopping for groceries. It combines a few of my favorite things - food, cooking, budgeting, and shopping!

I decided to take a walk on the wild side and go in without a list - dangerous! There were sooo many tempting deals all around the store. I ended up walking out with items to make a good breakfast in the morning (I get to go to church from home tomorrow!) and items to make meatloaf, red potatoes, and seasoned green beans - yummm!!

(Also, left out with some dipping chocolate for strawberries that I wasn't expecting to buy - but it was only 79 cents!)

Afterwards, I decided to go to Dollar Tree and balled out for this year's Christmas Day games (stay tuned for more details on this year's Saran Wrap ball!).

So, yeah. My first day of Christmas break is off to a refreshing start so far. I thank God for blessing me with this moment to truly breathe. Can't wait for all the memories to be made and to also reflect on this year and the year to come. With so much time on my hands, I have no excuse not to blog the whole way through!

(Completed at 10:50 p.m. - we'll try again next time! lol)