A Year with God

Everything I've read lately about the new year ahead have mentioned about forgiveness, changes, letting go of the past, learning, moving forward, thankfulness, pruning, new doors opening, rest, refresh, realize not alone, trust, and nothing is impossible.

All that sounds like a full year that would have joys and bumps but in reality it sounds like the perfect description of what a year with God would be.  I want a new year with God.  I'm ready for the lessons, ups and downs, joys and blessings.

Here are a few little things I thought were good to read and take in so I thought I'd share.

It’s been said that there is the life you learn from and then the life you live.  Many of us can relate to this concept.  Take whatever lessons you can probably glean from your past- especially from your sorrows, our losses, and your failures.  Scoop up this backpack of wisdom so you can peek into it now and then for its profound lessons.  Finally you can begin hiking toward your new life and new mountaintops.

-SANDI PATTY (Falling Forward)

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.-Psalm 51:10 MSG

That is how Jesus accepts us.  AS IS.  Broken, cracked, tattered, and in all of our ordinariness, he receives us with a no-return policy.  He never gives up on us, and he will never give us back.  He looks at me with my freckles, my large pores, and my even larger sins, and says, “You are wonderfully and beautifully made.”
-NATALIE GRANT (The Real Me) 

He made us accepted in the Beloved.-Ephesians 1:6

I will meditate about your glory, splendor, majesty, and miracles. —Psalm 145:5 


“Courage is fear that has said its prayer.” That resonates within me. I do many things today not because I feel brave, but because I have prayed and God has answered and met me with his strength in my utter weakness.
I don’t understand all the ways of the Lord, but then I’m not supposed to. Faith carries us through life’s unknowns and God’s mysteries. But one day, one absolutely glorious day, I will “get it,” and more importantly I’ll see Jesus face to face. That irrepressible hope keeps me breathing deeply, walking  faithfully, and singing triumphantly.
—Patsy Clairmont  

I don't know about you but I think it was all well said above that I'm excited and ready for the new year, a new Year with God!

Hindsight Reflections

With the new year around the corner I can't help but think about this past year.  Thinking about joys, blessings, and bumps in the road.  That is when I really started to think about things way back in the past and started to reflect on the lessons taken from hindsight.

When looking back into a situation I can see the detour sign that I missed and wished I had taken the other one instead of the route I picked.  But looking back I can see the hand of God no matter of the choice I did make.   I won't go into detail here of all the detours I made because its the moment now and the future forward to rejoice in.  I learned from the detours and I was never alone.  I was being cared for by my Lord and Savior.  I was being comforted in knowing that he would never place to much on my plate for me to handle.  I was being lead by the greatest most powerful, all knowing, all loving leader.  Leading me where I needed to accomplish the most right (Godly) result in the end.

Despite anything I learned in hindsight the greatest comfort was knowing God was there.  I have experienced the pain and discomfort that learning in hindsight can bring but through the pain I was comforted and found peace.  Once again sending full credit and praise upward to the heavens above.

Thank you Lord for all the trials, situations, bumps, detours, and circumstances that I traveled through this past year.   

They were hidden blessings discovered in hindsight.

 

Shall not He who lead me safely through the footsteps of this day lead with equal understanding all along my future way? (Adams)

God's guidance in the past gives courage for the future. (Our Daily Bread)

SIMPLE things with an OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE

Last night I was at a celebration potluck with a group of people.  As I was sitting there looking around the room and reflecting on dinner conversation I began to think about my perspective on things around me.  I don't know about you but I have never had the opportunity to visit a foreign country.  Last night there was a family from Iran and this is there first time in the US.  There was also a college student from Sweden.

At the dinner table I was at, I was listening to the student from Sweden talk about a few things he has missed.  He misses most the cheese and bread from his home.  He mentioned something about the bread here in the US not being as thick or heavy and filling as he is use to enjoying.  I wonder about the cheeses.  I like cheese and wonder what the cheese is like from his home.

Later we formed a circle around the room to get ready to do a gift exchange.  We sang some Christmas songs first.  Then listened to the instructions for the gift exchange.  A young man (also a student, he's from Iran but has been living in Flagstaff for a while) had a Christmas decorated napkin folded in a square in his hand. He commented to the hostess about i being too pretty to just throw away.  She smiled and laughed and told him that there were plenty more where that one came from.

I observed the family across from me that was from Iran visiting the US for the very first time. (the young man's uncle) The young man's dad translated to the family as the host read the Christmas Story out loud.  I wondered what they could be thinking.  I wondered as they looked around them and heard the sounds they heard as they went around town and took in all they could what their perspective would be and what thoughts would they take back with them when they returned home.

Each of those moments had me thinking about how simple things can be and how much joy can come out of any little thing such as a pretty napkin, the type of cheese or bread we eat.  I think it would such a growing and humbling experience to travel to another country and miss what I was used to having around me and experience new things.  By doing so, I think that would give a new appreciation and joy to what I have been blessed with and do not look at as blessings at times.  I think at times we all get so used to what we have, all the little things from napkins, to the food we eat that we don't find the simple things joyful anymore.

I think its appropriate right now with the season of Christmas around us to ask God to help give us new eyes to look upon the things we are surrounded with.  To give us new ears to hear the sounds we get frustrated or tuned into all the time as a normal thing.  To refresh our senses so that we can enjoy, and appreciate the simple things with an outside perspective.

Dear God please refresh my senses so that I can appreciate and find joy again in all that you have blessed me with in my life.

2010 Family Christmas Letter

The Spirit of Love

The Holy Spirit is the one who knows the song in our hearts and sings it back to us when we have forgotten the words.

THE TREVATHAN/CRENSHAW FAMILY CHRISTMAS LETTER

Dear Family & Friends,

We want to share some Christmas Spirit with you by first saying “Merry Christmas”! 

We have been doing well.  The kids have grown and changed so much this past year.  We have two teenagers in the house now. (which offers many opportunities for growth on all parties involved)   The blending of the Trevathan’s and Crenshaw’s has been an eventful adventure this year but in the end the love is there with Christ in the center.  We have enjoyed many blessings throughout the year.  I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we really enjoyed our trip to Malibu California.  Some of us had never seen the ocean before other than in pictures.   

We have enjoyed many cherishable moments throughout the year. We hope that you can also look back and reflect on all the special moments that you all were blessed with also this past year.  As we look forward to the New Year we take the lessons learned and the happy moments as we enter into a New Year with Christ beside us.

Isaiah 9:6
"For a child is born to us...
and His name shall be called...
the Prince of Peace."

With love,

Micah, Katrina, Dillon, Karlee, Kyle & Sara

May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love at Christmas and always.

Baby Cakes, Sara Bear & Muffin

2004-Albuquerque NM Balloon Festival

2005-Chaparral NM at Pa's house.  I must say that is a different kind of watermelon.

2006-Durango CO

Sandia Park NM

Fort Davis TX

2007-Albuquerque NM at Uncle Jason's house with his dog Neeko

2008-Fort Davis TX

2009-Flagstaff AZ 1st Christmas in Arizona

 2010

Today Wed, December 8, 2010 

Sara Nicole Crenshaw is turning 8 years old.  

When she was first born I called her my baby cakes.  In the nursery they called her Sara Bear because when she would move around in her sleep they thought she sounded like a little bear making noises as she stretched.  Over the years she has graduated to the name of Muffin.  I think at this point she will remain my muffin for years to come.  She is sweet and silly so I think muffin it is!  (although she does have a love for honey buns and donuts)

  She is also my little sunshine. My sunny little girl whose smiles shines so brightly.  I love her hugs and kisses.  She knows just how to make me laugh.

I love you muffin!  Happy 8th birthday!

Reflections of Christmas

I've been thinking about the Spirit of Christmas.  What Christmas means and how I celebrate it.  I can't help but have warm fuzzy feelings when I look back into the past and think of my childhood.  I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas' past.  I know that back then Christ wasn't in my life like he is now but I had a loving family.


I know that Christ hasn't really been in the picture either when my kids were small but once again we had love and family.


Christmas for me now is different.  Christ is at the center of it.  Having Christ at the center makes such a difference. With Christ there is more togetherness in my life, more love and more family and a wonderful relationship with maker of my heart, thank you Lord.

Christmas time: heart of compassion, fellowship, cherishing the moments, being surrounded by God's love, enjoying the gifts of grace, joy, hope, giving, faith, and love.

Jesus is the reason for the season.  Father thank you for blessing us with your son.  You gave up your only son for our sins.  What a gift you have given....thank you Father.


The very heart of Christmas is Emanuel, God with us-with me-and with you. 


I'm wishing everyone a very joyous and blessed Christmas season.