Life with my sister

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear. Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets. In midnights, in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure, a year in the life? Five hundred twenty-five thousand Six hundred minutes. Five hundred twenty-five thousand Journeys to plan. You know that love is a gift from up above. Share love, give love spread love measure your life in love. Abby (lyrics from RENT, Seasons of Love)

I did this last year, here . Abby did this last year, here . It was fun to do, and even more fun to look back on today. Here are our combined answers for 2010: Julie: What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before? J- I don't know. Check back, maybe I'll think of something. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make any this year? J- I looked back to see if I made any resolutions publicly. And I can't find any. I'm sure I resolved to lose weight, read my Bible more and be more patient with my kids. If those were my resolutions, then NO, I did not keep them! Did anyone close to you give birth? J- Sadly, no. Did anyone close to you die? J- No, but I did attend funerals for a few that I was close to the family of. (wow, that was a rough sentence!) What places have you visited? J- Disney World!! It was great! What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? J- My answer last year was patience. So, I will repeat last year's answer ...

Randall has scored a new job! I am so elated for him. The pride beaming in his smile is something a picture couldn't capture, so I haven't even bothered (plus, I have bronchitis and taking a picture of anything right now is effort I can't muster up at this point). He is finally getting to do what he has worked up to for the past decade. We are in awe at how all this came about and we are praising Jesus for all of it! So, why the butter picture? Well, he is working for Land O' Lakes but he will not be making butter. Since this is the only thing most of us know about Land O' Lakes, I thought it was most fitting. I am still trying to figure out if there is an employee discount on butter, but I am doubting it real seriously. P.S. Yes, the post title is the Land O' Lakes slogan. I am already drinking the Kool-Aid, so to speak. Abby

I debated sharing my heart about this, but I just have to. I want all of you (whoever you are…we know we have lots of lurkers and we are thrilled you like us!) to feel my heartbeat at this amazing, scary, fun, life-altering, God-given and stressful time in my life. Tomorrow is my last day of work at ECS. My Mama and I were talking via cellphone during our commutes home this afternoon and she asked me if it would be an emotional day for me and I said "Nah, it shouldn't. I cried all the way home one day last week and got it out of my system". I actually believed those words until I sat down to type my boss, Rex, a good-bye letter. The past year has been an unexpected Gift from God. From the day my Aunt Babs emailed me while I was sitting miserably at the very worst job in THE world to tell me of the job opportunity at ECS, and until this very moment. I have become stronger, confident, sharper in my God-given talents, and rich in friendship because of (as Rex always says), ...

Well, we made a decision to stay put for a little while longer and see what great things God has planned for us. Rand was offered a job in southeast Illinois and we have been praying over this situation for two months. This morning we were able to shut the door on this opportunity and wait for a new door to open. We have learned a lot about ourselves these past few months and how our goals and God’s goals connect. As much as we hated to turn down this new opportunity, we knew it wasn’t inline with God’s will for us right now. So, we hope, we wait and we trust that God will lead us into greener pastures and places that will teach us why we face the trials we face right now. Please continue to pray for us as we seek His will. Rand and I both want to do work we are passionate about and work in which we can find fulfillment. This is our hearts cry right now since we are not currently experiencing that joy. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement lately, it has been much needed and app...