Reflections on New Years Eve

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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It is Thursday morning December 31st, 2015 and I am sitting at my desk sipping on some Earl Gray tea while reflecting back upon the past year. One benefit of taking as many pictures as I do and keeping them well organized is that with a few clicks of a mouse I can easily look back over the past year and see the things that were deemed photo worthy. I also keep a written calendar/planer on my desk that helps me keep track of the less photo worthy events. Between these records I can look back over the year and be reminded of just how many lives Tammy & I have been blessed to be a part of this year.

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Holidays with friends & family

Birthdays with friends & family

Saturday morning coffee & conversation with a close friend

Day trips to 30A with Tammy

Sunday morning involvement at First City Church

Trips to the beach with family

Weekends Away with Tammy

Mid-week Small Groups with First City Church

Weddings for friends and friends of family

Trips to Disney World with family

Butterflies, lots of butterflies, with Tammy

Gardening with Tammy

Medical/health issues and challenges for friends & family

Saturday morning coffee with my parents

Bike rides after work with Tammy

Rec sports (t-ball and soccer) with the nieces and nephews

Breakfast dinner with family

Piano recitals by the nieces & nephews

Fall fishing trips with my father-in-law & brothers

Sunday brunch with friends & family

Staff & Shepherd involvement with First City Church with Tammy

Work trips to Ft Worth, Orlando & Crystal City with coworkers

Home Improvements both minor and major with Tammy

Graduations, both high school and grad school friends & family

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As I look back on the list above, the photos I have taken, and the monthly calendar I have kept a few distinctive themes emerge. My wife, my family, my friends, my church family, my God.

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I am blessed beyond measure!

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And while God was not specifically mentioned in any of the items above His presence is in each of them and I count it a blessing to have been able to share life with so many during 2015.

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Grace & Peace to All