A New Year in Shafferland

Yesterday I read this quote by Scotty Smith, and I thought it was a great perspective for a new year - especially for those of us caught up in the joy and wonder of a fresh start! He said, "Whether or not 2020 is going to be a 'happy' new year is irrelevant. What really matters is knowing there won't be one day this year You'll fail to send us new mercies, grant us sufficient grace, and be at work in all things for our good."

Yes!

For us, 2020 did begin in a beautiful way! We went to a New Year's Eve party with our Sunday School class! Our teacher and his wife host the party every year, and they have a beautiful house with so many trees. It's a Christmas happy place, and we thoroughly enjoy going! 

Everyone pitched in with snack foods, and no one should have gone home hungry. I made Skinny Cranberry Bliss Bars from Dashing Dish, and they were quite delicious! (My first time to cook with almond butter, and I liked it.) 

After we ate, they broke out the games, and I did my very best to get out of being on a team. I was eventually roped into play Catch Phrase (to even out the teams), so I ended 2019 in a full sweat. I kept telling them over and over that games make me nervous, but they kept playing. I'm pretty sure when it ended, we'd been playing for two full hours (without drink refills or bathroom breaks). I held my own, but WHEW! There's something intimidating about looking stupid in front of your Sunday School crowd. And I absolutely accomplished looking stupid - with extra flair.

At the end of the night, we gathered around the TV to count down to the new year, toast with grape juice, and have a midnight kiss! 

Yes, we are laughing our way through that kiss, because when I took the ORIGINAL kissing picture, I forgot to flip the phone, and I accidentally got everyone else instead of us. #facepalm.

On our way home, we stopped to check on Phoebe, and she was SO SO SO excited to see us. We hung out with her for a little bit, and when we left (and she realized she wasn't coming with us) she flopped down on the couch with a huge sigh and put her head between her paws. She wouldn't even look at us when we said goodbye. Is it really possible to be shamed by a dog?

Ryan and I both had New Year's Day off work so we could pursue our traditions together! We slept in a bit and enjoyed breakfast. (Hardee's biscuits and gravy for Ryan, since it was a special day treat and yogurt, granola, and blueberries for me because...you saw my New Year's goals yesterday.)

We had a beautiful morning, which included enjoying quiet time with the Lord out on our sun porch. I started my new Psalms study and scribbled dozens of notes just in the first few verses. (How have I never noticed some of these things before?) I'm looking forward to this year of study.

Braeya makes no goals. She just lives for the moment.

As you saw yesterday, I have a whole new fitness plan lined up for the month, and it kicked off with a 5K. We named it the Day One Run, and as you can see, we had a beautiful day to run outside - sunny and in the mid-forties.

The day was pretty. The run was not. I struggled like crazy, but it's been months since I ran a 5K, so I reminded myself of that often, and I did finish it. And when I wasn't praying for air and another minute of life, I was genuinely praising the Lord for such a gorgeous start to the year! And then...recovery.

One of our favorite New Year's Day traditions is to go through our box, where we keep memories throughout the year (ticket stubs, programs, etc.) and reminisce about the fun we had. We read through the previous year's questionnaire and fill out a new one to be read next year! It had been a full year, and we had much to remember!

And so...we welcomed 2020! We are thankful for the glimpses of God's faithfulness we've seen already. We are thankful for fresh starts, traditions, and days spent together!