Happy New Year!

     We had a great night tonight celebrating the New Year with good friends, good food, games and laughter! It was wonderful to hear the sounds of our children playing and laughing together as well! Midnight took us outside for the kids to use little confetti poppers and to enjoy the neighbor's fireworks and a few paper lanterns as well! I am a sucker for paper lanterns. I've never had one myself, but they are beautiful to see. :) Then the kids stayed outside for about 40 minutes, playing tag and getting cold. They had a lot of fun playing outside, in the dark, in the middle of the night!
     We thoroughly enjoyed 2011 and can't wait to see what God has in store for us in 2012. I pray that we will be ever watchful for ways that we can serve Him and that we would listen carefully for His voice and His direction in our lives. A constant prayer for me as our family prepares to experience some big changes! Tonight, I was able to sit with 2 of my best friends and see pictures of the Odle's trip to Ghana and hear more about their 2 weeks there. (We have wanted to get together with them since they got home, but we have all been busy with Christmas preparations and celebrations!) It was wonderful to see pictures that help us to better prepare for our new home! Physically and emotionally. Ghana is such a wonderful country. God is really placing us in a great place for our families. We are so anxious to be there, serving Him where He has called us, but for now will focus on serving Him here, where we are.
     The kids and I talked about New Year's Resolutions for a little bit this afternoon, and will talk about them more tomorrow. I've never really focused on them too much in the past, but this year, I really want to make some changes in my life and my family's. Mostly we all want to focus on growing closer to God, and will decide on some specific ways to make sure that we do just that in 2012.
     I am praying that God will bless each of you in this new year! Happy New Year!