I always enjoy spending the first few weeks of a new year reflecting back on the old. I read through the my journals and scroll through the pictures I took, reminding myself of what I’ve learned and experienced over those 365 days. I note the highlights and the lowlights, what was the same and what was different, what was new and what was old—and this is what I found for 2019:
There were wonderful old things—
Old friends to catch up with…
The faithful, breathtaking repetition of seasons…
Old favorite vacation spots from our childhoods, revisited with our own children…
Time-worn traditions and celebrations honored once again…
And not-so-exciting old things—
The same old piles of dirty dishes every day…
Bigger quantities of the same old cycle of laundry: wash, dry, fold, put away, repeat…
Vehicles aging, old parts needing replaced…
Old habits struggling to be broken…
But in the midst of all the old, the good and the bad, His mercies were new. Fresh, marvelous and breathtaking every day, breathing life and purpose and wonder into the sameness and drudgery of life.
There were also wonderful new things—
New faces to become friends with…
New recipes tried, new books read…
New ways I was challenged and uplifted spiritually…
A new baby to carry, birth and nurture…
And not so fun new things—
New goodbyes to be said this side of heaven…
New-to-me levels of sickness and health issues, and need for help as I went through them…
New things to forgive and be forgiven for.
But in the midst of all this, the good and the bad, His mercies were old. Not old and worn out, but old and timeless and sure. Unchanging, firm, and the same, an untold comfort in the midst of change and uncertainty.
And now I’m three weeks into another new year,
days adding to days without stopping to wait while I reflect,
already colored by the un-calculated quantities of baby spit up on my shirt, giant snow storms and unexpected events.
And I’m here to say that I’m already discovering that the same old story from last year is on repeat in the new: His mercies are new every morning and great is His faithfulness. May you discover the same, in abundance, in the upcoming year!
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:21-24)
P.S. Featured here are a few odd pictures that I never got around to using from 2019! Also, I know I’ve been absent from this space for awhile, but I’ve had good reason in the form of one tiny adorable little man who arrived to change the landscape of our family forever in October. To those of you who have inquired with such kind interest as to the future state of this blog: Thank you for your patience as I’ve taken a long break from here to focus fully on adjusting to life as a family of six. Lord willing, I do hope to get back to more writing and photography as this new season permits! Meanwhile, you’ll find me taking baby portraits and writing in his baby book about first smiles and that time he slept eight hours….
Rejoicing Hills 
Dear Beth, We are down in Arizona. Sorry for you guys having such a hard winter. Our weather here hasn’t been the best either, but of course nothing like yours. Thank you for your new post, and the beautiful pictures, whether old or new, it does not matter, they are still new to me. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had some health issues. But congratulations on your new addition to your family! I did notice that I wasn’t getting posts, but I just figured that it was all of your busyness with all of your additions to your family. I’ll be patient, and just don’t you worry. I understand that your family needs you. Give them all hugs from me, and “hi” to Pastor. I think of you guys often.
Love you Guys, Bev (Tami’s Mom) ________________