Greetings!! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and hopefully, I won't need to say "Happy Valentine's" by the time this is posted and ya'll receive your cards via snail mail! ;) Ushering n the first two weeks of 2009 we've seen brightness and beauty in little instances like a huge 3 minute snowflake storm, Charley with a new cute bandana, an overnite of babysitting a 4 month old and mom/daughter bonding time, and the appearance of future possibilities! With thanksgiving, we look forward to the other 50 weeks 2009 has to offer, but for the moment, we'd like to say farewell to '08.
The year of 2008 brought a mix of emotions. We are borrowing Letterman's Top Ten idea with a twist...here are the top five events and the five 'bottom of the barrel' events of 2008 for the Kanodes.
Top Five Events
5) My husband surprising me when I turned 30! He took me for "us" time to celebrate in Chapel Hill, NC! If you remember the 2007 letter, we mentioned the Franklin Hotel; it happened to be the very same spot where we spent my 30th bday! I LOVE 30! It was a sweet few days with Scott and Carolina Blue. What else could you ask for, right?!
4) We found an affordable fence for our backyard! We live in a nice little neighborhood but our street is rather busy. A fence is a huge blessing, especially in the winter at 5:40 AM when mommy (me) has to let the dog out! :) No icy weather and leashes for me; just a nice backdoor into a spacious FENCED yard!
3) I ran my first half-marathon! Memories of the day are a bit foggy; however, I recall how upset my stomach was in the moments before the start, the hug from Elizabeth, forgetting to hit my watch start button until about 100 yards into the run, the heat, the wind, mom's facial expression as I passed on mile 10, talking to myself, BI tackling me at the finish, Scott's hug at the end and his willingness to walk slowly beside me afterwards! I loved it.
2) Scott was offered and accepted a job with SponsorHounds in April! God was good and reminded us to look to Him in times of need, frustration and hardship. We learned to hold hands with one another in the good and the bad!
1) Elizabeth and Jensen tied the knot September 27 at Berry Hill Plantation! We were there and able to share in the day's festivities and every event before and after the wedding! A high note was our visit to Charleston over July 4th weekend! We loved the time with Liz, Jens, & Josh! :)
Our bottom of the barrel
5) Overall, our sports teams were not at the height of their careers...we had to live through Carolina getting pummelled in the final four by -ick!- Kansas. Then the BoSox had an early end to their season when they lost to TampaBay. Finally, the Hokies football play was less than ideal. We limped through them ALMOST losing to Duke, but survived with an Orange Bowl win!
4) In March, high winds took out our brand new black chain-link fence by using the HUGE roots of a 50 foot pine to raise the middle of the fence high into the air. Consequently, the idea of a fence keeping Charley in the backyard didn't work for awhile! And, aren't we glad we serve the God who created the pine AND the wind!?
3) We have had a year where normal weekends at home were not a regular routine. This has taught us how much we love just being together, the two of us (sorry Charley! ahem!) the three of us! It was negative in that we didn't have a lot of down time but we learned from the time apart. In addition, the time away did allow us to spend more time with family and close friends, so we feel blessed that a new year is upon us, that we have such a great system of close knit friends, and that we see time together is to be cherished!
2) Health issues have continued to plague Scott's parents. Please keep them in your prayers!
1) Scott quit his job. After he quit we had a rough time dealing with his ex-boss. The entire situation was upsetting for me due to the man's lack of integrity. We were at a loss with how awful people can be; but once again, God used the situation for His glory and reminded us of the many parts of our great Lord's character and the hope we have solely in Him! A special thanks to those who were so amazing through that entire ordeal. We couldn't have made it without your kind words, advice, and most importantly, your faithful prayers.
By the way, finding 5 negatives was not easy. Looking back, there were some dark days when the clouds moved in and the heavens seemed like they were throwing down, but our God is gracious. In the darkness, the lessons we needed to learn were illuminated. I've heard the same quotation over and over again this year, "How can we expect to have times of plenty(in my word, sunshine) without the times of need (thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes)? In both, our God remains." This year brought that quotation to the forefront of our minds. Our hope is that He would find us faithful whatever the situation.
We end with one final note. Now that 2008 is over and 2009 is underway we are looking with anticipation to what God chooses to bring into our life. In the midst of uncertain economic times we are more aware than ever, having jobs is a huge blessing. A lesson we have learned is the "NOT" times tend to awake your senses and sensibilities to the "HAVE" times. Also, we realize our lives will be touched and tested in this next year, which is all a part of following God's will. Overall, we are thankful for the knowledge that we are part of God's plan and glorifying Him through our lives is at the top of our list.
Our hope, in the words of Job, is as follows:
Job 23:10-14
But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
My foot has held fast to His steps;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.
But he is unchangeable, and who can turn Him back?
What He desires, that He does.
For He will complete what He appoints for me,
and many such things are in His mind.
We love ya'll! Maybe we'll get the chance to see you this year; if not, may God's faithfulness keep you close, through touching and testing times.
Scott, Krista, & Charley
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