January 2, 2015

Last year, as the calendar turned to January, I was beginning my sabbatical – a time of rest, reflection, and embracing the gifts of life. In addition to resting my body, I was able to provide rest for my soul as I traveled to Germany and Italy. As I look to 2015, I want to re-claim the lessons I (re)learned from my resting and traveling.

• Trust God
• Enjoy moments with good friends
• Stop and drink a cappuccino
• Sometimes God comes to you – let God come to you
• Adventures have their ups and downs
• Time passes, but relationships can endure
• Take time to walk – breathing in the fresh air
• Down time and alone time are essential
• Ministry emerges – let it emerge
• Get the car fixed when you know it’s broken
• Knowing German doesn’t help much in Italy
• Kindness is understood in any language
• Write postcards when you remember someone
• Moments are fleeting, but beautiful – savor each unique moment
• Allow the adventures to transform you
• Life is sometimes meant to be enjoyed on its own terms – take time to let life dictate
• Take a break to remember what you love and then let that remembrance guide you into the future
• Life is good

May these life lessons guide my ministry in 2015 and we learn and grow in our faith together.
Peace,
Allison