I can't think of a better way to begin the new year than with a perspective check.

For us, it came in the form of this sermon by Francis Chan.

The next time you have 43 minutes of time (hopefully today), I highly recommend listening to this sermon.

Click here to watch the sermon.*

I don't want to give it too much of a preface because it very much speaks for itself. This sermon encapsulates exactly what I think the Christian life should be about. Many of us have simply, sadly, lost sight of it.

After hearing this sermon, Shawn and I are praying about what this means for us specifically. We are passionate about adoption and hope to adopt in the future, but now really isn't the time. We are praying God will show us where to simplify, how to give sacrificially, and how to trust that we cannot "outgive" Him.

I pray it stirs something in your heart as well.

God bless you, friends, on the first day of this new year!

*If you have trouble uploading the sermon, you can go to www.cornerstonesimi.com, then click on "Media" then "Listen to messages" then the sermon is entitled "Living to Display the Gospel" and was given on 3/15/09.

Top ten for 2010.

As 2010 begins tomorrow - so hard to believe! - I thought I'd write down a few of my goals for the new year.
Here are my top ten for 2010:

1. Read the Bible all the way through.
This is normally a goal every year, but I usually end up reading everything except Numbers or one of the minor prophets, then I get bored and go back to familiar books without ever finishing. I really want to read the Bible in its entirety this year, Numbers and all!

2. Keep up with birthdays.
As a married woman and part of my own little family now, I feel a lot more responsible to remember birthdays of friends and families and I think I've done a pretty terrible job this past year (I'm so sorry!). I always seem to find out it was someone's birthday the day after when I see the stream of Facebook comments on their wall. There's an adorable perpetual calendar that I'm planning to buy that I think would make remembering much easier.

3. Celebrate the seasons.
I want to do more seasonal activities this year, like ice skating in the winter, having a picnic in the spring, and swimming in the summer. I really want to savor each season, especially now that they're much more distinct and tolerable in Tennessee than they were in Chicago!

4. Plan meals.
I haven't really ever done this, but I think it would help our budget and my stress level when it comes to meals. Once we get in a groove with our schedule, I hope to take an hour or so a week to plan a meal and shopping list. Anyone have any tips on this?

5. Continue learning about natural living.
There is so much more to explore with green cleaning and other natural solutions. I'll be sure to keep the blog updated with what I learn. I think first on the list for the new year will be making my own lip balm.

6. Finish my nursing school pre-requisites.
There are quite a few of them, but I am determined to begin full-time nursing school by either August or the following January, depending on when I can have the pre-requisites wrapped up.

7. Expand BrighterDay.
I have loved making jewelry on Etsy for a while now, but just recently have wanted to pursue it even more. It is such a therapeutic thing for me, and for every sale I make, International Justice Mission benefits as well!

8. Read one book a month.
I've found that if I don't keep up this kind of pace with reading, I feel frustratingly inarticulate. Reading is such good brain exercise, and not just blog or newspaper reading. :) If anyone has book suggestions for this year, please let me know!

9. Visit a beach.
We don't live close to one, but Shawn and I have been craving walking on a beach for a while now. We'll accomplish this one, I'm sure.

10. Master gluten-free bread.
This one will take quite a bit of trial and error, but I'd love to figure out a gluten-free yeast bread that is light and airy. I crave it most of the time, but have to pass when I know how sick it will make me. I'm looking forward to this one!

What are your goals for this upcoming year?

364 days as a wife.

"We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will be your witness'."

- Shall We Dance

Tomorrow is our first anniversary.

Last year at about this time, I was laying in my bed for more than an hour trying to fall asleep. My heart beat with anticipation for the following day when I would officially begin my new life as Shawn William Newby's wife.

The day I had longed for for years was truly perfect. More than anything, it was abundantly worshipful. I don't know if I've ever experienced the fullness of worship as I did that night. It was such a fitting way to set the tone for our marriage. And yet when we said goodbye to our family and friends and drove off into our first year of marriage, we had absolutely no idea what it would hold.

You, my love, have been my rock through it all. You have cared for me through intense physical struggles this year. You've cooked dinners when I was too sick to stand up and calmed me down during panic attacks. You've treated me like a princess, carrying me to bed each night and making my tea just the way I like it. Not only that, but you've tended to my emotional and spiritual needs as well, knowing when I need time alone with the Lord and encouraging me to seek it. You have been a patient friend to me and listened to my heart, even if what comes out isn't pretty. You've shown me grace like I've never deserved.

You have exhibited an unmoving faith, trusting the Lord to provide for us each and every day. I am so thankful for a husband who knows he's not in charge and isn't afraid to ask the Lord for help.

I love that you love the Word and can't go a day without it. I love that you pray with me and for me, just as you promised you would. Your passion for Jesus is contagious, Shawn. You are a bright light in this very dark world.

So 364 days into this marriage, I am deeper in love with you than I've ever been. I remember praying for you in high school and college, thinking I already knew who you were (and oh, I was so wrong). I would write you letters and pray that you were waiting for me as I was waiting for you. Little did I know how God was preparing us in intricately detailed ways to spend life with each other. He even had you listening to my mom's singing in Germany long before I knew you! That is no coincidence. He created each of us to be insatiably creative, passionately driven, and adventurous. And yet He balanced us perfectly so we make an amazing team. You are the leader God knew I needed.

As I write this, I can see you sleeping on the other side of the room. No words that I write could ever do you justice or accurately describe my love for you. You have loved me so well this year and sacrificed so much on my behalf. I'm the luckiest girl to get to walk with you through this adventurous life that we have just begun.

You are the one I waited for, and I am so thankful I did. I'm praying for at least another 50 anniversaries to celebrate with you.

I love you,
Whit

Merry Christmas from us!

Fun with the Whitworths!

Our sweet friends, Michael and Christy, came to visit us for a long weekend.

We had the best time.

It was wet and cold weather for most of the time they were here, but it didn't stop us from enjoying Franklin and lots of tea.

We visited this place...

And Michael was very happy about it.

Caramel apple cider... the BEST.

Here's the info: Franklin's best coffee shop, hands down.

Best buddies. Precious.

Perfect day for Starbucks on Mainstreet.

And a cupcake at Naticakes downtown.

There's Michael's beautiful sister, Christy, with her tuxedo cupcake.

Yum.

The boys posed awkwardly with a nativity.

A nativity without the Christ child... it made me feel just a bit sacrilegious. We just resolved the missing baby Jesus by saying, "He is risen indeed!" :)

Oh and we made scones!

Can't forget the scones.

Tender, gluten-free oatmeal scones.

Am I making you hungry?

The boys wrote a song.

It isn't quite finished yet, but once it hits radio I'll be sure to let everyone know. :)

Can't forget this one...

We feasted at J. Alexander's.

Mountains of potatoes,

juicy steak,

and half a chicken!

We had the best weekend!

Thank you guys for making the trek from Atlanta.

As always, you blessed us so much with your presence.

We love you both and can't wait to see you again soon!