Hello, 2010

2009 was a challenging year for most people, our family included. But at the start of 2010, I'm hopeful, especially when I think about where we were a year ago.

A year ago we were moving into the temporary rental house, closing the door on our Kaysville home for good and leaving behind Maija and our life in Utah. It was a challenging, difficult, dark time. We were all low and depressed. I don't know if I'll ever forget sitting in our living room in Kaysville and the four of us crying because we were leaving. The future was unknown and bleak.

Fast forward one year later and things are looking up. The house is a huge part of that - we never ever thought that we would be in a home or neighborhood this nice. We were truly blessed to find and buy this home. My work has improved as well. I understand what I'm doing a little better, and know better how to navigate MS. It's a long-road, but one that I do not regret taking.

As one year ends, and another begins, it makes me think about time. Such a funny thing, time is. A year ago I honestly believed the world for our family was ending. I had no hope. But one year later, things have settled and are better. God has been at work in our lives, and truly orchaestrated this year for us. He plucked us out of our Utah life, but as He did so we prayed that we would find happiness here. I believe He has made that possible for us.

The timing seemed horrible then, but in fact was as perfect as it could have been. There's no way that I would have been hired on at MS now. Since I joined thousands of MSofties have been laid off, recruiting and hiring is down, etc. Plus, they are paying less to new hires, have become more selective about who they hire, and are paying fewer relo benefits. As an outsider, I don't believe I would have had another chance at MS had that job not turned up.

Also, between the time I was hired and now housing here has dropped significantly, which has been a boon for us. Our friends who moved here a year or two before us bought much smaller homes, with fewer niceties, for a lot more money. Had we moved earlier than we did, we would have been spanked. But the timing really worked out for us. We even made money on our Kaysville house - something that is itself a miracle.

It's a good lesson, and one that I think I'm learning slowly. This idea of patience, trusting God's timeframe, trying to have a big picture view.

There are still macro worries - the economy, terrorism, wars, plagues - but fortunately, my family is not personally impacted on a daily basis by these (knock on wood). We hear about them, worry for those involved, and pray for those innocents...but that is not our day to day life. Thankfully.

For me, that's the point. There's much to be thankful for, and I hope that this year I can be less worried about the future and more thankful for today.