2010 has come and gone in a flash! It's unbelievable how quickly time has gone. But, here are some highlights of our past year:
Since graduating last December, I've been on the job hunt. I commiserate with countless other Americans having difficulty finding good employment with benefits. Even with my Masters degree, I've yet to secure employment. But, I know God is in control and He will open the doors when necessary. As a good friend once told me, you don't need a ticket until you get on the train! Besides, I get to be a full-time Mom in the meantime, which is the best job a woman could ask for!!
In March, my best friend Camille married her long-time boyfriend Brandon Slatter. It was an honor to be a part of their special, beautiful day! The big story of the day was that I left the rings in the car!! Thankfully, the photographer delivered the message to Arthur mid-ceremony and he was able to retrieve them quite discreetly before the rings were exchanged. Literally, saved by moments!!
In May we made a trip to New York to celebrate Giana's 1st Birthday with all her extended family. She had a lovely Princess Party and was adorned with all sorts of goodies from family & friends. She had a blast and we had fun spoiling her, too.
The summer was full of lots of trips to the pool and the beach along with fires in the fire pit with friends and grilling. Giana is a natural-born water baby. She loves swimming and soaking up the sun and I think its safe to say she loves being outdoors.
Travel was the theme of the Fall. Arthur's brother Adam has been stationed in Germany for four years and finally returned stateside with his lovely wife and daughter. We were able to visit them at their new home outside Savannah, GA for about a week and celebrate our niece's 2nd birthday! Then after recovering for a week, we flew out to the St. Louis area to spend Thanskgiving with my brother, who is in the Air Force and on orders to go to Korea in the Spring of 2011. He had never met Giana, so it was a nice time. My parents also joined us for the holiday and it was the first time the "Maffia" family was together since 2007.
Throughout the year we've been renovating and updating our late 1970s condo in Virginia Beach. We've replaced the windows and roof and are working on the interior. We freshened up the kitchen and dining area and now we're working on renovating all three bathrooms. It's a lot of work, but we really enjoy making this house a home.
The joy Giana brings has only increased since last Christmas. She's already 19 months old, and well on the journey of toddlerhood. She is very independent and smart and keeps us on our toes! She loves reading, Elmo, dogs and dolls. She is a girly girl and a tough cookie, all at once. She prays before each meal, folding her little hands, which always melts our hearts. We know the Lord has big plans for her BIG personality. And we pray for wisdom daily to direct her strong-willed spirit in a positive way. She is growing so fast, and it's a joy to see her blossom. She is such a little light in our lives!
But, what gives our life meaning and purpose and real, true Light is ministry. Arthur and I love using our talents to serve the Lord in our local body, Beach Fellowship. I've been helping with the Women's Ministry team at Beach Fellowship and am hostessing a Cookie Exchange for the Christmas season. I'm also in the process of birthing a Women's Counseling Team Ministry in collaboration with the pastoral team and a few other women with counseling expertise. I've also been in the Choir since early Spring and have enjoyed the worship ministry and friendships that have birthed from that arena. Arthur is busy serving in the homeless ministry. He picks up the displaced some Sunday mornings to bring them to church for breakfast and the service. He also serves once a month in the day-long outreach for the homeless in our area. Additionally, he disciples some young Christian men, whom we've grown to love and who love some home cookin'. :o) We are excited to see where the Lord leads us in the coming year, as we both have desires and ideas of collaborating our interests and serving together.
Arthur is still finishing his Bachelor's degree but will definitely graduate in May 2011! We are overjoyed that he's able to finish. Arthur's planning to get out of the Army in October 2011 to pursue his Masters of Divinity degree at Regent University, specializing in the Military Chaplaincy track. He hopes after he finished his degree he can re-enter the military as a Chaplain. We both know this is God's will for his life and are praying for the Lord's provision each step of the way.
We pray the Lord draws you closer to Him in 2011. We are so grateful for each and every one of you and love you dearly!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love, Arthur, Jessica & Giana
