Happy New Year from the Shag Sisters

Hap-py New Year! Oh my, darlings! Here we are, trucking up into a new year! Like most years, when the dusty calenders are removed from the walls and replaced by new ones, you begin the reminisce over things that have gone on in your life. All the good, fun times, as well as the days that you'd just as well care to forget. May each and everyday this coming year, let us not soon forget to ask our Heavenly Father to "Tune our hearts to sing His praise".

Like each year, much happens in one's life. My most memorable happenings are:
Going over seas on a mission trip for the very first time. (See more about that HERE.) That particular account, though only Summer months ago, seems as if it happened in a whirlwind. The time spent in the beautiful Lithuanian valleys, makes me wonder if I will ever have the chance to experience such splendor again. I often wonder what the people we met there are doing that moment in time, how their families are, and how the Camp is progressing. By the grace of our Father, I pray to have such a chance once again to impact lives in such a way.

Finding a church family. I've written of our church ordeals quite a few times over the last few months, so I won't bother repeating stories that have already been told. But leaving this list of sorts without mentioning the love that I (and our family) have for the people that LORD uses to "load us down daily with benefits" would not sit easy on my mind.

Having friends whom I've not yet met. The feelings are still there dearies. I doubt I could ever stress enough how very much and truly do love y'all. I've said it more than once, but just for the sake... I never would have dreamed a year or two ago how many dear people I have met through the crazy thing called the internet. Sure one must be cautious before naming one their bosom friend or significant other whom they've never once really met. It takes time, prayer, and trust. It took the peace Lord gives to be able to venture out into something so unknown to me. I am so glad I did. I'm not quite sure what I've done without y'all till now! :)

Working for All-in-One cleaning service. My cleaning job (I started shortly after the mission trip in June of this year) has brought on new challenges of young adulthood that I have more or less taken on with a "pull up my boot straps" kind of way. When you work with people (even if only two or sometimes three, days a week) lots of topics of beliefs spring forth. Having to stand on my own in some regards has been a healthy challenge. I am wonderfully blessed by my employers who strive to honor the Lord. They are patient with me, even when I don't understand or am confused. They encourage me. They know how to laugh. 

 So friends! What's my list of resolutions this year? Well, instead of a list of things to aim for I'm rather relaying on these words to help me through each task I may lay my hand to. Words that I know might bring strength to each of you as well. These song lyrics have been ever present on my mind for the past months. I knew that I needed to make them my motto, aka resolution this year.

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, oh God,
And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence oh Lord,
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me, the joy of Thy Salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me.

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As far as blogging goals go, we're excited for our second year to begin! We're not going to make any vast finish lines. We're going to strive to make our blog a better place to be encouraged what that entails, we're not quite sure. But we know the One who does. Of course we all have ideas behind the scenes, but saying so in detail might get your hopes up just to be let down. We'd much rather let come what may. We're excited for our little yet strong response to our new series, Thrifted Treasures, are super happy about Photo-a-Day having a comeback (shhh...next week!), and would love to reach a nice even 100 official followers by our next birthday! Some would scoff at our little endeavors, but we are completely happy and overwhelmed with our little blog, how far she has come in just over a year with these two green-horns owning her. :)

So! Accept our thanks as we take our hats off to you and say, Thank You! Thanks for being you! The extra comment, the encouragement to keep on keeping on, the hugs we would share had we been neighbors.

Happy twenty fifteen dearest! Cheers!!

What things do you look back with most fondness of?

What new things are you looking forward to this coming new year?

How do you make up your resolutions list?

-Cassie

-for the Shag girls

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