My Sunrise

Each year, our church does a Lenten devotional booklet for members to read each day in preparation for Easter. It's a short little thought booklet and somehow I get roped into writing one every year. Although a little early on my deadline, I hope you enjoy:

2011 Devotional

This world can sometimes knock the breath out of you. We all grow up and get so wrapped up in the big business deal or birthday parties or ourselves that we forget to really stop and look around at all that God has provided for us. Instead, we become complainers and keep taking for granted so many gifts we have on a daily basis. Just think for a second with me: what are some of your daily gifts?

For me, that gift is the sunrise. A sunrise makes me stop for those few little seconds each day and realize that God created everything. He has created all of us: the birds, the trees, the clouds, and has brought life into each. I can remember a time growing up when I thought everything in this world was as marvelous as that sunrise. A time when I didn’t fear being judged or being perceived badly by other people. Instead, I focused on what was good in the world and how I could help the world become a better place. I don’t know about you, but I want and need that positive thinking back in my life.

My hope this Lenten season is that you take a moment and find your sunrise. Make a point to stop each day and thank God for that daily gift you have been given. I know for me, through good times and bad, that sunrise gives me reassurance that God knows exactly what I need and what I need to be doing.

Much love,

Carla

Christmas 2010 - For those of you that did not recieve!

I forgot! Some friends of ours have moved and didn't receive their annual Andersonville letter. The world stops I know, but here is the copy. Sorry for the delay. Merry 2010 Christmas! :)

12/8/2010

Well Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Our hope this season is that you and yours are doing well and enjoying this season without too much hassle. I can’t help but get a little giddy lately thinking about Sasha’s face opening presents and really embracing Christmas this year! Life in Andersonville has definitely changed. My oldest brother used to always say “you will be there one day.” Well….we are here and boy is it funny. Dave and I now wake up early, sing various kid songs, plan before leaving the house, do spot checks on our clothes for “spit up” marks, and have officially mastered the dirty diaper. Life in the fast lane, right? We have officially arrived and ironically enough, we love it!

January marked a big change for our family. We ended last year talking about the purchase of a new house. After much packing and a great moving crew, we left our little townhouse and the memories of our first home. I have to laugh because if I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times from Dave and my dad: “Carla, you have too much ______ (I’ll let you fill in the blank)! All in all though, we love our new home and have enjoyed being able to have our friends and family come and enjoy time together. The neighborhood is great, kids live all around us, and our neighbors have been nothing but excellent. It’s a true blessing getting to make this new house our home.

Now on to Miss Sasha. She is still the apple of our eye and has every one of the grandparents wrapped. Her smile just reminds us of how blessed we are to be parents. She is now 15 months old and into EVERYTHING! Besides her usual baby doll or blanket, she enjoys reading and LOVES music. Anytime there is music on, she dances around clapping and laughing. Not that I’m biased or anything, but the girl has some rhythm. I’ll keep you posted on where this takes her! In October, we celebrated Sasha’s first birthday. I’ve always said I would not be one of “those parents” that has elaborate birthdays, so when I looked up and finally counted the 60 adults and 30 kids in our backyard, I had to laugh at myself and joy the bandwagon. It was perfect though. Sasha had such a great time and we’ve realized anything with the Anderson/Sepulvado family is never going to be small.

Dave and I are doing well. Dave is still a computer programmer with Morris and Dickson. They now have over 100 pharmacies using their software and continue to roll new ones out each week. I’m still in awe of his talents and really thankful that his company is so wonderful. He’s a great dad and a wonderful husband! As for me….I’m (really it’s “we”) are still building and diversifying our medical staffing business. Our team is excellent and I am very thankful to work with such great people. Our big news for this coming year is moving into our new office building. We are set to close this week and move in this weekend! Maybe we can have a baby daycare in there somewhere?! More on this topic for next year’s letter.

Until next year, we leave you with a wish for a wonderful holiday season. Our hope is that you find time to enjoy the real reason we celebrate Christmas – the birth of our Savior! And as our family always says, we wish you and yours Health, Wealth, and Time to Enjoy It!

Much love,

Dave and Carla Anderson