This new year is new for me in different ways than usual. Of course, it’s a brand new year and I’m doing the typical reflection of 2009 and looking forward to 2010. But this year there’s more.

Yesterday was my last day in the corporate work force after 20 years. Today…the first day of 2010…is the first day of stepping into my calling as a full time pastor. And there are mixed “emotions”…

It’s exciting.

It’s a little intimidating.

It’s new.

It’s different.

2010 is already shaping up to be like no other year. And I plan on chronicling my “new life”. There will be challenges, failures, excitement, victory, and who knows what else—and I want to share it all with you. I’m on the ride with God and we’re trusting Him for everything else. I know without a shadow of doubt that we are doing exactly what God wants us to do. And that’s exactly where you want to be.

So as this year unfolds…take the journey with me. You might learn something too…and I know you’ll teach me a thing or 12.

2010 here we come…

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!
Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man
must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified,
and that he would rise again on the third day.”
Luke 24:5-7, NLT

No…no that mood.  I typically take awhile to get into the mood for Christmas…into the Christmas spirit. I blame the retailers since they keep pushing the date back further and further (soon they will start before Halloween). And Christmas always seems to get here too fast…it sneaks up on me and I’m not ready.

But this year is different! I am turning over a new leaf. We put our tree up on the last day of November and I am already in full Christmas music mode. No bah-humbug for me this year. I am in the mood already. And I am ready for all of it: the lights, the carols, the food, the family, the parties, the gifts…and of course, the real reason for the season…celebrating the best gift of all!!

So here ya go…

 We got a little jump on the Christmas decorations this year. This is the first time I can remember having the tree up before December rolled around (yes, I know we beat the clock by less than one day). This is one of those traditions I love (although sometimes it doesn’t feel that way in the middle of it). Here are some pics from the festive event…

 
Kyle Hangs His First Ornament (for the year)

 
Logan Hanging His First Ornament

 
Lindsay’s Turn

 
Sensing a Theme Here?

 
Lindsay’s Turn to Add the Angel Topper

 
Kyle, Lindsay, Logan
Good they look like their mom huh?

 
The Baumgartners 2008

 
Our Natural Pose

I still can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner.
Feliz Navidad!

I got this in an email this week; I don’t care who you are…this is funny!

Today we venture off to Como, CO for a long weekend in the mountains with friends and family (the Memorial trip we couldn’t make thanks to the snow). I hope you have a great one as well…back next week with photos of the fun.