Blog — T.J. MOUSETIS

This is probably the first easter in my life that I didn't go to church. Brooke and I decided last night that instead of going to church this morning we would just spend sometime together. I usually wake up before Brooke so this morning instead of getting up and feeding the cats and starting my day, I just laid in bed and looked out the sliver of window that the blinds were not covering and started thinking of the love that God has for me and so many others not in church on this easter sunday. I wonder what his thoughts are about us while we lay in bed. I babysit my niece from time to time and I have this very vivid memory of her sleeping. She was laying in her pack in play off centered, uncovered, and all sweaty. I am only her uncle but I remember thinking that the love I have for this sweating baby is so extreme and she doesn't even really know me. Her mind is undeveloped, she can barely talk or walk but I love her. She cries over stupid things like food and naps and falling down but I love her. She can't spell or write or read or move gracefully or sing but I love her.

While I was thinking of this seemingly insignificant memory of my niece I felt God speak these things to my heart.

You are small, weak and sinful but I love you.

You are easily frustrated, small-minded and petty but I love you.

You are not smart, slow to learn and overly confident but I love you.

You barely know me, do stupid things and worry too much but I love you.

Your heart is often cold and full of hate but I love you.

You don't listen to me all the time but I love you.

I know everything about you and I love you.

You are mine because I love you.

So whether you spent easter morning in church or watching youtube videos in bed with your wife may those words speak to you and may you know that even through all your faults and insecurities there is a God and he is saying, "I love you."

2010 was the best year of my life. It was my first full year of self-employment, which meant that almost everyday this year I spent sitting 4 feet away from Brooke, my wonderful wife. We traveled to Las Vegas, Houston, Mexico, the beach, the mountains in Virginia and a ton of other places. We made huge investments into our businesses. We really started to settle into our house. We convinced our best friend to move to Lancaster. We became aunt and uncle for a second time. We took a lot of photos, sold a lot of shirts and spent hours laughing at our cats. Friends and family are always asking Brooke and I how things are going and I almost always answer the same way by saying, "Living the Dream." I say it partially seriously and partially joking because it's a kind of funny statement. As I take a retrospective look at the past year of my life I realize how silly that answer is because I could have never dreamed this life up. If you would have asked me even one year ago when I was getting ready to quit my job if I would have thought that this would be my life I probably would have believed 20% of it. I am amazed at the blessings that we've received this year. I am in awe of the wondrous love of God to fulfill our needs and bless us exceedingly more than we deserve. 2010 was amazing and I am grateful for all who contributed in ways both big and small. I am thankful for my wife who has pushed me this past year to dig deeper, think more and work harder to display the change that Christ has made in our life. I am thankful for my friend Jeff who has showed me how to love. I am thankful for Brooke's parents who have been a guide on how to love each other in the midst of stress and being self-employed. I am thankful for my parents who have believed in me through out this year in a very tangible way. Both Brooke's parents and mine are hard workers and we are so blessed to have been able to see that our entire lives and now apply it.

If every year can be like 2010 I would like to live till I am 200 years old. I am excited to get going on 2011. My hope is that it will be a year filled with the love of God and everything will fall as He sees fit.