Alden Ellis

As 2008 comes to a close, I wanted to take the time to celebrate some of the awesome things that happened during the year.  I am going to have a set of 2 lists. One will be some awesome stuff that happened for Deanna & I in our personal life and the other list is a of stuff that happened in ministry that I was able to be a part of/help plan….I will be the first to say that is almost impossible to separate the two.  (If you feel that you can…get out of  ministry!)

Anyway here are some of the things that were awesome for us during 2008 in chronological order:

• Hawaii – May 10-17, 2008: This was the trip Deanna and I were planning for a LONG time.  This trip was AMAZING and we got to experience so many awesome things!  I wrote about my “Best of Hawaii” here on my blog.  Also here are some pics, some more pics, and some more pics.
• 5 Year Anniversary – June 14, 2008: Anniversaries are always special, but when you hit a milestone it just always seems a little sweeter.
• Weekend at Palmetto Bluff – June 20-22, 2008: We went to Bluffton, SC for me to officiate a wedding for a phenomenal couple.  This weekend was out of this world, the accommodations were eloquent, the resort was designed to create calmness and provide for your needs.  If you ever have a couple hundred dollars lying around…go here, stay there, be relaxed, and rejuvanted!!  You will be grateful!! Go check out the virutal tour of the room. Here are the pictures from the wedding of Tim and Heather…it was absolutely beautiful!!
• Pregnancy – October 6, 2008: I will never forget the suspense that morning.  I was so anxious…Deanna and I had been planning that this would be the year that we would get pregnant, but sometimes plans don’t go as planned, but this one worked out!  We decided to keep it a secret from everyone except from our families until we went to the doctor…it was so difficult not telling people, but it was well worth it at the same time!!
• Ultrasound – November 24, 2008: Here is the video of the ultrasound.  My little baby was an active little thing, but I about went through the roof when I saw him/her on the screen.  This was a GREAT day for Deanna and I!!  I still thinking we are floating around after this wonderful experience!!
• First Heartbeat – December 29, 2008: This was CRAZY!!!  I wrote about it here.  There is nothing like hearing your first child’s heartbeat for the first time!  WOW!!  I am still in amazement and I am looking forward to being able see my baby in June of 2009!!

Well, that is some of the things that we have been able to enjoy and experience during 2008!!  How about you?