Wow!! Where did the year go. Hard to believe that today is the start of another year. So much has changed in our lives in the last year. Dean and I have grown to love where we live and the church family we have become a part of is WONDERFUL!! Our faith has definitely grown in the past year. God has truly blessed us by bringing us to Oregon, WI. We have met so many new people and have become apart of a group of people who have a heart for God. It is is exciting to look back and see the changes that have taken place. My biggest blessing was to see my husband get baptized. I can honestly say I never thought that would happen. The changes I have seen in Dean in the last year are wonderful. He has grown so much in his faith and love for God.
That is not to say there haven't been struggles and wondering why things are happening, but in retrospect things worked out the way God wanted them to and we both grew in the process. It is hard to move on each year leaving loved ones behind. This year will mark 3 years (in July) that my sister passed away. My heart aches for her during the holidays. We had always talked about going to see the Globe Trotters on New Year's Eve, but never quite got around to it. One of these days I would like to do that. I miss my family very much, but knowing that they are at home with the Lord makes it easier to deal with. What a family reunion I will have when I get to heaven (not that I am wanting that to happen anytime soon).
It has also been a year of growth for me and a time of reconnecting with a dear friend and making many new ones. Dean and I participated in an Inter-Varsity program where we were able to meet three exchange students. We met three wonderful young ladies that we have grown to love. Dean and I have had the ability to spend some quality time with the girls, having them in our home and sharing outings with them. Zhu is from China and is going for her Masters in Electrical Engineering. Meng-Shin is from Taiwan and is pursuing Psychology. Luz is from Mexico and studying Computer Sciences. Luz just went back home to her family in Mexico and is missed already. I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet these strong and courageous young women. FaceBook will help us to keep in contact with them so that we will not loose touch because of distance.
This is the time of year that people tend to make resolutions. I have always hated that because it always seems to set you up to fail. This year I just want to become a better person to grow in my faith. What that will entail I am not sure, but I am sure the journey will be exciting. Hopefully not too exciting. I am getting older and too much excitement probably isn't good for me. I am also sure there will be trials and moments when I will sit and wonder WHY. But that is okay. God doesn't mind if we ask why as long as we are willing to grow and become the person he wants us to be. I found a bible reading plan that will take me 2 years to complete. I tried doing a yearly plan, but quickly became overwhelmed.
Well I want to close this post with a short prayer. I hope you don't mind. If you do just skip to the last sentence I won't take offense. Lord thank you so much for the things you have done for Dean and I this past year. It was rough at times, but we came through in your arms. You have been so faithful to us. I wish I could say the same, but I know that sometimes my faith has not been what is should have. I feel like I have fallen short sometimes, but You love me in spite of myself. There has been so much heartache in the world this past year. Shootings, violence, and war. I pray that some measure of peace will be forth coming this year. Please help me to seek you more and to strive after the things that you would have me to do. Thank you in advance for the things you will bring into our lives this coming year, both the good things and the struggles. I love you with all my heart and am grateful for another year to serve you. Amen
Well Happy New Year everyone. Not sure what this year will bring, but thanks for tagging along on my journey. God Bless!!!
