2010-A Year to Remember

2010-A year most people are thankful to see come to an end, a year many people found themselves struggling with discouragement, doubt, fear, uncertainty, and a list of other unpleasant emotions. This last year has been a struggle, for us as well as so many, but through the struggle it has been amazing to watch the hand of the Lord move in our family!  This year we have gone months without work, we have seen our refrigerator bare, our tank empty, our car in disrepair, and a leg broken requiring surgery with no health insurance.  So, you may be wondering, where does God come into play?  Well, when our refrigerator was bare we had friends who brought food, took us out to dinner, invited us over for dinner, brought dinner to us, let us shop in their freezers, and took us to the grocery store.  I'm pretty sure there were a few yummy drinks at the coffee shop in there too!  When our tank was empty we had friends fill it, stuff money in pockets, and offer rides.  When our car was in disrepair we had friends offer to fix it, pay for repairs, and then two months later a Tahoe given to us by our grandfather, giving us two vehicles!  When the hospital bills started rolling in, they were almost instantly covered!  When Seth was unable to move, God provided work that could be done, solely on his computer.  And when there wasn't work?  Checks came in the mail, or from our church family.  Dollar bills appeared in our purses and pockets.  Gift cards to grocery stores slipped out of notes.  When we hadn't even a dollar to our name we were blessed with a trip to Hawaii, all expenses paid, which for 10 days allowed us to savor the goodness of the Lord and forget our struggles for a time.

Throughout this year I have watched God's mercy and grace being poured on our family and time and time again I have asked the Lord, "Why are you so good to us?"  The generosity of our friends and family has been remarkable and very humbling.  We are so undeserving.  We have watched as the Lord has carried us through this year and has brought us into a New Year full of promise, hope, and excitement for what He has in store for us.  We serve an awesome God and it is with gratitude in my heart that I say, Thank you, Papa, for 2010.  Thank you for showing us so clearly your goodness, your love, and your care.  Thank you, that in 2010 your promises rang true, "I will never leave you, or forsake you".

Happy New Year Everyone!  May you encounter the Bigness of the Lord this year in an awesome way!!