2007 - A year of growth and challenges

This last year the Lord allowed a lot of growth into my life that I am thankful for. Through this growth I deeply depended on Him and when things weren't going the way I wanted, I reverted back to depending on my self. My relationship with Him has suffered of late and I am feeling it. My desire to pray and spend time with Him has fallen way short of what I want it to be. It's a roller coaster I ride too often and I am ashamed of it. We made tremendous (and frightening) steps to make our home life better. We are still in the process of finalizing all those steps but several pieces have fallen into place recently that helps us to know we are moving forward in the right direction. MOPS at church continues to do well and single handedly has been the greatest blessing to me this last year. I will be winding down my responsibilities there and praying fervently for the Lord to instruct me as to who He wants to take this job over when I am done. It's an awesome responsibility, but how the Lord has blessed me through this ministry I can never put in to words. It has changed who I am. Our neighborhood bible study covered a lot of terrific topics this year from Believing God by Beth Moore to a study on Esther. I knew the challenge of doing a Beth Moore study was going to be tough and unfortunately there were a few that decided the challenge was too great and left. I wouldn't change my decision to do this study though and I am deeply proud of the girls that have hung on and continue to make our study a priority. I've seen too many bible studies become social events where the study becomes non-existent. I am committed to understanding God's word more in depth and also enriching relationships through these studies. I continue to pray as to what the Lord will have us do in 2008. I am thankful to still be working for the investment company I was working with before I had my boys. They are a blessing to me and an outlet I am deeply grateful for. The Lord allowed new friends into my life this last year and I am so thankful for them. They are good friends that I can pray with and laugh with and cry with and I can only hope I bless them as much as they bless me. My oldest continues to learn and grow and become more independent. It's hard to believe how much he has matured over this last year. He is still my sweet, caring son, but with more confidence in himself than I have ever seen before. I owe most of that to the Lord putting him in the right school that is perfect for him and who God made him to be. I also think the right amount of sports activity has also helped with his confidence without burying us as a family in commitments. It was the perfect amount for him this year and it has shown. My youngest continues to challenge us and at the same time make us laugh. He has adjusted very well to school and for the most part cries very little - only in Sunday School. He still has a horrible diet. It has gotten better this last year but no where near where it needs to be. He also pushes every button I have and challenges me on every decision I make. We continue to hold firm the boundaries we have set in place for him and one day he will learn to stop hitting his head against this brick wall. Until then I accept we will both just be frustrated with each other for now. He loves being at school and is not shy - he is a leader which will help him later on. Him trying to be the leader in our house at 3 years old is what is causing the problem, but I am learning to understand his personality more and loving him through it. My husband has always been a terrific goal setter and this year was no different. He wanted to lose weight, he did. He wanted to change his lifestyle and he is. I admire him greatly and I know the Lord will bless him for putting our family first. This last year for us has been challenging both as individuals and as a couple. We didn't go on as many dates as we planned and fell way short of prayer time together. Changes are being made though. Thankfully all of our family members are still with us and are healthy. We had a few close calls but the Lord answered our prayers. This has definitely been the year of answered prayers. From my little friend Carter being delivered from a brain tumor, our friend Julie as well, to Rick's grandfather recovering from surgery. So many of our friends have been blessed with babies this year, and most of them had been trying for a very long time to add to their family. For them I am thankful to the Lord that He heard their prayers. Our church finished it's new Preschool/Children's wing and it is a true testament to what God can do through His people that make sacrifices in His name. To look back over an entire year and say that all is still as good or better than the last is a blessing. I know not all years are going to be like that. I am thankful for all the Lord allowed to happen this year - good and bad. I pray the decisions we have made this last year were according to His plan and that everything will fall into place in 2008.