Well, time how it marches on!This past year brought our family happiness, grief, blessings, challenges, ups, downs and the stuff of which every family experiences in the course of 365 days.
My oldest son became engaged this summer to a precious young lady who loves the Lord and that has brought much joy and excitement into all of our lives. He has a lot of experience to gain during this engagement period, but while all of life smells like roses to him, as parents, we are trying hard to continue homeschooling him in the area of personal responsibility, planning and finance…the things which make us boring adults.
Then when all seemed well with the world, my mother was faced with having to undergo a serious spinal surgery. After listing her home for sale and moving her to Washington State for the surgery and to be near family, we did not expect to lose her before she ever fully recovered from the surgery.
We brought her remains back home to New Mexico for one of the most beautiful, unique, endearing memorial services I’ve ever been blessed to attend. The Lord is gracious to us in our heartache and used the time of remembrance of my mom to bless us with some very special time with our extended families. What a gracious Savior we serve!
We are learning to thank Jesus in the trials and challenges as he is creating in us the character we need to be all He wants us to be for His glory and to be his ambassadors in this world.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4
Happy New Year to you Sue Ann! Wow...so many changes, some of which were so unexpected. May this new year be blessed for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteGod has been so gracious through all this. This has been a very challenging year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family are blessed this coming year.