Twenty-Ten

Our family is so excited to usher in a new year and experience what God has in store for us in 2010! We were able to enjoy incredible blessings in 2009, for which we are so very grateful!! We had a nephew finish and win his fight against leukemia; we had a sister and her family move to Indonesia and start their journey of language learning and church planting with New Tribes; we had a sister return to a relationship with her heavenly Father - all so very exciting!!!

"Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" Job 2:10

However, as much as we believe that God is good at all times, we also know that He allows difficulties to enter into our lives to help grow and change us. 2009 was a year that we will also remember for the turbulent times we shared as a family.

Though once again I had to endure a debilitating disease and the frustration that accompanied, it was a year when I got to witness true, selfless service and unconditional love the way God intended. My husband fulfilled his promise to love me for better and for worse, in sickness and in health as he cared for me, the home, our kids. My children grew in compassion and service and had the opportunity to rejoice when they saw their prayers answered for mommy to be able to walk and play again.

2009 was also the year that we experienced true heartache and loss as we said good bye to our sweet Adrian, the foster son and brother we adored for 18 full months. With great excitement, we had taken him in as a newborn; with both triumph and struggle we cared for his needs; and with great pain and tears, we returned him to his home. We hurt, grieved, cried, and prayed. We were surrounded with friends and family who supported us while we cared for him, loved him alongside us and who also felt the sting of his departure. We couldn't have done it without them! How grateful we are to God for allowing us this time with this precious little boy, and for His great gifts of supportive family and friends!!

Because of God's great love and sacrifice on our behalf, we hope that no matter what comes our way this year we will be able to stand firm, trust Him and hold onto the hope that He offers. If it be a year of abundant blessing, may we not fail in being grateful to the One to whom it is due. If it be a year of trials, tribulation and suffering, may we not fail in trusting in God's faithfulness and in clinging wholeheartedly to Him.