A NEW YEAR!!

Well it is a "New Year" in so many ways. I am so thankful for a new year, for God's Grace. He brings newness to my life everyday. As I reflect back on 2009 I certainly can't complain. We continue to serve the Lord at our wonderful little church. I continue to love my husband. I enjoy hearing him teach our Sunday School class and his sermons from the pulpit. I really love his style of teaching. I think sometimes I take for granite just how smart he is. I LOVE being a mommy and all the joys and trials these new years bring. Six and eight. WOW! Can't believe my babies are six and eight. This year they will turn seven and nine. WOW!!! Anna-Marie's vision "discovery" has been truly a mixed blessing. While I am So thankful that we have discovered her perception problem and thankful we have a great doctor helping her. I still question and I still worry. Is this enough? Is this all, could there be any more problems? Did we miss any major developmental things? AHH sometimes it makes me sick as I ponder all my worries concerning her. Jesus gently reminds me of how much he is in control and how important she is to Him. What comfort this brings, still I must shamefully admit, I continue to worry. I am related to the Israelites after all. Anna-Marie continues to march to her own beat. She is an indescribable joy to Michael and I. Her wit is something very few people could ever match.

Nathan while sweet as pumpkin pie will incredibly impress me one moment and scare me to death the next. He taught himself how to multiply. Really impressive stuff. I'm his teacher and I haven't taught him this. And all this time I thought he needed me. He just up and decided to figure it out. Which tells me he is capable of understanding more then he lets on sometimes. He tends to be a follower and of course I get concerned. (would he follow someone off of a cliff?!?) Surely not. He does love Jesus. I catch him reading his Bible. Can not express how that blesses my heart. He sets up "work stations" just like his daddy. Books, commentaries, Bibles, highlighters; "studying' Just like his Dad. Boy do Michael and I fret over how much our children want to be like us.

When Anna-Marie is sassy and pouty I have to admit, that's ME
When Nathan is strong willed and stubborn Michael must admit that's ME

Weekly trips to Marietta has not been fun. I try to see the flip side. I mean really the HOV lane is from the Lord. Anna-Marie and I zip right through 75 thanks to the HOV lane. And our weekly Chick-fil-a is certainly nothing to complain about.

My desire to know Christ more intimately and to be more sensitive to the Spirit is always there. Have I always obeyed and listened? Most positively not. However, I truly desire to know Him more, to experience Him in a deeper level. I have to ask myself where my love is? As I reflect back on 2009 and how gracious and loving Jesus is to me, I'm convicted. I want to Love Him more this year than ever before. I want to impact someone else's life for the Kingdom. I love Jesus and I desire that everyone around me know that. Most importantly my family. Those that have to deal with me day in and day out. This year this is my hope:

May I be a light for them that reflects Jesus. May I be a love for them that resembles the embrace of Christ. May I be a source of strength and peace that draws them closer to the ultimate source of Life ~ Jesus

I have no doubts it's going to be a great year. Jesus is Lord. My hubby is a Godly man. Both of my children love the Lord. Jesus is in control, no matter what obstacles might come our way, we will choose to see these as opportunities. Opportunities to grow, to shine for Jesus, or to be molded more into His Image. Lottie Moon once said that if Jesus allowed trials to come into our lives then we must need them. She went so far as to basically say "bring them on". Knowing hardships push us closer to Christ. Lottie is a rare breed and if I could muster up half her faith; well I can't even imagine that, but I do praise the Lord that I get to read about and know about these awesome pioneers of the faith. I'm challenged by her and by Michael. It's a wonderful thing to say that you are challenged to grow closer to the Lord because of the awesome example that is set for you by your husband. I do realize how very blessed I am in this. "My cup runneth over". In my lifetime I've been able to know and be loved by two of the Godliest men. My Grandfather James Ray and then my hubby Michael. When my burdens sometimes seem to heavy to bear I remind myself how good God has been to me.

Hope that everyone reminds themselves how good God has been to them.