My 2009 Recap

Hard to believe another year has begun today. Many people are excited to be rid of the previous year and hoping for something better in the coming year. I look back on 2009 knowing there were some trying times but also seeing the blessings that it brought.

January: We began the new year with many of our friends in our home. I celebrated yet another birthday. We also said good-bye to our friend who has almost completed one of her two years serving missions.

February: My husband and I celebrated our 11th anniversary and GEM's 2nd birthday.

March: My husband was in S. Korea when we were in a car accident. God provided all our needs! My EMM celebrated her 7th birthday and I enjoyed my first attendance at the Hearts at Home conference. I thouroughly enjoyed the Go Fish Guys in concert there, too!

April: I got to take HEM to the Revive Our Hearts Conference. It was a great bonding time for us and a scary wake up call to the danger facing my children's innocence.

May: I spent a weekend with my friend in Chicago and began preparing for my next homeschooling year at the big sale there. I was blessed to celebrate Mother's Day with my family. HEM got her braces on finally. We also got to see our two oldest daughters perform beautifully in their dance recital.

June: My husband celebrated another birthday. I got to see old friends at a graduation party for someone I had known since she was 2! Sadly on the way to the event I got the news that my grandmother was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. She was given 6 months, maybe more with treatment. (She's still here!! :D)

July: We had our annual 4th of July event at our house and enjoyed the fireworks with friends despite the rain that afternoon! HEM went to horse camp at Hidden Acres for the first time (and it was my first time being there, too). All the hard work for VBS came together and I was blessed to see the fruits of our labors as we saw 7 children come to know the Lord!

August: Our family drove down to Georgia so that the girls and I could spend 6 weeks there having quality time with my grandmother. As a family we enjoyed a day trip to the St. Louis Zoo (a fave of the girls). I also got to attend my 16th year high school reunion.

September: Enjoyed my final weeks in Georgia including a trip to Panama City with the girls, my mom, and step-mom. My mother-in-law was able to fly down too. We got to enjoy the GA Aquarium and experience the Creation Museum on our journey back! We also celebrated HEM's birthday and then had to say good-bye to friends that moved to Maryland.

October: One of the people that introduced Sean and I got married. We were able to be there to celebrate with him and his new wife and see some old friends, too. I spoke for the first time at our women's retreat introducing my testimony to a wonderful group of women.

November: My grandmother celebrated her 84th birthday! We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family in our home.

December: I finally got a physician who has discovered some of my health "abnormalities" and am making progress to get back to normal! We celebrated another Christmas together as a family and also celebrated the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the year ended we were blessed to have friends over to bring in the new year with us.

So what will 2010 bring? I really can't say. It will reap many things I sow and there will be things that I have no control over. I wonder will my grandmother get to enjoy much of 2010 and will we all stay healthy and well? Will I take advantage of the opportunities to share my faith, to grow stronger in my relationship with my Lord? Will I go without things I want for the sake of others and to give in the name of the Lord? What accomplishments will my beautiful girls have? How will HEM do in school next year? How will I do with HEM at school next year? :)

May we all take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead and not dwell on the negative things, but be blessed with all the positive things that God gives us this year! Happy New Year to all my family and friends!