2007

The years are absolutely flying by. Sometimes I really can't believe that we are already closer to 2010 than 2000! Obviously I've been thinking back over the last year. There have been many sweet milestones. My precious son turned two and is now more of a boy than a baby. I love him more every day! I turned 26, John turned 27 and we celebrated our 5th anniversary. New Year's Eve marked our 9 year anniversary of being together. That seems so long! I was 17 and although I knew I wanted to marry him I certainly had no idea where we would be 9 years later. My nephew and niece were born this year and that's a whole new kind of love I've been able to experience seeing our siblings with their children. I love those two kids and will continue to miss my other nephew until we are all reunited in Heaven! My grandfather went to be with Jesus and I sure missed him through the holidays! I spent a precious few days with one of my best friends after 5 years apart and realized that a close friendship based on Christ is always there and some people are just "kindred spirits" for life. After struggling through the would-be birth day of our miscarried child we conceived again, went through the entire pregnancy and had Kailey this year! It's funny that this time last year I had no idea she would be born and she's already here. It just goes to show that you never know what the Lord has in store. There are new friendships, deepened ones, and some friends that I'm rarely able to see anymore. All in all, a beautiful year. The Lord has become even more real in my life than ever before and I rely on Him daily to carry me through this journey of being a wife and mother. This year I think He has meant the most to me as Patient Father, Healer, Giver of Life, Renewer of Strength, Friend, and Source of Wisdom. I pray that your lives are full of daily relationship with Him. Thank you, Lord for all of the rich blessings in our lives!

I know that 2007 will hold wonderful and unexpected things. A few I am already anticipating are my brother's wedding in April to our new sister, Carli and some changes in our church life as our leadership follows God to a new place. I pray for the grace and strength to handle each challenge, the love and patience to try to model Christ in my relationships with others, and the faith and peace to live each day fully expecting God to show up in the smallest and biggest ways. Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see and follow You this year!