Happy 2010. It is hard to believe we are starting a new year and a new decade in the (relatively) new millennium. SO MUCH has happened the past year I don't think I can really fully grasp and communicate all that 2009 has meant. But as I give pause to what has happened and what is coming, one thing comes to mind - we have been blessed as a family in 2009.
We have been blessed as a family. Marti and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary this past year. We still enjoy hanging out with one another. We love seeing our kids grow up. Speaking of the kids they are doing well in school, they are maturing, they love one another, they love us, and they love the Lord. They generally put others first. This is a real blessing.
Obviously our family has also been blessed with Kate in 2009. All the long years of waiting, paperwork, and preparation has finally born fruit. Kate joined us in September. She is a sweet little thing. She is also growing, maturing, catching up, and fitting in. She is also a wonderful reminder of how God brings us into His family. That is a blessing.
Work has also been a blessing. I really love what I am doing. The hours are sometimes long, but when a lot of my colleagues are frustrated and wringing their hands about the future of healthcare in America, I have been able to go to work day after day and enjoy the opportunity to take care of patients. It has also been a tremendous blessing to work so close to home (instead of driving one hour to work one way, I am only driving 25 minutes one way). That is another blessing. Oh, and I think I can safely say that Marti also sees her part-time job as Children's Ministry Director at our church as a blessing. It has been an opportunity for her to use her gifts in our local church.
Our church has also been a blessing. Grace Covenant PCA continues to grow. Week after week the preaching is solid. The fellowship is growing. Our home groups are coming closer together. I look forward to seeing what God will do in the coming year.
There are so many other blessings from 2009; the malpractice settlement was a relief, vacations were refreshing, birthdays were a joy (we celebrated milestone birthdays like turning 13, 16, and 40), and visiting with family was great. Even disappointments and losses in 2009 were a blessing; we saw God's hand at work in our lives as we dealt with the frustrations, tears, and discouragements.
And so, we look forward to 2010. We anticipate there will be more challenges, disappointments, joys, and surprises. We know that in all of this God will be constant. He will provide direction, comfort, reproof, and ultimately blessing. We pray that no matter your circumstances in 2009 that you will see some of the blessings. We are pray that in 2010 you will see God more active in your life.
What a great pic of the family! How many tries did it take? I have been following your blog since we all returned in Oct. Way to stay on top of things! I have been very negligent with ours. It sounds like everyone is settling in really well. Kate is so adorable! Lilah is doing really well. We had a few rough patches in the beginning, but I think she is beginning to trust that we are here for good,like it or not! We just put some updated pics on our blog http://quinnslittlesis.blogspot.com I wish you all the best in the New Year!
Posted by: Erin Becker | January 07, 2010 at 12:30 AM