A new year

As we get near to the end of 2009, I must say that it has been a pretty good year.

I am thankful for my family. Mike and I have had our ups and downs and it has been a year of learning in our marriage. I am praying that 2010 brings over these learning experiences and unifies us as a couple. I think that life brings trials so that we experience areas of growth. If we never have hardships, do we really learn anything otherwise? I am learning everyday how to be a better wife and a better mother. Estella is two and I find myself wondering how I get by day to day without feeling completely exhausted. She is a tornado of energy and it is hard to keep up with her, but I manage to do so. She brings much happiness and joy and I am thankful for this bubbly child that God has blessed me with. My other blessing is Weston. What an amazing baby! God must have known that in order for me to keep up with Stella, I needed a baby that would be laid back and happy in demeanor. He seems to know that just a little raise of an eyebrow and open mouth smile melts my heart, because he does it regularly and at the most needed times.

I am thankful for still having a great job where I feel I make a difference in the daily lives of the people I serve. It is very rewarding, even on the most stressful days. I sometimes think that I need more free time or more opportunities to get out with friends, which I probably do, but I am at a place in life where being a homebody is ok with me. This job has made me grow into an adult and has shown me responsibilities over the lives of others, which prepared me for parenting more than I could have guessed. On the plus side, it has allowed for us to purchase our cabin, travel to new places, meet some amazing people and spend more time together as a family. I have the wonderful opportunity to stay home with my children as I work from home and Mike can choose his hours working on side jobs and at the cabin.

Finally, thanks be to God! How the Lord has shown himself through this year. Maybe it is a sign that I am growing in my faith. What once seemed so important has faded into the black and now in place is a light and warmth of God's love. Please Lord, give me the strength to live my life through you and let your love touch the heart's of those around me, so that they can come to know you too.

Things that I pray for 2010:
1. Closeness in my family. This being between my husband, my in-laws and my children.
2. One really good Christian friend who will be bold in their faith.
3. A church home base for fellowship.
4. Good health for family and friends. My grandma to recover from cancer.
5. Less stress in my job.
6. Self appreciation and self worth
7. For the lives of my family~keep my brother Shawn safe over in Afghanistan. My sister's marriage to be blessed. For my brothers' to find the love of the Lord. To renew the relationship with my sister.
8. To have financial freedom. Money is a heavy burden to everyone and I pray for ways to lessen this hardship.
9. Teaching my children to be obedient, loving and God serving people.

In these things, I give to you.

Love,

Deb