2008.......

It is amazing to me that in 13 hours and 45 mins it is going to be 2009. Another year has passed and what lies ahead is a brand new year. Like a fresh covering of snow unmarred by footprints and snow angels, this new year is pure.

As I look back over 2008 it is easy to focus on the challenges, as there were many for my family. However, the blessings were so much greater. I said goodbye to one of my children, but peace was restored to our family. I lost half of my income, but God has provided in such a way that the loss hasn't really been felt. My son went through some trauma and I couldn't be with him, but God was with him and everything turned out well.

I feel as though I have learned so much this past year. Mainly, I have learned to totally depend on God again. I feel as though God has brought me back to the basics. Learning to completely depend on Him and just being grateful for being His child. I'm in a good place.

2009 will bring it's share of heartache, I'm sure. However, I am also sure that the blessings will far outweigh the heartache. As His child I am secure in the fact that nothing is wasted in God's economy. There are lessons to be learned, memories to be banked, laughter to spare, and blessings to share. I'm excited to see what this year has to offer. I'm eager to see where God leads me and prepared to walk down whatever path He sets in front of me. I am making no resolutions as I believe those are meant to be broken. However, I am making a committment to the Lord.

Thank you Lord for a turbulent year. Although I would have never asked to go through some of things my family has been through, I wouldn't change it for the world. You are such an awesome God and I praise you for the storms!

Starring Role

He was born over 2000 years ago.

It's easy to become detached to the story.

But that story involves us.

We were there.

In His heart.

We played a role then.

We play a role now.

Which character are you?

Are you the inn keeper who has no room?

Are you a shepherd still waiting for a sign from God?

Are you a religious leader who knows all about God, but has yet to truly know God?

Are you a woman or man who God has asked to do the impossible?

Did you say yes or are you still asking Him.....why me?

Light Of The World

He was born in a manger.

Humble beginnings for the King of Kings.

A Savior that was born to die.

His infant eyes had already beheld the Father. His tiny ears had already heard an angels symphony. His chubby, little hands would grow and restore sight to the blind. The newborn Baby that cried in the night would speak truth to the masses, rebuke leaders of the religious law, and cry out to the Father in His final moments.


I admit, sheepishly, that this story has become so familiar to me that I often don't think about it during the year. That is one of the reason's I love Christmas so much. It is always a reminder of the night Love came down and became flesh.


I am in awe of the humble beginnings of our Messiah. Of all the ways God could have chosen to send Jesus..................


Instead He chose a young woman who risked everything to be obedient to Him. A young man who risked everything when he chose to stay with that young woman. He sent His angels to shepherds in a field. It was all about humility. From Jesus' birth to His death. Even the sign He sent to declare the birth of the Messiah was humble.

A star. Shining bright in the night sky. No trumpets. No fanfare. No parting of the seas. Just a bright star announcing a single statement........


The Light of the World is here.

"There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." John 1:6-9

Breaking Bread. Breaking Bones.

This Thanksgiving I found myself particularly grateful. It has been a rough year for our family, but God has shown us His faithfulness and Love in more ways than I can even begin to tell. I awoke on Thanksgiving Day with a heart full of love and awe for my God.

Around noon I tried calling my son, Joshua, in California to wish him Happy Thanksgiving. I didn't get an answer, so I tried his dad's phone. No answer there either. I figured they had already began their day, so I decided to try them later. About 5 mins later my phone rang. It was Eddie, the kids' dad. He informed me that they were in the process of taking my son to emergency via the ambulance.

Eddie and his friends play football every Thanksgiving. It's their tradition. Josh wanted to be on the opposite team so he could 'take down' his dad. Can't say I blame him. There are days I would like to do that, too. :) Apparently, Josh was running a play and got tackled. Josh's cleat got stuck in the mud, his leg was stuck and when he was hit.....his leg snapped. Eddie knew his leg was broke, but wasn't sure exactly where. I could hear the ambulance and chaos in the background and my heart sank. The miles between us never felt so huge. I hung up and did the only thing I could do.......pray.

Eddie called me from the hospital several times to get info about allergies to medications and other miscellaneous info. All I wanted to do was talk to my son and find out how bad the break was. Eddie finally called with the news. It wasn't good. Josh broke his femur bone and it was not repairable. He would go in for surgery at 7:30am the next morning and the doctors would insert a titanium rod into his leg. My poor boy. I have never wanted to jump in my car and drive to California more than I did at that moment. Unfortunately, I knew it was not feasible. I couldn't afford it. And truthfully.....it's probably better that I wasn't there.

I sat down to eat with my family that evening with a heavy, but grateful heart. Sad because I was so far away when my son needed me the most. Grateful because no matter how bad of a break it was, it was repairable. He wasn't paralyzed. He wasn't dead. Grateful that I did not have to witness my son going through that moment that would've haunted me for the rest of my life. Grateful that our God is so loving that I was able to have peace in moments where there should have been none.

This is how my son spent Thanksgiving:

Without his mom, but with a God who loves Him so much more than I could ever dream of.

Thank you, Jesus!