Here we are, on the last day of 2013.  Can you believe it?

   We are freshly home from our vacation to Florida, and it has taken me a bit to recover, regroup, and even THINK about logging onto my blog.  But the girls are sleeping and I think I am up for one last post in this marvelous year, before we start a brand spankin' new one.

   I have MUCH to catch up on.  Jocelyn's 3rd birthday, days in the sun, family reunions and airplane rides….but for today, the only thing I really want to do is a good ol' 2013 year-in-review.  I've done it a couple of times before, (see last year's over here)  and it never ceases to remind me of the many blessings we've been given, and all of the wondrous things God has done for us.

   I'm still asking God to give me a "word" for 2014, but I think I know what my verse is.  Psalm 77:11 says, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago."

    You really need the context of the whole chapter for that verse, but basically, the psalmist is in a dark and painful place, crying out to God for help and rescue.  He speaks of distress, seeking the Lord, groaning and growing faint.  He wonders….""Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High." 

    And that is precisely when he decides to remember what the Lord has done for him.  To remember His miracles of long ago.  Because you see, even if we are going through a dry and weary place and it feels like God is no where to be found, we can always look into the past and see Him.  Sometimes it feels so hard to look into the future and find rest, hope.  So look into the past!  REMEMBER the times He has been there for you.  Come through for you.  Remember the miracles He has done.  The times He has saved you from the pit.  The times He has set your feet on a solid rock.  And by looking back upon all that He has done for you and brought you through, you will find hope. You will find joy.  And you will be able to look ahead, for the wonders and miracles that are still to come.



January


Lots of time indoors due to some sickness.

February……..

Whoo, snuck this one in at the buzzer!

Today's Blogtember prompt is share a memory you would love to relive.

   OH my, where do I start on this one?  There are so many classics, too many to name.  The sweet taste of victory on the volleyball court.  Those epic weeks of Spring Valley Bible camp.  Performing on stage in the school play.  Falling in love.  Dates, holding hands, seeing him in that tux, walking down that aisle.  The piercing cry of our first born child.  The first time that same child said "I love you mama", unprompted.  Like I said, I could go on and on and on. 

But if I HAD to choose? I would have to say our honeymoon. 


   What a trip.  We were young, in love, had money in our pockets, and all the time in the world.  We headed South of the Border and spent time in the sand and the sun, and I cherished every bit of it.  Talk about LIVIN the DREAM.

   Randy, if I haven't told you this yet, forgive me.  I should have 1,000 times by now.  THANK-YOU for planning the perfect honeymoon.  Thank you for prioritizing it, saving up for it, and just going above and beyond to give us a little escape from reality.  I had the best time in the world with you.  I didn't think it was possible to fall more in love with you, but I did.  I just remember thinking, "I always thought this was a cliché, but this really is paradise."  You are the best person in the world to travel with.

 I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.