Catching My Breath

The holidays swirled in quickly this year. Not that that is unusual, is it?

So, there has been little chance until now to contemplate a year finished, another just unfolding.

Over all? It was a long, hard year. Difficulties multiplied. I had considered the previous year challenging, but I have learned to endure even more as the days and weeks of 2011 passed. Good lessons, but hard. He has taught me well. He does all things well.

The year also brought much joy: courtship, engagement, and a wedding, for instance. I watched daughters and sons grow in gifts of music, directing, teaching, and guiding. A granddaughter arrived to us in August. I have grown in my understanding of seasons. They have grown in their love for Him. This is joy.

A new church site was established in Potsdam. This has meant Rick preaches two times every Sunday. But with the new year there is a sense of something new in the air. Rick is sensing a change; something new is coming. We wait to see exactly what it will look like. Writing. Travel. We will allow Him to lead.

And the change effects all of us. How can it not? Our two remaining in school will be swept up in the change, I am sure. That will be exciting to see as well.

So, to Him who holds the year in His hands, I bow. I surrender all to Him, more and more readily as the years pass. He can be trusted with them all.