50 in P-Town: January 2014

Goodbye to 2013, Hello to 2014.

2013 has been a trying year but yet happy in many ways:

~Grandpapa got rid of lymphoma

~Daughter-in-law, Rachel, graduated with her doctorate in pharmacy and she and Stephen moved to Nevada

~Watching Micah grow into his first year

~My boss and his wife had a baby boy (Sweet surprise in their 40s)

~Enjoyed lots of family parties

~A great vacation to Siesta Key

~A wonderful trip out west to visit the kids and explore some national parks

~A great Christmas season both with family and at church

~Busy year of accelerated learning at work as we have had to pick up the slack with staff members moving on or undergoing cancer treatments

~Enjoying my Fridays with my grandchildren and parents

~Good news that I am a grandmother of 4 now! Erin is due in the fall.

~And on and on and on...

I look forward to 2014:

Praying for continued good health for my parents

...and for a smooth, healthy pregnancy for my daughter and safe birth of my 4th grandchild

.......Milestones such as my sister's 40th birthday

..........My dad's 80th birthday

.............My son's 30th birthday

................Our 35th wedding anniversary

.....................more responsibilities at work (praying for mental sharpness and energy)

............................another trip out west to visit Stephen and Rachel

...............................and more possible joy, sorrow, trials and victories.

AND, of course, continued spiritual growth and Bible study through this next year. I can say that the Lord has taught me many lessons and loved me through them this past year.

BUT I know the following is true:

Proverbs 16:9

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Life can change in a few seconds but I know He will be there.

I was at the funeral of a very strong Christian lady today. People talked of the 'hope' of seeing her again when we go to heaven. We use the word in our culture as "I hope I can go to Europe one day." or "I hope you get well soon."

This Webster definition makes it clear - HOPE: "To cherish a desire with anticipation" and "to expect with confidence". Yes!! Exactly.

2013 has been a year of loss for many of our church family and we don't know what 2014 will bring. I thank God for the comforting certainty that is the hope of heaven and, in the meantime, abundant life here.

Some of my favorite moments this year: