Goodbye 2008

What a year it has been. I would never have expected to go through all I did in one short year. And to think that others go through much more. Thankfully I know that there is a God who will never leave me and has helped me through it all. I have learned to trust Him more than ever. He is the one who gives and takes away (to quote from a song) but my heart will choose to say Blessed be Your Name.
Back in January my Sis-in-law went into premature labor and had my niece at 23 weeks. She was 1 lb some ounces (forgot exact now). Rhianna lives 25 hours. During that 25 hours I got the chance to travel to Tulsa to see her in the NICU and see how precious life is and how God designs everything even for a little baby as young as her. Just to walk in the NICU is a life changing experience. Then we had a small funeral for her and had to explain to Nat all about her and her death....not an easy thing to do when she thought only old people die.
In March was Alex's first bday...fun fun! And in April my brother and his girlfriend got married and Natalie had her first job as flower girl. June and July we VBSd it to Hawaii two weeks and Nat had her 4th bday at the church's new playground.
Oh yeah forgot to put in what else happened in April (not that I forgot it just needed it's own paragraph). On April 15th (tax day) Dad was diagnose with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. A rare type of cancer. He started a rough track of Chemo for 6 sessions. After that we was cleared of cancer and cleared to go through with a stem cell replacement procedure in Dallas. Mom and him were there for 6 weeks. Right now dad continues to be in remission but we do know it will probably come back in the future.
The rest of the year has been spent hearing of death after death of people I know from cancer. Cancer is evil!!!!
We also started teaching the College Sunday School class in August. That has been a wonderful time. The group of "kids" are great and will be a big influence on so many people in the future. I'm so proud of all of them (most I've heard have made all As this semester) and know that God is going to use them...and not just the ones who have been called into full time ministry.

Take time to reflect about your last year. See where God has brought you through. Just like the story Footprints in the sand.....when I look back I can see where I walked and where God had to carry me because I didn't think I could make it.