2013 Blessings

Hello, Dear Friends,

I know it has been quite a while since I have taken time to write.  November and December were very busy months, just packed with one blessing after another.  We were able to help with and attend the 15th Annual Christmas Banquet.  How beautiful it all was; but most importantly was the fact that so many were able to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for the privilege of being able to spend time with my cousin, Tammie, and her husband, Henry González, and three of their four precious children (Joel, Brenda and Gracie).  What an encouragement they were to us.  (I did not take time to upload pictures, but my sister, Ruth, wrote about it on her blog.  I know it will be a great encouragement to you.  You can click here to read all about it.)

 Henry González preaching

 Elisa watching Mimi write

 Beautiful Mother speaking at the banquet

 Enjoying good company during the banquet

Andy and Anna...I love this man!

Well, Christmas has come and gone...what a blessed time it was here with our family.  There were a total of  27 of us together this Christmas.  It was a sweet time of remembering the birth of Christ, and what that means to us.  It means that God loved us so much that He sent his Only Begotten Son into this sinful world.  God was made flesh and He dwelt among us.  Jesus Christ was sent in propitiation for our sins. What a comfort to know that He is my Saviour; He took my punishment; and He now intercedes at the right hand of the Father and prepares a place for me!

 Christmas Morning!

 


As I meditate upon this past year, and all that has transpired, and as I remember all the blessings that God has graciously bestowed upon me and my family, I can only be grateful.  If I could list each area of my life, each area of my marriage, each moment in the life of my three children, you could see how God has put His loving hand upon our lives.  He has brought us through things that have surely brought us closer to Him; and when Satan has tried to convince us that we are forgotten and unloved, that is when God has worked even in the smallest of things to remind us once again just HOW MUCH we are loved.  We have received notes of encouragement from friends who remind us that they are praying for us.  What encouragement that brings!


In the last month, God has blessed our family with 2 new babies...Mackenzie Grace was born to David and Jolene on November 22, and Gabriel Robert Joel was born to Philip and Liz on December 12.  How precious these babies are!  I have been able to be with and love on Baby Gabriel and visit with Liz.  Baby Gabe is such a sweetheart!

 Baby Mackenzie and her beautiful Mommy

Baby Mackenzie and Proud Daddy

Precious Baby Gabriel

Our Andrew Jonathan turned 10 on December 22.  I am so grateful for God's protection upon the life of our oldest son; however, I must admit that time seems to be flying by too quickly.  He is growing all too quickly and I suspect will only be a "little boy" for a short time.  He is such a blessing to us.  He told me, "Mommy, this was the funnest birthday I've ever had!"  His daddy bought him ping-pong paddles and a net, and he and the boys (cousins and boys from the church) played nearly all day long.  I am enjoying mothering this sweet, encouraging little boy.  Pray for us, that God will give us His wisdom as we continue on this journey of parenthood.

In only three short weeks, our Baby Thomas Gregory, who has been only a delight and joy to our family, will be turning one year old.  What fun this past month has been, as we have watched him quickly learning new things!  He wants to walk and get in on all the fun that the older children are doing; but I am enjoying his "immobility" while it lasts!!!  (You Mamas out there know what I'm talking about, right?!)

God used a special lady to answer one of the desires of my heart recently.  She gave us a bed for our Deborah Jolene, as well as a china cabinet, which I needed!  Just 10 days ago, one of my uncles drove down and brought these things to us.  Thank you, Melissa, for your generosity!

We met a new friend (whom I'll tell you more about in a different post) who has been a huge blessing to me personally, and who blessed us all with a special visit last week.  Her name is Kelli Copeland, and we are thankful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross.

My dear, sweet mother's birthday is today.  I thank God for allowing her to continue to enjoy good health and a blessed life at her 70 years of age.  How good God as been to her (and to us) in allowing her to continue to minister to women literally all over the world; but she is content to minister to her beloved Indian women here in the church.  Yesterday after the morning service, the brethren presented her with gifts and words of love and appreciation as they wished her a happy birthday.  It was a touching time to see people pass to the front and give her gifts and hugs and shed tears as they thanked her for the life of service to her Lord.

Mom and Dalila, who was saved at last year's banquet, and whom Mom is discipling

As this year comes to a close, we all have hopes and plans, filled with purpose and new beginnings.  May our utmost desire be that our precious Lord increase, as we decrease; and that His holy name would be magnified and glorified in our lives.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"  Romans 11:33

"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."  Romans 11:36