Good-Bye 2010, and Hello 2011

Well, it has been a LONGGGGGGG time since my last post. So much has changed and happened since then. I sit here typing this post thinking about the last year, and honestly wondering what the next year will bring. I sure hope in a lot of ways it is better than the last 365 days. I'm glad I didn't know all of the different things that would have happened this last year, because honestly I don't know if I could have handled it. 2010 was probably one of the hardest years Mike and I have ever had to go through. God has had to carry us many times this past year, and many times we felt like God was all we had. But, we also found out ultimately God is all we truly need. Even when others look on the outside and think they know what is going on or why, I have learned that I don't always have to defend or explain myself, as long as God knows our heart and intentions that's all that matters. We went from Mike losing his job, to his brother suddenly dying, to his mother dying about a month ago. The biggest positive is that we have added another member to our family. In the summer we added a 14 year old girl to our family. God led us to her and asked us to follow Him, even when the timing didn't really make a whole lot of sense, we still followed Him and know that He has a plan, not only for us, but for Rachel as well. It seems like she has always been with us and she is one of the family now. I am glad I don't know the future and what it holds. I know God holds it and that is really all that matters.
I have learned many lessons over the last year. I have learned to trust God, even when I don't understand at all. He has assured me that it is OK to not understand or even like the situation, but there is a reason and season for everything, and there are lessons to be learned. I have learned what marriage vows mean and value a husband that follows them as well. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband that loves me and our family, and never gives us, even when the "going is more than tough". I have watched my husband's heart break over losing 2 very important people in his life in a very short period of time. The saying that time heals all wounds, is really not true (which I already knew myself), because you never completely heal, you just learn how to deal with it. You see I have never lost a sibling (I have lost both of my parents though), but not the person that I grew up with. Mike said that in just a few short years, he has lost the people he grew up in his home with. You see he has an older brother, but by the time Mike could do and remember a lot, his older brother had moved out and started a family of his own. I think what has made this hard, is to watch Mike have to go through all of this. I have watched his heart break, and tears fall from his eyes and a sadness that you never want to see your husband have. Along with the fact, that these people were very important to me and were my family as well. I would have never guessed that was what 2010 had in store for us. But through that I have learned that God does have a plan for us.
I also would have NEVER guessed that we would have added another child to our home. I guess that was another one of those surprises God had in store, and a teenager at that. Is it difficult? There are joys and struggles with having a family of any size, and a preteen and a teenager at the same time can definitely make things very interesting. But I know there is a reason and they are such treasures. A teenager deserves as much love and attention as a baby or toddler that is cute and cuddly. They need to be guided and felt loved just like everyone else. Their world is so different than when I was a teenager, and they need guidance like never before. We say we know they will make mistakes just like we as parents and adults sometimes make mistakes, but we are in this together, good, bad and ugly:):). And through it all, God loves us and our children need to learn and have that in their lives as well. I have learned through all of my kids, what God's love it like for us. Sometimes, God even uses them to remind me that He is there and listening to me. Many times, one or the other will come up and give me a hug or a kiss just when I need it most or a little pat on the back or shoulder. Sometimes a little note will be left for me or Mike saying that they love me or think I am pretty. They along with Mike have made me laugh so much also, and I just love that! I have even had it said by one or more, "Thank you mom for adopting me, you saved my life." For a little kid to get that and understand is priceless, then I look at them and think, No, it is me that should be thanking them and most of all, God. See, that is how our God works, He knows when we have had enough, and when we need encouragement and His loving arms to fall into.
I have also experienced wonderful things this year, and some wonderful people that I couldn't imagine our lives without. I guess you can say that we have "found out who our friends are". We have had those that have stuck by us and supported us in ways they will never know. These people have willingly let God use them and we are grateful, from words of encouragement, to prayers, to a listening ear, to making us laugh when we needed it, to surprise gifts. These people will never know what they have done in our lives. We have learned so much from them and are truly grateful.
God is so good and is there no matter what. As I said before, there is a reason and a season for the things in our lives. I love that God loves me enough to be there and care to teach me things and is there "right on time". He has taught what is really important!
I anticipate 2011 and am excited for what God has in store for us. I know He has plans for us, He says so in His word, as long as we seek Him will ALL of our hearts. And that is what I strive to do more of, seek Him with ALL of my heart. Seek the one who loves me and died for me!
Happy New Year!!