We are beginning the new year with sunshine and a temperature of 20 degrees below zero, wind chill at -41. A strong start to what we pray and declare will be a year filled to overflowing with the goodness of God.
The past year has held a few challenges for us, but when Joel and I sat together to recount all our blessings they quickly filled our "cup" to overflowing. Looking back on winter 2017, we played a lot of Scrabble. I broke my toe in February which lent itself to more games until I could wear shoes again and get outside. In March we spent 5 days with three of our treasures while their parents were off in Europe. I confess that homeschooling required extra activity for my brain! It was great fun to spend so much quality time with them. May had us going to Des Moines to celebrate our oldest granddaughter Grace's graduation, and granddaughter Greta's Confirmation. In June we headed to Wisconsin to celebrate our oldest grandson Evan's HS graduation. Soon after I had surgery for malignant melanoma on my back. In late July we decided to mark off the number one thing on our "adventures with God list" and take a trip out to Bethel Church in Redding CA. We drove our "new-to-us" Enclave so we rode in comfort through Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Nevada, South Dakota, and CA seeing nature at it's best. We spent 10 days in Redding, attending 40 hours of teaching, preaching, socializing, prophetic and Sozo sessions, going to the Healing Rooms, and more. Amazing. October brought yet another health issue with an autoimmune skin disorder, and the end of December I began having eye shots in my left eye for macular degeneration that swiftly caused blood vessel leakage. Our family gathering right after Christmas brought us such joy! We cherish the moments we are all together. We ended this year attending a Sunday morning worship service with friends.
Throughout each challenge, each adventure, each encounter with God's Presence, we have seen the goodness of God. I just can't stop feeling so grateful. Grateful for His Son, for Salvation, for Healing, for guidance, for adventures, for Bethel, for family, and for friends.
Today we will break bread together with friends. There is something special about sitting down to a meal together, gathered round the table. We will intentionally talk about the future and share our insights, dreams, plans, and purposes together. Both our friends and us are seeking new adventures as God walks with us through this season of our lives. He is always faithful.
Where are you gathering today? Will you be breaking bread with others? No matter where we break bread today, we have ahead of us a new year with new adventures with God. As we open the door to 2018, we pray for you all an abundance of blessings. And lots and lots of joy!
Happy New Year!
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