2010 A Faith Odyssey

Here’s our New Year’s blog a few days late!
　

In a few short days it will be 2011. I’m sitting here in North Carolina sipping coffee by a cozy warm fireplace thinking of all that has happened this year.
Here’s a sample:

We said goodbye to Travis’ mom who passed away after battling ALS for 3 years. We have hope that she is in heaven with Jesus.

We had to put our “third child“ Brownie, to sleep. She was just the best dog and one of Mo’s rewards for being medically brave when she was 4.

Our family was separated for four months while Moriah and I lived in a children’s hospital in Texas while she underwent weeks of Halo Gravity Traction and major spinal surgery.

I met about 15 amazing godly ladies in Texas who became so close to my heart! I will never forget their tender care of us, prayers on our behalf, fellowship, and fun they brought to that hospital room we called home for a while.

Our church family showered us with love and cards and prayer while we were away. Two sweet friends even drove 12 hrs. just to get me out of the hospital for a day and Moriah got to spend the day with her sweet friend!

Travis only worked four months out of the whole year.

In April, Travis was accepted to Shepherds Theological Seminary in Cary, North Carolina while Moriah was recovering from surgery in the PICU.

The last week in July we said goodbye to all our loved ones and moved to North Carolina to pursue Travis‘ call to full time ministry. Leaving our family, our friends, and especially “our kids” at Grace Bible Church is one of the hardest things we’ve ever done.

God so graciously provided for all our needs here in NC: a great town home, good schools, specialists for Moriah, a new church family, and a job that is more than we could have hoped for.

This year we are celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas the farthest away from home that we have ever been.

Travis received all A’s his first semester.

Our family is as close as ever.

We are seeing evidences of our children walking with the Lord.
　
　
It is interesting to remember that this time last year I had no idea what lie in store for our family. I call 2010 a “Faith Odyssey” because all of these circumstances and blessings challenged us and reminded us to live out our faith in God; what we know to be true about Him, taught in the Bible.

Faith in God’s Sovereignty-His complete rule over all time and circumstances and things. Not one aspect of our lives is beyond His control.

Faith in God’s Goodness- He only does what is right, no mistakes.

Faith in God’s Provision- That what we really need, we will have, at the right time and in the right way. He’ll take care of us.

Faith in God’s Love- That all of our circumstances are for our good and will result in His glory.

Faith in God’s Mercy, Grace, and Protection- that He’ll be right there with us. He won’t leave us. He’ll give us His strength to bear whatever circumstances He brings into our lives to change us, grow us, make us able to help others and bring Him glory.

It’s been quite a year. There have been many days filled with laughter. Many sweet times of fellowship. Days when I thought I had run out of tears. Nights when all I wanted to do was sleep but couldn’t. Moments when I was so scared and completely undone. Precious “hugs from God” where He sent His people to minister to us. Opportunities we had to comfort others with the comfort we had received. Adventures we “bravely” took trusting we were following what God wanted for us. I wouldn’t change one moment of one day. 2010 was a good year. Better is one day (no matter what that one day looks like) lived with the assurance of God’s love in Jesus Christ, than a thousand days without Him. I look forward to what God has planned for the coming year!