If I had to chose one word to describe the year 2012 for our family, I would pick the word "change". This year we have had our mountain highs, and our valley lows, and more change than every other year combined. It's a good thing that no matter what kind of circumstance we may be facing, God's holding us in His hands. With that said, we've needed to be held a great deal this year. This year Tim and I have grown closer to the Lord and closer to each other.
The new year started with Tim's dad in the hospital, and with us left to wonder if he was going to make it out. The year is ending with our family moving to a new house and a new city. In between, there has been Tim's new job, the loss of a grandparent, little baby Jayda, part of our family broken a part, Tim reuniting with his birth mom, the loss of a family pet, my dad having heart surgery, and I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting. This year has brought indescribable joy and unbelievable heartache. While 2012 has been more than we were ever expecting, so has been God's grace that has carried us through it. Never have we experienced such highs and lows in one year. Part of me wants to hold on to 2012 a little longer, while the other part of me wants it to end. It's been a bittersweet year. We are leaving 2012 with more joy, a heavier heart, and very blessed. We now have a greater understanding of what it means to fully surrender to the Lord, and both Tim and I have found new meaning to the word "patience." We've learned that when we are weak, the Lord is strong. We've learned to be still before God. We've learned that God can take the ugliest of situations and turn them into something beautiful, We've learned more of what it means to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, and we've rejoiced in our sufferings because is brought us hope, understanding, patience, endurance. For all of these things we are humbled and grateful. We look forward to the start of 2013 knowing that whatever happens, we've got the Lord by our side.
