Happy New Years Eve!!

We are fighting the urge to curl up under the covers over here! It is cold outside!! I’m scared that if I get too warm and cozy, that I might fall asleep. It’s New Years Eve… I can’t fall asleep before midnight!! We are planning a festive evening of games, family time, some sparkling juice and watching the ball drop!

No matter how tired I feel right now, I have my coffee in hand and am so excited for these next few hours to pass! I cannot wait for this year to be over with!!

2017 has been a rough year for our family. I am so ready to tell it, “good bye and good riddance.” I would even be as bold to say that this has been the worst year of our lives. We have faced so many heartbreaking things- my husband lost his mother and his brother this year. We have dealt with sickness, hospital stays, planning funerals, and family drama. We have faced other, less painful, but still annoying issues during this year- a broken dryer, dead car batteries, financial stresses, and a broken dishwasher. Less than a week ago, the diamond fell out of my engagement ring and was lost. It has just been one thing after another. We have never faced a year with SO much in it.

This year has also been a year for growth. We have had experienced changes in our role in ministry. It has been an adjustment and a period of growth. He has taught us to lean on Him. He will guide and lead us, as long as we trust in Him.

We have to believe and trust that 2018 is going to be better. That this has all – as painful as it has been- is a part of God’s plan. These gut wrenching times have been stepping stones. God can use pain that the enemy puts us through for His good. That can be used for growth.

I still know the promises that I have had spoken to me from the Lord. I can look back in my journals and remember the excitement and hope in the future. Even though this year has pretty much sucked, I am choosing to hold on to those promises. Just because I haven’t seen them all come to pass yet, doesn’t mean that they aren’t. Maybe I just had some growing to do!! I have to cling to the hope that the best is yet to come. That tomorrow morning I will wake up and be able to take a deep breath, knowing that there is so much to look forward to. Even though the pain is still real and there is still healing to do, God has me. He sees right where I am on this journey and He will sustain me.

I am praying over myself this year- praying over my husband, children, church, family, dreams, finances, ministry…EVERYTHING!

I believe that 2018 is going to be the best ever. I am trusting for blessings, fulfilled promises, restoration, and peace.

I’m thankful that through Christ I have that hope!

Praying blessings over you in this New Year!