reflections of the year past. courage for the next.

Last night, after our dear friends left, we sat down and went through the year in pictures.  I just started this blogging thing back in October and am so glad to have you journey with us.  But for those of you who missed out on the first 3/4ths of our year, it looked something like this...


2010 ended much like it began.  New Year's Eve fondue with the Holabecks (although this year was in person rather than with skype across countries and oceans :)

sharing life with friends that have become family

vacationing in the great smoky mountains

celebrating another year of life

summer nights at the t-ball field

 living outside as much as possible

 stomping in rivers, hunting for crayfish and frogs

This is about where we met up.


The pictures and stories continue...

Last night, as we were reliving memories of this year past, I could hardly believe all the stories that lie beneath and in between these photos of laughter, friendship, and joy.  While our year has been filled with so much good, so much grace...it also has brought new scars, new pain.  And while I never would have asked for that, I rejoice for the hope, peace, strength, and joy God continues to give.  And, I am so thankful for the dear souls who have journeyed with us through the highs and lows.


We have faced surgeries and diagnoses and cancer and hurts that we never would have expected.  So, last night I prayed again for courage to continue on with whatever lies ahead...  
And it came this morning when I heard Sara Groves' song, When the Saints.  Reminding me of the man of sorrows and His long troubled road.  I see the world on His shoulders and my easy load.  And when the saints go marching in, I want to be one of them.

So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; 

rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen.  

For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.  

2 Corinthians 4.18