Merry Christmas friends! I hope this finds you and your family well. Christmas is such a beautiful time of year. I love the fresh snow and the lights and the decorations and the hot chocolate and the music... However, what I really love is the time I get to spend with my family celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason we celebrate and rejoice! The gifts we give to each other pale in comparison to the gift of Jesus, who was sent to die in our place so that we can have eternal life. This year I have had plenty of time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to give thanks for all the good gifts in my life.
As I look back on this year, I can easily say that it has been the hardest year of my life. I was looking forward to preparing to head overseas full time and finally fulfill the dream I have been working toward for so many years. I was looking forward to learning a new language and culture and living in a warm climate. I was looking forward to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people who have never heard. That all changed in January as I was flying home from visiting my family for Christmas. All that was taken away in a moment. This last year has instead been filled with doctors appointments, trying to work, having to quit work, and many secluded days at home. It has been full of family struggles as we put my grandpa in the nursing home and family joys as my brother and his wife had their marriage celebration. It has been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster this year as I have learned how to seek God in a new way, trust Him unconditionally and get to know myself in a new way.
After another doctor appointment with nothing new to report, I will be going to Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN for some more tests. I do not know when my appointment will be yet, but I'll keep you posted. It is my hope and prayer that they will be able to help me get back to living a "normal" life. I do not know what the future holds, but I am confident in Who holds my future. It is in loving, capable hands and I wouldn't want it any other way!
When I think about this past year I am so grateful. It has been hard and maybe if I could change it all I would. But God has given me so many gifts through everything that has happened that I don't think I would. He has softened my heart, taught me new truths about Him and His love for me, and given me the opportunity to spend amazing times with my family that I would have missed out on.
Romans 12:12 has been such an encouragement to me. It says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." I want to thank you so much for the prayers and support and love you have given me this past year. I look forward with great joy to this next year and can't wait to see what God has in store for all of us!
May you have a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Lord!
