Goodbye too soon...

It is 2014.  I cannot believe it is 2014.  I cannot believe that I have been married for a year, one month and two days.  I cannot believe that my nieces have already been on this earth for six months. It feels like just yesterday they arrived. (Probably not to my brother and sister-in-law who have lost great amounts of sleep over that short amount of time.)  Where did 2013 go?  It is crazy!  When I was a kid, I wished my childhood away.  I wanted to be an adult.  As a kid, time seemed to stand still.  Days felt like they would never end.  School felt like it would go on forever.  Now here I am, a mom of five (eight including my three step-kids) and time seems to be moving faster than I can keep up.  All eight are all inching closer and closer to adulthood before my eyes and I cannot make that clock slow down. It is incredible how fast the seconds pass.

So many great things happened in 2013.  Amazing things!  Things that still make me wonder, “What is it that is really going on?”  I am baffled, amused, and astonished at the work done in 2013.  In previous years, I saw God move.  I experienced His presence.  I knew He was real and working but in 2013, He blew my mind.  So much bad had happened in the past but this year, He restored and redeemed!  2013 brought joy!  Immense joy!  It brought blessings.  Tremendous blessings! So much that brought Him glory. Romans 8:28 became my motto as I watched Him work all the evil things that had happened out for good. 

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."

Romans 8:28

 Blessings poured out answering the desires of my heart. 

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” 

Psalm 37:4  

It all has taught me that His word is Truth!  His promises are real!  There are no doubts in my mind whatsoever of the unending love and sovereignty of God.   Several years ago, I spent my fair share of time doubting Him. I questioned the source of all the heartache in my life but as I realized the true source that caused my pain, my doubt of Him vanished.  As I witnessed Him undo the evil that had been done and the way in which He made things right, I knew that God does not fail.  Ever!  People do but God does not!   God is truly faithful!

I am sad to say goodbye to 2013.  It passed by too quickly. It was a year full of beautiful memories and experiences but I am holding fast to His promises and knowing that whatever He has ahead for my family, and me He will be there to carry me through, good or bad! 

Welcome 2014!!  Let the journey begin!