Happy New Year! Here's to the "gooder way"!

Happy New Year!!!!
I know I haven't written about our Christmas yet, but since it is already the new year, I'll start where we are and work my way back.

 

Last night was pretty low key for us. Our "not so little" one has not felt well since Christmas, so we've been stuck at home and making the best of it.

New Year's Eve for us consisted of grilling hamburgers, shooting a few fireworks, toasting with champagne (gatorade in a champagne glass for the little sicky) and 2 of us staying up until the new year eastern time.

(And yes, he has on goggles in that picture. I am slightly paranoid about fireworks.)

 

The best part of the night was when we sat around the dinner table and talked about our favorite memories of 2012 and what we hope for in 2013. Of course, at the top of the list of what we all hope for in 2013 is for our baby to come home. And I have to add that Hayes is hoping this new year brings "babies". Did you catch the plural? Shaun and I both say "bring it on, Lord, in any way shape or form, bring it on!" But who knows what His plan is, right? Which brings me to the best conversation of the night that came with a sweet reminder from the youngest one in the house.

H: "If I were in control, I would bring our baby home right now."

Me: "I wish you could! I guess we've learned that that's not the way it works, huh?"

H: "Yep, it definitely works the other way around. And.... that other way is 'gooder'."

 

So for 2013, we are putting our faith in God's way, the "gooder" way!

(And as a little sidenote....In my attempt to keep it real, I want you to know that not every discussion in our house is deep and meaningful. So FYI, I believe one of the next conversations we had (after this deep and meaningful one, of course) was about private parts.:) Not going to go into details about that one!)

 

Have you ever read from "Streams in the Desert"? It's old school (first copyright is in 1925, just like The Great Gatsby, that I'm re-reading right now, by the way. Did you know they are making a new Great Gatsby movie that's coming out this year?) Anyway, back to the devotional. The language is definitely a little old and confusing sometimes but it is a great daily read. Really rich!

So I read it this morning and the scripture from "Streams" for Jan. 1st is Deuteronomy 11:11-12, "But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. ¹² It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end."

 

 Great reminder that in life there are mountains and valleys. But God cares always and his eyes have never left us.

"It is not all smooth nor all downhill.....we want the hills and the valleys. The hills collect the rain for a hundred fruitful valleys. Ah, so it is with us! It is the hill difficulty that drives us to the throne of grace and brings down the shower of blessing; the hills, the bleak hills of life that we wonder at and perhaps grumble at, bring down the showers. How many have perished in the wilderness, buried under its golden sands, who would have lived and thrived in the hill country; how many would have been killed by the frost, blighted with winds, swept desolate of tree and fruit but for the hill- stern, hard, rugged, so steep to climb. God's hills are a gracious protection for His people against their foes!
We cannot tell what loss and sorrow and trial are doing. Trust only. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way today. It shall be a good, a blessed new year!"
-Mrs. Charles E. Cowman-

I hope your 2013 is good and blessed. I hope you are filled with peace, love, and joy from the Lord. And if you are in the midst of a rugged, steep climb, I hope you can rest in God's grace and protection, in His provisions and love. I hope you will reach out your hand and depend on Him to pull you through.

A Christmas post coming soon.........