looking behind and looking ahead.

As we begin a New Year, it is always a time to think back on where we have come and look ahead to where we are going. When I look back on 2012, there were some uncertainties but one thing stands out: God is faithful.

God answered many prayers in 2012:

We prayed for the decision of where to go for residency. God led us and gave us peaceful hearts about the decision to come to Waco, Texas.

We prayed for a home in Texas. I am certain God saved this house for us. The way the realtor and house process came together so easily and quickly was surely God's hand at work.

We prayed for new friends. God blessed us with a great residency class. Sweet wives who stay at home with their little boys that have been blessings to us. A friend I met at swimming lessons with Owen, and neighbors who are wonderful. It was all His design.

We prayed for a church and church family. God led us to Harris Creek. He lead us to a life group with young families who are inspiring and encouraging and challenging.

We prayed that this decision to move would draw us closer as a family and to Him...and it is. It is funny, that sounds so simple and easy but often it is not. It is challenging and it is real. I did a powerful Bible study this fall. God really got ahold of me good. He made me see truth that I knew, but really realize it. The study is called Stuck by Jennie Allen. We all have our "stuck" places. Places that your mind wanders to when your driving in the car..the place you worry over. One of my big areas is expectations. I have always worried about what others think. Always. I like to make everyone happy. And when that blows up in my face, I get lost. But I had to change the way I think. I am learning that I can't worry about what people of this world think of me. I can't make them an idol in my life and take away joy. I serve God, and my husband and child come next.

I think the next big thing I realized was to really look at this world through a lens with an eternal perspective. What really matters...it is not all the stuff we have, we need, we want. People's lives matter...most importantly their eternal life.

God has been kind with His blessings. He knows the desires of our heart. Sometimes prayers are not answered in our timing, and we must remember that His timing is best.

It is so amazing to look back on some big uncertainties and see God had it all worked out. We just had to trust in Him. Excited to see what He has in store in 2013