During the first few days of 2013 I have spent much time reflecting on 2012 and the many changes that occurred throughout the year. One of the first changes that occurred in 2012 was Christopher, my oldest child, graduated from High School. The tears still well up in my eyes as I think about his Graduation today. It was a wonderful and bittersweet time for me. With High School Graduation comes the inevitable: COLLEGE. Christopher moved off to college in the fall of 2012 and had a very successful first semester, both with his classes (earning a 3.5 GPA) and on the Basketball court. With his big move to Alabama our house is substantially more quiet and less messy. However, I definitely feel the void of not having him home.
Lizzy turned 16 this year and we all now what that means! She is driving now. She is driving and driving and driving - driving the wheels right off her car. She spends many hours a day driving to attend all of her many activities associated with school and cheer. Although it is really helpful having her drive I miss the time we would spend together in the car. There were so many good mom and daughter conversations that happened on the way to school each morning. I find myself longing for those moments with her and must be diligent about making time to talk when she comes home from school.
Maddie turned 5 this year. She has lost that "Baby" look and is now a big girl. She has made leaps and bounds in her development. Speech Therapy has shifted from Speech development to language and concept improvement. Maddie overall had a difficult year adjusting to her new sister, however with much love and lots of structure she has come along way. Sharing is still a challenge but she is working on it.
Mia came home this year and has shared her sweet spirit and loving character with us all. She adjusted very quickly to all of us and fits in perfectly. She has grown so much over the last 6 months and is now starting to say a few words (as much as she can with her speech limitations and open palate). I took an extended leave of absence from work and spent 6 months bonding with Mia. The new year will bring me back to work and Mia to a daycare setting. Change is inevitable and 2013 will certainly usher in changes in our family. Mia's biggest challenge in the new year will be to overcome her palate closure surgery scheduled for January 24th. I am feeling a little nervous about it but will look to GOD for calm and strength.
The new year typically leads to people making resolutions in their lives. Several years ago, KLOVE's morning radio show, introduced a new way of looking at new years resolutions. They suggested that you pick one word that will be the resounding theme of your life over the next year. So in 2010, I did just that. We were in the process of adopting Maddie and were waiting to travel to China. My theme was Obedience. Although we were well into the process of adoption, at that last moment before travel, I got very nervous and had doubt. Was I doing the right thing, would I be a good mother to Maddie, would she love us and adjust quickly? All of these things were whirling around in my head - until the moment I choose the theme "Obedience". Once I spoke that word something changed. I resolved to be obedient - obedient to the path that GOD had led me on and clung to HIS promise that he will never leave me. Throughout the year of bringing Maddie home and getting adjusted to 3 children, I had many opportunities to be Obedient to GOD.
2011 brought a theme of Blind Obedience. Blind Obedience is certainly a step further than Obedience. It is total commitment, jumping off the cliff into the abyss to follow your GOD. Knowing that he is faithful to his obedient followers. 2011 brought many decisions in our lives and some very difficult personal challenges. Blind Obedience led me to follow GOD even though everything around me and my circumstances were telling me different - telling me to go a different direction. One of the most important decisions we made as a family during 2011 was to pursue another adoption as well as accepting the referral of Mia. In looking back, I can see the needlework of GOD, especially during 2011. Preparing us, teaching us, molding us into who we need to be for HIM that we humbly serve.
2012's theme was Forgiveness. There were many things and people that I needed to forgive, whether they had sought my forgiveness or not. I learned that forgiveness sets the forgiver free as well as the forgiven. This year of forgiveness brought my life true happiness. Happiness in my marriage, in my family, with my children and in my friendships. What a year 2012 has been. When I look back on the year, how far I have come with my relationship with GOD and all the milestones as a family we have seen I feel warm and fuzzy and HAPPY!
That brings me to 2013 and this years theme - Faithfulness. Faithfulness is defined as full of faith, strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker - true to one's word, promises, vows, etc. - steady in allegiance or affection: loyal. I want to be full of faith and more importantly I feel called to be a faithful worker for GODS kingdom. I want to give my testimony of obedience, forgiveness and faith. I want to lead people to GOD and hopefully open their minds to Adoption or whatever GOD has planned for them. I am excited to see what GOD has planned for this year. I hope that you follow along with our blog and see what amazing things GOD has for us in this new year.
