The New Year is Here!!!

2005 is here!

I hope that all of you had a blessed holiday as we welcomed in a new year! Our family had so much fun! We journeyed about 45 minutes to the home of some friends to celebrate! Our two families totaled 17 people and lots of excitement! With children ranging from 21 (me) to 10 months (my little brother Samuel) there was noise, laughter and a few tears as we played and talked. We began the evening at an attempted bonfire, which was quickly forgotten amidst the cold weather and inviting dinner. We ate, played games, talked, ate again, had a music/worship time, played games, ate some more, set off fireworks at midnight, played hide-and-go-seek in the dark on their 2 acres (at this point it is about 2AM!) and finished the evening with a game of Spoons (which I won, by the way... sorry Caleb! ;) It was the most fun I have had in a long time and such a blessing to us all! I praise God for all of them, their passion for God and for our friendships!

This time of year always prompts a reflective spirit inside of me. What happened in my life this last year? What did I learn about life? How has my relationship with God changed? How have I changed and grown? Are old weaknesses gone? Have new ones come? What will I do with the next year?

I cannot answer all of these right now, nor do I want to on a blog! The year started out with a major trial. Quickly, God renewed my passion for life and for the most part this year has been wonderful! I praise God for teaching me so much and for carrying me through all I faced. He has used the pain to energize passion for His name. I went to Summit Ministires' two-week leadership conference in May. That alone has left me changed forever. May we be more radical and influncial in this world than we ever have been before! Our family went to visit my dad's parents in North Carolina. A very refreshing trip to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and experienced hurricane Jeanne! I also voted in my first presidential election... and a good one to start with too!!!

Most of all, I have truly learned that God is faithful. Never before have I called on Him in such times of confusion, grief, joy and contentment. God keeps His promises. Simple, profound and life-changing. When you grab onto it with your whole being, you will never be the same again! If I believe that God is faithful and keeps His promises, I should be willing and eager to do anything for Him. Whatever He asks... whether it makes sense or not. He is worthy of my trust because He has proved Himself faithful before- to me and to the generations before me!

So, this is what I have learned. I am looking forward to the lessons I will learn in the year to come! May all of you be blessed with the presence of God in your life. Trust Him. All the rest is an overflow of grace!

For God Alone,
Jaclyn