A New Beginning

The last time I posted was on June 10.  So much has happened since then.  When I come to this blog to write a new post, the first thing I see is the last post I wrote.  It may sound corny, but I look back to that post every time I come here to try to write a new one and think about how simple that day was. Perhaps overly simple.  Going on and on about sunflowers.  Our year since then has been a roller coaster ride of events, from having to deal with the repercussions of disastrous tornadoes and cattle rustling to freak accidents and computer hacks.

But my response to the old adage of "When it rains, it pours" is summed up in this Facebook post I shared on Thanksgiving:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance [patience]. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

It has definitely been a trying year for us. We've kept things pretty private, but it's been really rough. More than once, Josh and I have began to pray together, to thank God for the blessings He's provided and choked over the words "thank you". Because sometimes, life hurts. And sometimes, the trials we face just don't seem to deserve a justified "thank you". But we give thanksgiving not just on today and not just because we appreciate what is happening around us, but daily because we know that there is a Work greater than us at work IN us. And because no matter what, our God is greater than any tribulation we've experienced, from the little hiccups to the devastating. For that assurance and hope, I have an understanding of gratitude this year that I've never understood before.

Last year was hard. I know that turning a page on the calendar doesn't mean much of anything but I am so glad that 2015 is over.  It's a new year, a new beginning.  We still have to deal with the carryover trials of  last year, but... there's a refreshing sense of new hope.  

This post multi-purpose. First, it's acting as a sense of closure to 2015.  I'm not dwelling on the past. Last year is over and it's time to move on.  I'm not going to come to my blog to share a memory only to freeze up at the sight of my last post and what once was.  With this closure, I'm writing again.  I couldn't find a way to share the trouble but at the same time, I couldn't just skip over it completely. With the finish of 2015 and what I'm considering closure, I'm doing just that: skipping over the trouble and continuing on.

Secondly and most importantly, this post is to say what an amazing, awesome God we serve! What we've learned through what we've been through will always be with us.  Everyone faces trials at some point and this is ours.  My God is more real than He's ever been and my hope, faith and trust in Him is at an all time high.   We consider life as pure joy.  Through the good and bad, we'll look for joy.  I am not worried.  I do not fear the difficult circumstances the changes caused.  I don't like them, but I don't fear them either.  God has always provided for each and every one of our needs and I have no doubt that as we continue to strive to serve Him in all that we do, He will continue to provide.  My heart is so full of gratitude for the blessings He has given: Josh and the kids, our health, our families, our home and farm, our church, our friends, and mostly our salvation and hope of eternity with Him.  I will praise His name forever!

So, here's to the end of 2015 and the beginning of a new beginning in 2016.  No matter what happens, good or bad in our eyes, it will be blessed!