coming of age

There are twenty four hours in a day, seven days a week, 28 to 31 days in a month, and 364 days in a year. It is hard to believe knowing this that time can fly by so fast and ferious. Within a blink of an eye a second can be gone, and not brought back again. And with each second gone we learn, grow, and either fall or fail.

As I sit here listening to the inernet I think of my children and my life. I think of how fast time as pasted and how much as happened. There are times I miss, and there are times I am so glad will not return. But all in all, there is a part of my heart that pings at the past, at times gone. I sit here now a mom of a teenager. Where has the time gone?

Thirteen years ago I was laying in a hospital bed not believing I was a mom for the first time. And now I sit here thinking I am a mom of a teenager, how can this happen. But the one thing I do know that has happened, is the growth and change. The one thing I have learned through the years, don't hold onto the past.

Yes, the past is wonderful. It is great to sit and look at pictures, but it is not something to focus on. You need to look forward, especially in your children's lives. As you children grow up things will change, times will come and go. But one thing that will remain their love. I don't care how old or young children are they love their parents.

So as I sit and listen to the inernet and think of my chidren, I want to thank God for my children. No I don't have every memory, and maybe I was not there for EVERY milestone, but I know they love me and I love them. I know that even though my son is thirteen, and many years are gone, I have many years to come.

It is a new year, and it has been a year of change even though it has just started. I personally am no longer Children's ministry director at Bethany. My children are starting their winter term B for school. My husband is trying to work both jobs, but it has been hard because of the economy. And lastly we has a family have been praying for God's guidance in all of this.

When I stepped down from my position at Bethany I thought for sure life would be great. Boy was I so wrong. It has been a difficult change in my life. Not having the tight schedule I am finding I am a lazy person. I don't like doing my work right away in the day. I would rather sit around ALOT. That is not good. But with the start of the new year, I am making a new years resolution of trying to get up and get started.

The kids are starting with a bang on their school. It has been easier to start with that anything else. They are plugging away through the human body, continuing their treck around the world, and beginning a new adventure through Oregon's history. They are excited and maybe alittle overwhelmed. With more time at home though we are all excited about the start of the new term.

Mike is trying to stay busy with work. After the wonderful snowy weather that hit us, he was home more around the holidays. It has been wonderful to spend it with the whole family. In fact, for the first time in over 10 years we got to spend New Year's Eve with Mike. It was great!! But with the start of the year we are praying that God will bring more business, and more provisions for the new year.

With all that said, for all of us our new year's resolution is to get up and get started. Last year we were all so busy with other things, and other people. We are all praying that we can focus on our family this year so we can strength ourselves. Once we are strength we will be able to add in the other things God leads us too. From spending more time as a family, to looking for a new church we are learning to put God in the lead and not ourselves.

As I finish my first blog I hope this has told you alittle bit of where we are at. I pray it will enlighten you, and encourage. "Through Christ all things are possible." And through Christ our family becoming one, and strength ourselves is very possible through the guidance of Christ.

thank you for joining us.