Our next stop was H1's brother's home in NY. He and his wife have 3 boys, ages 12, 10, and 8. H3 enjoyed playing with her cousins, both inside the house and out sledding. She had never been sledding before and really seemed to enjoy it, taking turns going down the hill with everyone.
Tomorrow we will be heading back to VA. Our New Year's Eve is being spent quietly. My father-in-law took us to Texas Roadhouse earlier today for lunch to celebrate H1's 28th birthday. This evening, he fried pork chops for us for dinner and then H1 blew out the candle on his yummy cake--a yellow cake with peanut butter frosting.
H3 is now in bed and H1 and I plan to take an evening stroll for a cup of coffee before settling in for a game and waiting for the countdown to midnight. To keep with one of my few holiday traditions, I will call my dad right after midnight to wish him a happy birthday as well. So H1 is a New Year's Eve baby, and my dad is a New Year's Day baby.
In brief reflection, 2010 had been a hard year for us. We've lost a lot no matter what area you look in. We've lost friends and family, though we look forward to greeting them in heaven one day. Financially it's been a rough year, and though H1's job has gone pretty well, it's been a struggle with family time and trying to get things taken care of medically. What I've learned though has been worth so much more. I've seen God's grace firsthand. I've experienced His healing. I've witnessed how He provides. It's still been hard. There are still days that I fall apart, but I'm learning how to keep walking forward with my focus in the right place. Walking with God doesn't mean that I won't stumble or have a meltdown once in a while. What it does mean is that when I do, I acknowledge what's happened, accept His grace, mercy, and His complete control, and keep moving forward. Sometimes it's only a millimeter. God is interested in my response to my circumstances. Choosing to trust Him no matter what is the only answer. So here's to saying goodbye to a tough year and looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2011.
~H2
1 comment:
Yes! I keep getting the word-RESTORATION! May 2011 be filled with Restoration!
Trails are so hard, but you are correct, they do give us first hand experience in grace and if we don't get bitter, always bring us closer to the Father!
Love you Sweet Cousin!
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