My daughter's favorite gift was a surprise from her Grandma who gave her a picture frame with three pictures: her sewing a dress, her showing off her completed dress and purse, and the little girl in Africa "Happy" who received the dress.
Her Aunt Niki went to Africa on a mission trip and was able to actually pick out the little girl who received the dress. My girl wanted it to be the saddest, poorest girl who received the dress.
To have a face and a name was purely a gift to us. We have been praying for precious Happy ever since, and I did not have dry eyes that night or Christmas morning as I said my prayers for her and her family.
It was a stark contrast: "Happy" with so little material things, and "Us" with so much more than we need, and yet just as lacking in some ways.
My girl declared that her favorite, and I will say, little can top the gift to giving of yourself.
We enjoyed family immensely, but my Granny got sick, and that really put a damper on her spirits after Christmas, as we began to sort through those all to familiar feelings of fear and concern around her health and living situation. We are so fortunate my parents live beside her and offer her care every day, despite the time and patience it requires, so that she can remain at home as she desires.
Last night we enjoyed a pre-New Year's Eve party with close friends. We played games, and the kids had a blast. It was a reminder of all the things I love about where I live and the dear friends I love so much! My kids were giddy they were so excited.
As I look to 2012, I have a lot of mixed feelings.
My hubby is starting a great, promising, new job in a a week. I just agreed to do a training in New York City (where I have never been) in a couple months. There are a lot of new changes already lined up for 2012, and we haven't even hit January 1, yet. Our calendar for January is already filling up.
Change can be a lot of fun. It can be exhilarating, good, and welcome.
But there is always a down side for me. Uncertainty is hard, even when change has lots of promise and has been prayerfully decided. I have lost a good bit of sleep over the last month of 2011.
Again, I am forced back to the one constant of this year and every year:
The love and care of my Savior. Grace. His provision. His constant presence, and the promise of His faithfulness and salvation.
I enter 2012 with a prayer for peace and a stomach a little unsettled, but I plan on experiencing joy, love, peace, provision, and friendship. When I look back on my life thus far, I see so many ways he has carried me through hurts, hopes, and fulfilled so many dreams.
I will turn 40. I will color my gray. I will run laps to lose fat. I will attend around a 100 soccer/cheerleading/school events. I will work. I will pray. I will grow.
I am thankful for where I have been, and hopeful for where He will lead me. (And a little unsettled).
Did I mention that? (I am pretty sure God is shaking his head at me again whispering "trust me, the one who made time can handle it").
2 comments:
Yep, the one who made you can take care of you! (And I do mean God!) Your needs have far outgrown anything I as your Mom could ever take care of....so I will just entrust each of you to the God who loves us ALL.
I'm happy for you, Gabby. And, as ever, I wish I had your faith and spiritual strength. I thought about doing a wrap-up of 2011 and a welcome of 2012. But, in truth, 2011 was suck-y rather than stellar, especially in the past few months. And I will be turning 40 in less than 2 months and really not looking forward to it. I can't get a handle on this whole "life" thing. I wish we lived closer, friend, and could stay in touch in-real-life. But I am thankful we can keep up with each other via blogs and FB.
I know you'll be working in NYC, but please promise to take your fancy new camera and get some photos to share with us.
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