It’s New Year’s Eve, 2009. Is it possible we are already a decade into the 2000’s? As I reflect on the blessings in my life this past year, I cannot help but think of you. Yes, you! Those who read this blog, support our ministries, and are using their gifts to grow His Kingdom at home, in the congregation, and in the community.
I took a rather long break since the last time I made an entry on my blog. The last two months I have been counting my blessings, praying for friends and family, and asking God to work through me and use me to share my passion for ministry to grow His world. I’m not sure what that looks like or where to turn sometimes, but I do know that if I just keep focused on caring about others, responding to your e-mails and phone calls, and listening to your ideas and insights that God works in amazing ways.
A few blessings to count this year:
1. Celebrating 30 years of marriage.
2. Visiting many congregations and having the opportunity to share what we learn together with others. And knowing we are all in the same boat and that’s NOT bad!
3. Learning how to text. With three adult sons, it’s been one of the greatest ways to stay in touch with them. They’d rather text than talk sometimes, give a one word response rather than talk for a few minutes, and text me just for the fun of it. Mothers of sons out there, you know this is a blessingJ!
Investing in a vacation home on a lake. We envision this as a great place for retreats and a place to enjoy family time with sons, friends, and grandsons. (Yes, it’s all boys for me!) We also envision this as a place to host small groups for church retreats. Our family has lived a very fast-paced life for the past 30 years including 10 moves, lots of traveling, and balancing family with work. We are thankful and praise God for this special blessing of a place and time to be there.
Being involved with ministry at Faith Inkubators, serving as a Learning and Youth Consultant at our church, being on the board of LACE (Lutheran Associations of Christian Educators), and serving as Chair of the Division for Congregational Life in our synod. Lots of hours, lots of learning, and plenty of opportunity to pray for and experience the bigger picture of our ministries together.
Bottom line, we’re heading into the New Year, 2010.
It’s a time
for reflection and a time for new beginnings. Have
you taken time to reflect on your blessings this year?
Speaking of reflections, here’s a little something that
really gets you thinking from Worship House Media. It’s called New Beginnings. You don’t have to buy it to watch it.
Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
Wishing you blessings in the New Year and looking forward to “new beginnings” !
