Well it's the middle of January now, almost time to celebrate Connor's 9th Birthday! Time can get away so quickly and before we know it our kids will be 19 and in college! I just want to remember our times together as a family before they start their own. I want to imprint on their lives the love of Christ and give them a foundation of faith and love and hope. This year I have some new goals for myself as well as our family to make these memories. When I went to write out my New Years Resolutions I came up with around 30. I suppose the list began to turn into a To Do list more than a resolution list unless you count resolving to do my "to do's" as a resolution. I also read the book of Ruth on the first of January and continued on to 1 Samuel. I was struck by Hannah's prayer in the 2nd Chapter of 1 Samuel. It rang out "New Years Prayer" to me. So I wrote it out in my journal and I'll write it out here.
Hannah's Prayer:
"My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deed's are weighed. The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's; upon them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."
It seems like a simple message to me that God know's what is best for me. He is in control over life and death and wealth and poverty. He will allow circumstances in my life to happen. This is His Earth. I am thankful to be considered one of his saints. Forgiven and entrusted with eternal life. Guarded. Thank you Lord for a New Year! Let me humbly allow you to carve the path of my life.
Cameron comparing his wing span to an eagle's
Chase loved the Koi fish.
On the train ride
Cameron surfing down the hill.
Connor had been climbing on a bar and fell down and knocked his head on the curb. OUCH! Chloe quickly snapped this picture.
Chase of course was really interested in the tortoises.
Chase and his friend Joshua Ostrove
