saying goodbye to 2013.

I won't lie...I cannot wait to wish 2013 farewell. This year has been miserable terrible awful rough. At Thanksgiving a few weeks ago we went around the table and said things we were thankful for. This year, I said I was thankful to leave 2013 behind. And I meant it...and I still do. 2013 was filled with heartache, heartbreak, trials, tribulations, tears, more tears, and disappointment over and over again. It was filled with emotional, spiritual, and financial struggles. Coy and I battled through difficult situations and difficult decisions. Our marriage faced some tough things. And this past year I dealt with loss in a numerous ways.

Yet, as much as a I cannot wait to start a new year and leave the old behind, I also must stop and give 2013 the credit it deserves. Despite the trials and despite the tears I was blessed. Despite all of the disappointments (which sometimes felt like they happened over and over again) I can look back and see many miracles and see God's hand in so many things that took place.

Although certain circumstances have not changed we have been blessed time and time again. Today, while I wrapped Christmas presents for all nineteen of our family members, I couldn't help but take a moment and weep. No, we still don't have a baby and no, Coy still does not have full time employment but despite this, I have so many reasons for joy. Despite over seven months of unemployment we have never been unable to pay our bills. We have even been able to pay for a broken furnace, a vacation to Florida, and gifts for all of those family members listed above. We have drained our savings and we don't have much...but we have always had just enough. I am joyful because God has provided time and time again. Despite a tough year...I have a husband whom I love, family whom I love, friends whom I love, a job, a home, a car, and food on the table each night.

Although a great deal of tears fell over the course of the year I must also remember all of the laughs I had. So while all of these blessings do not take away the fact that I am thankful to say goodbye to 2013...I am oh, so thankful for God's faithfulness and provision.

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing.

Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland"

Isaiah 43:18, 19