I Samuel 7:12, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
I read this verse this morning in my morning devos and have been thinking about it ever since. And since today is the last day of 2009, I thought I'd cap the year with one last blog. For those of you who read this blog, I also manage other one for our church called "Imagine Christmas". I have to leave this blog to keep that one up as it supports the Worship Ministry's Christmas program each year. So, it might look like I've been a lazy girl in the blogging world, but no sir. Just blogging over there for the church. But I just couldn't roll into 2010 without looking back on all that God has done in '09 and saying "Thank you, Lord." Let's recap...The year started off with much promise, as all years seem to do. At first we thought that '09 might bring seminary to a close in our lives, but that soon changed very close to the beginning of 2009. Three semesters to finish. Oh well...at least Bradley was enjoying his classes in MACE. I so enjoyed seeing his zeal for school change when he changed over to this course of studies. It was like a new fire was ignited in him. We could handle waiting to graduate in 2010. And look, now that it is only 5 months away. Trust me, we are counting the days until May 6th. Put that on your calendar.
The Spring was interesting. I think that is the only word that the Lord will allow me to use. Bradley was suppposed to go to Africa, but I just couldn't get a peace about it. I seriously lost sleep over him leaving for this trip. That had never happened before. So, I just began to pray that God would wrap me in peace or speak to him about a change of plans. And the Lord did just that. Bradley realized that he shouldn't go, which allowed his assistant to go in his place. Lori was so blessed and we soon realized why Bradley should have been here and not there. All I can say about the Spring is that it changed many things for the Thomas family. We took to our knees and found a way to praise through the storm. It was a personal and very private storm for Bradley and I. The Lord brought us closer together and closer to Him as well. But things changed. Trusting that nothing passes to us that does not come through the hand of the Lord first, we journeyed on into summer just holding on.
Summer brought some healing and a calmer time. The Lord's hand is ever faithful. Our ministries grew and we just kept keeping on. I found myself really just waking up each day, looking to the Lord for strength for that day...and kept on walking. The Lord really began to teach me a lesson in the summer months. How to "be still and know that I am God" while "runnning the race set before us". They just weren't meshing in my mind, body and soul. But when we are weak, He is strong. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS! So this is what I would do. "Being still and waiting, while running the race". Guess what, still doing it. And we got the WADES! Yes another piece of home, here in TEXAS! We so loved having Aaron, Rebekah, Evie and Abel stay with us for a while. And getting to do ministry with Aaron again has been such a bright spot in the middle of the year '09.
Fall brought busy"ness". I still can't believe it, but Bailey started middle school at HMS! Brody is a fourth grader and all by himself at Bear Creek Elementary. Brody also started his 2nd year of tackle football. He grew so much over the summer that his coaches were very excited to have him back. Go Bengals! And Bailey was starting her 2nd year of Senior League cheerleading with me as her coach. We set high expectations for her squad since they were all returning to a 2nd year. I do love football and cheerleading season, so this was a really good thing for me. And both the Patriots and the Bengals had very successful seasons, although it felt like we played every game in the rain! We've never had so much rain in Texas. And at church, we began making plans for Christmas, which is my favorite ministry time of the year. Imagine Christmas would make another appearance, but this time would journey all the way back to the beginning of time to see the real reason why Jesus had to come as a baby. Sin entered the world! Much to do and stay busy with. And all of this went well and fast. Before we knew it, Brody's Bengals were regular season champs! They headed into the playoffs with very high hopes. And the Patriots made the playoffs only to lose the 1st game. But the cheerleaders had their big showcase day at Pennington Field. Which is where we found out that the Patriot cheerleaders won the Senior League Cheer Championship! Yes, that was our goal! And my peers honored me with another Coach of the Year Award, so we feel our cheer season was very successful! And the Bengals went all the way to the Consolation Bowl and finished 3rd in the league for the 2nd year in a row. And Brody was a captain for that game and got to call the coin toss! How cool was that!
Fall also brought some other news that was a secret for a while. It appeared as if the Lord was moving Robert and Angie to a new ministry. How exciting to watch God work in their lives in such a particular and clear way! The Thomas family could not be more excited for them. But as the days neared to the news being known and then the actual leaving...it meant that I'd be losing my boss and our friends. You have to know the whole story, but they were MY gift for obeying. The journey to Texas was harder for me. Bradley had a new thing but I had to say goodbye to a very full and effective ministry in Tennessee. And that doesn't even speak of leaving all our family. So the Elkins were my gift. I told Angie that she and Robert and kids would have to be just that...our family. We've known each other since we were 9 years old. We started going to the same school when we were in the 5th grade. In my memories, she's always been there. So that was a HUGE blessing for our obedience to come to Texas to be in the center of God's will. And now, they would be leaving. Saying "goodbye" to having your best friends there, just around the corner, was harder than expected. I can definitely tell you that I prefer to be the leaver than the one being left. And all of this wrapped into Christmas made for an interesting holiday. But who can be sad when you can see the hand of the Lord so clearly? Well, maybe we can be for a little while....
So, here I sit on the eve of 2010. I know Bradley will graduate in this new year. And God has already showed us His favor for school and finances. Thank you Jesus! And I know we'll be living in Texas without the Elkins. And I'm praying that the search for a new Worship Pastor is quick and easy for First Baptist Euless. But the rest, is totally up to God. I'm praying that the Thomas family will clearly see the hand of the Lord in our lives this year. I'm praying that my children will begin to develop a closer relationship with Christ. I'm praying that our home will be blessing to our friends and colleagues this year. I'm praying that my love for Bradley will just grow deeper and stronger. I'm praying that our families will see God's richest blessings in their lives this year. I'm praying that my walk with my Abba is deeper and fuller. I'm praying that the healing that started in 2009 will continue to take place in 2010, in me. I'm going to be intentional to praise Him first, even if I have to feel it later. I'm raising my hand in praise to the One who called us, set us apart, lives in us, guides us, protects us, never leaves us. "Thus far the Lord has helped us." He's not about to stop now. 2010, here we come with God leading the way.
Thank you for taking a journey through '09. Hang on for the ride with "Designed to Create" in 2010. Blessings to you and Happy New Year!
