2009

Well here we are!! On the very last day of the year. As I sit here, 31 weeks pregnant with our sweet baby boy, I can't help but think of all God has done in our lives this year. It has been a year of ups and downs, but all in all, it has been a year of God's greatness and blessings. Our Pastor said last week "Think about just one thing you are grateful for this year." I was overwhelmed when I realized that I am grateful for more than I could ever express.

It was one year ago today that we found out we were pregnant with our first baby! What a way to start 2009! Although we had no idea where the year would take us, we were thrilled and blessed. I had no idea that at that same time I had cancer growing deeper into my body and that 2009 would turn out to be a little different than I expected. God knew already what every day of this year would entail. He took our sweet baby back to Heaven so that I could be healed and then gave us the gift of another baby growing healthy and strong.

God brought us through a miscarriage, a cancer diagnosis, a cancer surgery and recovery and great report, a potential move, many house showings with no selling, a couple potential houses we almost bought, and a beautiful baby boy growing strong and healthy inside of me. WOW. If I have learned anything this year, it is that His plans are definitely far better than mine. In some ways it was a year with some anxiety, fear and apprehension. In the end, it turned out to be a year of blessing, provision and favor. God showed us favor in so many ways this past year. I sit here and see the big scar on my leg as a symbol of God's greatness. I see my big belly as a symbol of God's greatest love and miracles. I am grateful for Nathan's job and protection as he traveled across the country literally almost every week this past year. He traveled more miles this year than I did as Miss America!

What an amazing year it has been. I can honestly say it was one of the best years of my life. I have never been more grateful on December 31st for the incredible blessings I have. I have the two greatest things I could have hoped for: my health and the beautiful baby we have prayed for.

I have learned that each year may not turn out the way you expect. But in the end, if we learn to trust God, we will see how much better His plans are than our's. Thank you Father for the immeasurable blessings you have given to us this past year. I am closer to you now as I say thank you for allowing me to walk through the not - so - easy, just so I could see a glimpse of your greatness.

Happy New Year Everyone!!! I pray you are as blessed as we are. May we all continue to live our daily lives as an expression of gratitude to our Father for all He does and will do in the next year for us. After this year, I won't ever forget how very blessed I am.