HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I can hardly believe another year has come and gone. As I think back over this past year, there is so much to be thankful for in our family. There have been some very big challenges, but as God has promised, He was with us every step of the way. Perhaps things haven't gone how we might have chosen, but as Rick Warren has said: "It's not about me, it's about God".

My family accuses me of saving everything from years ago, it's true! I ran across a list of seven suggestions that I'm sharing with you as you go into 2008.

1. NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT YOU PERMIT.
2. THE PROBLEM THAT INFURIATES YOU THE MOST IS THE PROBLEM GOD HAS ASSIGNED YOU.
3. THOSE WHO UNLOCK YOUR COMPASSION ARE THOSE TO WHO YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED.
4. THE SECRET OF YOUR FUTURE IS HIDDEN IN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE. (do something you hate to create something you love)
5. WHAT YOU MAKE HAPPEN FOR OTHERS GOD WILL MAKE HAPPEN FOR YOU.
6. YOUR WORTH IS DETERMINED BY THE KINDS OF PROBLEMS YOU SOLVE. (Problems are the key to your significance...people who are failures aren't solving anybody's problems. You never miss an employee who didn't solve problems).
7. WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER HAD, YOU'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER DONE.

Dear Heavenly Father:

As I look forward to what you have assigned for me in 2008, I ask you for wisdom, guidance and a positive attitude. I pray that I will always put you first, seek your will, and be an example for those around me. I need your Holy Spirit to lead, direct and guide in all I do. Thank you for family and friends who stand with me in love, support and prayer.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen

To all of you people whom I do not know I have enjoyed reading your testimonies so much in EE. I think of the gal that went to her Pastor when her marriage was really down the tube (so she thought) and God just really ministered to her husband in such a mighty way. It took me back 55 years to Bob and My beginning which was not all that great. We both brought baggage to the marriage but I have to tell you if we wives are faithful to God, God can do wonders in in our marriages. Seems to fall on the Woman to have the strength to persevere. Bob and I both look at each other and verbally say "where would I be today without you." Bob is such a man of God. I just feel so blest but it was a lot of work. But you know, we have to do what God asks of us. I know that God wanted me to be in this marriage but I just did not know what a high calling it was going to be to be Bob's wife, a mother to his children, and a grandmother to his grandchildren and now we have one Great Granddaughter. All I can say as I look back that God has been so faithful and the great part is I do not have to look back any more I just strive for more of what God has for me in my life in the future.

Rhonda, you are a real trooper. Your faith is unbelievable. Yes, we all try to raise our children to rise to our needs whatever they are. You have definitely done that. I experience that with our children also. I give them space (we had a son and daughter) but if there is a need they really rise to the occasion. When Bob is out of town, like now for several days, our son stops in each day to see if I have any needs. When God does surgery on your heart, as he did for me, and takes out all the crude and dumps in a bunch of love that is the greatest feeling of all. Love is the winner in all cases. Just a few little helps that I have used in my life are as follows:

"Always be loyal to what you discern when you are in closest contact with God."
"Take my heart and form it - Take my mind and transform it - take my will and conform it, to yours Oh Lord."
"I like to keep a dandelion growing in the driveway because it always reminds me that as deep as that dandelion root is and how difficult it is to remove or kill that is the depth of the faithfulness and love that I should have for the Lord that it can never be killed. In closing Revelations 3:5 - Everyone who conquers will be clothed in white, and I will not erase his name from the book of life, but I will announce before my Father and his Angels, that he is mine. How is that for a great promise to hold onto. Now to all who reads this "blessings abundantly, love endlessly and pray unceasingly."

Arlene

Hi Girls:

I'm been following Rhonda in her fighting cancer over the past year. She sent me her latest update last week. Many of you are going through circumstances that seem impossible, but may your faith arise as you read Rhonda's testimony:

Hello,

I wanted to update you and let you know that I came through surgery on Nov. 21st just fine. The surgery lasted 3 1/2 hours and I slept like a baby right through it (thank God for great anesthesiologists)! I was in recovery for 5 1/2 hours and then was released to go home that same evening. I pretty much slept the following 3 days straight, but did wake up long enough to enjoy a yummy Thanksgiving meal that my mom prepared for me. I had Josh and Brooke home from college for a few days and they took good care of me. Brooke sat her alarm every 4 hours around the clock to give me my meds. It is times like these that I have confirmation that I did well in raising my kids. I know that we all question our skill sets in that area from time to time, asking ourselves, am I being a good example? Was I too harsh in my discipline or too lenient? I've spent a lot of time on my knees giving my kids over to God through the years and I guess as a parent that will never end. Physically, I'm feeling better each and everyday. I will be able to return to work on Monday.

Rhonda

May each of you look forward to the Christmas Season as our minds go back to the wonderful gift God gave to the world in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Love, Sharon