Today is the second day of January 2013. After all of the whirl of
holiday activities is behind us. It is nice to sit back for a few minutes and
take a breather before we attack the laundry, piles of dishes, etc.

When I look back on 2012, I wonder how we ever made it through it.
There were tragedies that we faced, difficulties on a daily basis, so it 
seemed. However, we survived it and are here to tell the story through
God's grace.

One lesson that God has been teaching me this past year is to trust
Him. That is much harder than it sounds. So many circumstances came
our way as a family and it seemed that our boat was about to sink. Then
the Master of the storm stepped on our behalf in marvelous ways, showing
Himself to be who He really is, The Awesome and Mighty God!

I am reminded of the passage in Mark when the disciples were in the 
boat with Jesus. They were scared silly, but they didn't need to be. Jesus
was right there with them. 

Mark 4:37-39

37.  And there arose a great storm of wind,
and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 
38.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep
on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, 
carest thou not that we perish? 
39.  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto
the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was
a great calm. 

We do not have to be afraid of anything in 2013. Jesus is in the
boat with us and He is saying, "Peace be still..."

Now there are some encouraging thoughts.

Donna