Goodbye to 2011 and Hello to 2012

It is hard to believe that 2011 is gone and the new year is here. Gil and I received many blessings in the past year and are prepared to go forward to receive more in 2012 as we strive to improve our health, and follow God's will in 2012.

In 2011 we were able to add a beautiful addition to our home which we enjoy very much each day. The family room added almost 500 sf to the home which gives us a great place for watching TV, working on the computer, playing games and entertaining. The new entrance to the nice laundry room that was completely remodeled is wonderful. It also gives us lots of storage in the house.

The new year will bring a visit from our children and grandchildren who live in China. They too will face new challenges this year as they move to a new province in February. Both Ed and Deb will teach classes in a highschool in Quzhou, a town of 2 1/2 million people. This will be a much warmer climate for them, less work for Ed, more money for the family and more time to venture out into the Chinese provinces to explore and see the area. It also means Suzanne will be staying with us once they visit this summer. She will continue high school studies with us (on line) and begin some college courses asap. She plans to take Vet Tech courses so she can work in a Veterinary clinic because she loves animals and hopes to make that a career. She has grown to be a lovely young lady and we are very proud of her.

Destiny is growing up so fast, talking and learning some Chinese words. It will be so great for her to actually see us in person and learn more about us when the family stays with us for a while. We have not held her since she was five mo. old and she is now 2 1/2 years old and will be almost 3 years old when she visits. We have watched her via skype as she learned to roll over, sit up, walk, run and talk; but actually seeing her in person, holding her, hugging her and walking and talking with her will be wonderful.

Gil and I are so thankful for the healing of our son Dan's legs as he is now able to walk without aid of braces or crutches. He has come a long way from that wheelchair that confined him after the accident in the summer of 2010. His own hard work and God's healing hand was what has brought him and his family through the dark times and now they see a brighter future. Praise God.

2012 will bring us a new great-grandchild in the spring as Rachael and Nate will have a baby in March or April. Emma is now 7 years old and will enjoy having a little brother or sister in the home. I know she will be very helpful to her mom. We wish them every happiness and good health for them all in the new year. Pat and James visited at Thanksgiving and brought Emma with them. It was great to see them. We pray blessing for them in the new year and hope to see Mitch this coming year.

So, as I reflect on the past year and the coming year, I will repost a quote from today's newspaper: Yesterday is in the past and tomorrow is in the future, but today is a gift - that is why it is called the 'present.' So we will go forth now and enjoy the gift of today, not looking back on yesterday's mistakes or concerned with what tomorrow brings, but trusting God to help us live in the present and in His will.