After the news of the tragic loss at Sandy Hook, I felt the need to get away from the Internet and spend more time with my family. The year 2012 brought us a lot of changes and heartache, but it also blessed us with incredible grace and freedom. Our family wrestled with what clergy say is a ‘judgment from God’ while others pointed to Christ and inspired us to have faith and love our enemies. I had days of victory and days of weakness. Loving enemies isn’t always easy to do, but often carries the greatest growth and blessing.
In the spirit of gratitude for this last year, I want to share ten highlights from 2012.
In the beginning of 2012…
We got to move back to Southern California.I faced death through the cross and saw myself as Father sees me.
I got to go back to school at USC for some excellent classes to learn more about professional ministry and civic engagement.
I wondered if there was room at the banquet table.
I asked about getting unwrapped.
I had to have a heart to heart talk with my daughter after she frantically asked, “Mommy, am I going to die?”
I opened the conversation about parenting teenagers.
I wondered if God’s calling is more about grace than what happens after this life.
I gave a tip on what happens when you out yourself out there.
And I closed my Facebook account for a couple of months (but just this week reactivated it).
Some portions of 2012 were incredibly difficult, but I learned from everything that crossed my path. I can’t say that I handled everything with grace or even in faith, but I’ve pondered the many life changing events that we faced and hope to be able to glean from it all and apply my life lessons in 2013.
Thank you all for your friendship and support this year and I look forward to another year with the online community.
May 2013 be a year of common sense, peace, and grace as we learn to love others with the love of God.
And finally, here are some photos from 2012
Happy New Year! I pray that God pours out His blessings on you this year in ways you could never imagine.
Dear Sister Lisa: I hope that you have a great year 2013. Be blessed always.
Happy New Year! I hope 2013 is filled with lessons and blessings from above. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Take care!
Your photos are gorgeous! Happy new Year!
Happy New Year! The sea is gorgeous!