2011 . ten month review

i recently wrote down all  that the Lord  has done just in 2011. i was overwhelmed to say the least.

this year has been an exceptional year of growth and change for us. matthew described 2011 as the best year of his life.

i just might agree.

there is one common theme i saw as i was writing down the events of the year. we were constantly on our knees. we have found ourselves in this same position before Him more often than not. it's where i want to stay. forever. things make sense there.

in all of the the time we've spent there, the Lord has been very clear with us individually on so many levels. and in turn, He has been clear with us together. for our family and our ministry. though those things are separate, they are very much intertwined.

Jesus says, "let the little children come to me." that has taken shape and form in our lives this year in a tangible way.

i can understand dependence. i've got three little ones that are extremely dependent upon me. one who depends on me for sustenance even. what a perfect, in my face, picture of my calling to Himself. He is drawing us closer to that each day and making it even clearer that we can't do it without Him. not one little thing.

there have been days that during nap time, i find myself lying on the floor crying out to Him for strength, for endurance. for clarity on my next move in our day. it sounds dramatic and maybe sometimes it is but in those moments, when i make less of myself and more of Him, is when it all seems to come together.

 the details will be stored in our family journal for our children to look back on and praise Him for His goodness. it's just so obvious only He could orchestrate our circumstances. and that He is the author of our lives. and we want to remember it all. hindsight is always 20/20.

He has given us strength in our circumstances, put food on our table, diapers on our babies, given us an incredible vision for our future, poured truth in to our hearts, given us a means to exercise, a van to drive, boys to raise, wisdom to teach and love, perspective, clarity of mind and heart and purpose. He has expanded our faith, refined our view of our finances, called us to wait and obey. He has provided, sustained, and shown us grace in ways we never could have imagined in 2011.

and we still have two months left.

i can assure you i will remain on my knees