It’s unbelievable how quickly this year has passed. On the last day of the year, I can say the Lord has been merciful. He has been gracious. He has shown favor to His servant. I am so thankful that the Lord is faithful.

This year has seen tremendous change and exciting travels. I can’t believe my daughter and I moved back into the city. I went through two jobs. My husband retired from his job of 33 years. We took a road trip to D.C., New York City, to the NC lighthouses, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville N.C., the Grand Canyon, the west coast, down to the Santa Monica Pier, up to the Redwoods, Yellowstone, White Sands, and so many other beautiful attractions. We even took a Whale Watching Tour in Seattle. It was an unbelievable experience! The camera lens could not capture the beauty our eyes beheld. My husband and I also renovated my old townhouse. It was one adventure after the other.

In 2018, the year of God’s favor I can reflect back and see the goodness of the Lord. This was the year of restoration. He has put this joy in my heart that cannot be quenched. There is a song in my heart that was never there before. After 20 years, the Lord had fulfilled His promise to restore everything the enemy had stolen. I am still in awe of how the Lord worked in my life to bring me to a place full of grace. The Lord not only blessed me, but He blessed my household. My daughters finally experienced the love of a father.

So to end the year, my youngest daughter elected to have a gastric bypass. She’s had problems with her weight since being diagnosed with Chiari Malformation in 2103. She had surgery to correct the malformation, but afterward had to take various meds to deal with HPB, leaking brain fluid and other ailments. She’s been a mess. This year she decided to have the surgery to help with the weight. When she gets that under control it should help with the other ailments. She will be in the hospital for a couple of days. She was able to take FMLA to recover and adjust to her new lifestyle. My husband and I are bringing in the New Year at the hospital, along with my daughter’s 5 y/o son and her oldest sister and fiancé. I did not want her to be alone on New Years Eve.

So as I say goodbye to another year I sit and reflect on all the Lord has brought me through. I remember the Diary of Christian Woman, a book I published in 2014. It was a collection of journals where I recorded my struggles through the years after my divorce. I can read it now and see how the Lord was teaching. I can see His mercy and abounding grace on every page.

I can look over at my husband, a man I fell in love with more than 30 years ago. I am awed at how the Lord orchestrated our reunion after so many years. I am in awe at his quiet and gentle spirit, so full of grace. He survived years of struggles without losing his compassion for others, without becoming resentful or bitter. God bless him.

So I wish everyone out there a happy and prosperous and very blessed New Year. I also pray for a year full of God’s goodness to share with others.

Be blessed! & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!