So a New Year Begins...

Yes, I am still here. And yes, I have failed at blogging so far, as I have only written one post.
But today is New Year's Eve, so I figured I should write one more time before the end of the year.

To sum up my year with one word--CHAOTIC.
If someone had told me a year ago that I would be where I am today, I would have rolled my eyes and/or laughed. Just six months ago I was living in Mississippi, contently living my comfortable life. Change was a word that did not enter my mind--but of course it came anyway. My happy life was shattered, and it only took four words: "They're closing my office."
Suddenly, the future was cloudy. Everything began to pile up: my dad lost his job, we couldn't afford our house anymore, we'd have to move, we have 3 college tuitions to pay, and so on.
Of course, as the saying goes: when it rains, it pours.
Our beloved dog of 12 years died of kidney disease in September.
OH, and my car wreck in December was the perfect way to cap off such a wonderful semester.

It would be easy for me to sit here and feel sorry for my family, to let despair creep its way in.
But if I let that happen, I would be ignoring the most important thing in my life: GOD.
I found a song this semester that is so inspiring:
"Out of these ashes, beauty will rise
And we will dance among the ruins, we will see with our own eyes"
Steven Curtis Chapman, thanks for that.

As I look back at the year, I feel like dancing. God has been there through it all, and His Hand is evident. He gave us a wonderful new house here in Birmingham, in the city that my parents felt called to. My brother has never been happier at his new school. The six of us have grown even closer as a family.
God has taken care of every little thing, and all of the pieces have fallen into place except one: my dad's job.
But I know that God has something wonderful planned for my dad. It is the final puzzle piece, and we know that it is coming.

God reminded me of His love on the worst night of the year for me--the night I had my wreck. I was feeling horrible. My tears had dried, and I was wrapping myself up in pity clothes, ready to retire to my bed for a night of feeling sorry for myself.
However, when I looked out the window I saw a rare sight: it was snowing. It was actually snowing, in DECEMBER, in MISSISSIPPI.
My friends and I soon found ourselves walking through what seemed like a scene from a fairytale. The snow draped the surface of our campus, clinging to rose bushes and christmas lights, casting an ethereal glow.
In that moment, I felt the most overwhelming feeling of peace. The worry, the stress, the guilt seemed insignificant in the face of the beauty I was being treated to.
I know that God was using that snow to remind me of His Love. I could hear His voice whispering "I'm still here..."

So as this new year dawns, I am going to cling to that feeling. Even though I don't know what the future holds or where I'll be in one year, I am absolutely certain of one thing: God will be there with me, every step of the way.

:)