Remembering 2008

As we look back over the past year, one thing is evident-- God is good all the time. We have laughed, cried, grown, changed, learned, lost, and loved; and, all the while, He has stayed the same, He does not change (James 1:17). We have celebrated several milestones this year, including: first steps, a first birthday, the birth of a new cousin, a one year house-i-versary, learning to read, Grandma's 60th birthday, our church's 2 year anniversary, seven years of marriage, and turning 30. There have been moments of sorrow as well . . . two months ago I experienced a miscarriage. We have stories to tell-- how Madeline was too sick to eat any of her first birthday cake, we fed a giraffe at the Jacksonville zoo, or how we were up until 1:30 a.m. putting together/rigging Madeline's Big Wheel for Christmas (there was a missing part), only to find out in that it was way too big for her. Though circumstances change and things don't always go the way we would desire, we can experience both joy and peace as we rest in the assurance that He (in His sovereignty) is working all things together for our eternal good if we love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). So as we look back over this past year, it is with gratitude that we give our Heavenly Father glory for what He has done, and is doing in our lives, and for His undeserving grace in sending His Son. Here is a glimpse at some of our special memories from 2008: