What A Year!

As we think back on this past year, one word that immediately comes to mind is BLESSED. There are many other words that could also describe the year: transition, growth, trust, faith, and the list goes on. Thinking back on this time last year, we were in a cabin in West Virginia putting together a list of "Goals for 2011" and one of them was to start a blog with some of the "marriage moments" that we experience and grow closer to the Lord and each other through. We want to thank YOU for being so encouraging and supportive of us during our first blogging year! It's neat how the Lord takes something that started off as a simple thought and turns it into a story that He is using in more ways than we even know. From some of the texts, emails, Facebook messages we get when we post -- to the sweet friend that I met at a Christian camp growing up and had not seen in 5+ years who pulled over in her car when she spotted us at the Auburn vs. Alabama game this year to tell us what a blessing the blog is to her, God has used your encouraging words as just the right time to remind us that this blog is the Lord's...we are simply His vessels. 

Our hearts are full of JOY as we look forward to what the Lord has in store in us and through us in 2012. One of my pastors from growing up in Chattanooga was at the Christmas Eve dinner we attended the other night and he prayed that we could each experience "peace with God and the confidence that comes from knowing we will be spending eternal life with Him"...not merely just having a "Happy New Year". I loved that word picture. We pray that you, too, would have a year full of confidence knowing that you will be spending eternal life with Jesus Christ...no matter what your 2012 looks like. 

May we always remember that Psalm 46:1-3 says: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." 

Blessings to you as you reflect what the Lord has done in 2011 and as you anticipate what He is going to do in 2012! Thankful for you!!! In His Grip, Whitney & Brandon