What a year 2012 has been. Those closest to us, who lived it with us, know that 2012 was a challenging one for Roy and I. Some challenges were too deep and private to list here. Only with God’s support and guidance did we not cave under the pressures that presented themselves in 2012. I want no one’s sympathy. It’s just what happened this year. We’ve addressed all the challenges as best we could. 
Our cherished family dog Nacho died this year, the wrong man was elected President, the Saints bombed and our country seems to be growing increasingly dark and turning away from God by leaps and bounds. Our staying here in Hammond isn’t going to change any of our personal challenges so we’ve made the decision to make 2013 and beyond years to look forward to.
This past year also brought about some exciting new developments. I’d much rather focus on these cool things than the ugly parts of 2012! We’ve received much love and support from family and friends this year. We learned many life lessons this year. Roy and I took a Computer Science course together at Southeastern Louisiana University and both made an A. We enjoyed the hours of studying together and walking to class holding hands! We took a fantastic Christmas trip to Disneyworld with our precious granddaughter Madisyn in our new home and we all made it back in one piece, even Dora. 
As a result of all the brain tests I found out that my IQ is extremely high which if you knew me you might be surprised to learn that. Also my eye surgeries resulted in my not needing contacts or reading glasses AT ALL!!! We’ve sold all of our household furniture. We thought that would be hard to do but it’s been fairly easy. We met some criminals in Texas and some wonderful policemen who got our money back! We found our home for the future, Dora the Explorer. 
The month of November was dedicated to naming things we are thankful for and I had way more than 30 days of big things to be thankful for. We were handed lemons this year and made lots of sweet tasting lemonade from it! We are a truly blessed couple and with God’s guidance are planning for a wonderful 2013 doing our best in all we do for His Glory and making ourselves open for wherever He leads us.
The scripture below makes it clear that Gods ways and plans for us are far higher than our plans so we MUST leave 2013 in his hands. Isaiah 55:8-9, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”
We plan to head west once we take to the road, seeing Texas one region at a time. We can’t really make too many plans now because the timing of our travels starting will determine what area of the country we head to. If it’s still cold we will stay in the south until the heat reaches our tolerance point! We have contacted the North Americans Mission Board to find about doing campground ministry. They’ve provided us some general information and as we get further into our traveling will be able to add more details to that plan. If this is what God wants us to do he will make a way for it to happen!
Our invitation hymn Sunday morning was especially meaningful to me. It’s what I strive for but fall short of many times. I’ve included the lyrics below in case you’ve never heard the song. It’s a perfect depiction of the life a Christian should live.
Living for Jesus, written in 1917 by Thomas Chisholm
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Happy New Years everyone!
BECAUSE HE LIVES 
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