2009 and the Family

As I read an email from Tom Minnery, Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy at Focus on the Family entitled "2010, Standing For the Family...with your help" I was saddened by the first paragraph that read:

• As I wrote to you a short time ago, 2009 will go down in history as ushering in the most damaging policies for families that we've ever seen in our lifetimes. Our president and Congress initiated an agenda of "change" that included pro-abortion, pro-gay policies, anti-faith and anti-family legislation and appointments. We have faced the ongoing attempts to include abortion funding in government-run health care. But despite all this, Focus on the Family® has continued to protect the institution of the family.

At the same time I was once again thankful for Focus on the Family and FamilyLife, two large para church organizations that support Christian family values in America. I pray now that as we follow in their footsteps to set out and start a Faith Based Non Profit Marriage Ministry, SOS Marriage Care, that we will continue to encourage marriage and families to be all God intended them to be.

Humbled by the work of Focus on the Family and FamilyLife and humbled that God is using us as well. Mind you, not in comparison to their large endeavor and organization, just as encouraged by them via their ministry to us.

The end of 2009, ready for 2010!

Today I look back at 2009 thinking what did I learn from the Lord this past year. I love to put down a key reference point of what God has taught me, many times through trial, for each year I've been a Christian.

As I ponder from 2008 when God showed me many times over how to CARE for people at a very different humble level. That year I helped my dear 81 year old neighbor, Alice, literally wash the hair off her head after he first rounds of chemo in early 2008 to watch the vibrant independent woman she was gracefully pass away October 30th of 2008, just 8 months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

And to the helping of 10 couples in 2008 break strongholds in their life that was destroying intimacy in their marriages, spiritually, emotionally and physically. All of these experiences in 2008 helped me see why God wants us, his people, caring for the needs of others. The physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others. I thank God for that year of learning how to CARE.

But now looking back to 2009 I'm putting together my thoughts as to what God has shown me for this year. Something that truly stands out above all previous learning.

We can see his hand in working us out of full time employment and into full time ministry...someday sooner than our plan would have been. We again worked with 10 new crisis or semi-crisis couples in 2009. We can see his hand in our lives on the down hill slope, as my husband Roger and I turned 50 together in early 2009. The kids even threw us a "100th" Surprise Birthday Party to celebrate! We love parties.

What comes to mind is: Christ with ME. Based on my study from the end of the year, I think I can say I've truly learned how to take Christ into every area of my life.

Immanuel ~ God is with me.

I then read this scripture and poem known as St Patrick's Breastplate:

Psalm139:7-10
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presences?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:11-12

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

Famous Fourth-Century prayer known as:

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, King of my heart;
Christ be within me, Christ be below me,
Christ be above me, never to part.

Christ on my right hand,
Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me, shield in the strife;
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising, light of my life.

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,
Christ be behind me, King of my heart;
Christ be within me, Christ be below me,
Christ be above me, never to part.

Today, I thank God for never leaving me.

I've listed the years I've kept track of for you to encourage you to ponder what the Lord has taught you these past years. I look it as a way to LEARN and not have to be taught the same thing through MORE trials let alone errors.

1990 Success the World’s Way
1991 Success My Way
1992 Drifting Marriage
1993 PRAYER, How to’s and why to’s
One baby to heaven
1994 Forgiveness
1995 Breaking Strongholds
Forgiveness Level Two
Baby Two to heaven
The Blessing of Children
1996 Beginning of on purpose “Lay Ministry”
1997 OBEDIENCE
Retirement of 20-year Business career
1998 Abraham’s FAITH
Money is the Lord’s
Wedding Covenant
Jessica & Ty get married!
1999 Letting Go to God, Children, finances
My first LOVE, God, Jesus & HS
2000 Legalism vs. Grace
Discipling my children
Starting Home School
Jacob Roger Hickok born - 1st grandson!
2001 WORSHIP – Corporately and Personally
2002 HUMILITY, to be like Christ
2003 PEACE
Collin Vincent Hickok ~ 2nd Grandson born!
2004 JOY
2005 Knowledge vs. God’s Word
2006 The Authority of the church & it’s leaders
Submitting to Authority
2007 Nothing happens to us that is not FILTERED THROUGH OUR FATHER’s
HANDS
Kurt & Kayla get Married!
Easton Dale Friesen ~ 3rd Grandson Born!
2008 How to CARE about people
2009 Christ with me.
Sadie & Ethan get married!