Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  Welcome 2013!  It has been five months since I blogged.  The gap was due to an extremely intense semester at Talbot School of Theology, where I took on an additional class on top of a full load, by arranged study so as to be able to graduate in December of 2012.  A few weeks into the semester we found out that Natalie and Brian would be getting married in June of 2013, and Amber and Derek would be having a baby in April of 2013, and for me to be in class, having homework etc. was just not going to be the best thing.  It made for long, long days and weeks, but it was a wonderful semester experiencing and learning about living empowered by, and trusting in God, rather than being fueled by anxiety, and living in my own strength.  I have always been hardheaded and strong willed, so it usually takes extreme measures for God to teaching me life lessons, this semester was no exception.  It is only through God's grace that I was able to make it, it seemed impossible, and would have been on my own.  I stand amazed by all God did in and through me, and am so very thankful.  I graduated on December 21, 2012.  It was a time of great celebration with Phil flying my dad and brother, Stephen in to surprise me; my college roomie and dear friend Wendy Batz, flying down from the Bay area, friends from Ecuador, Clines and Stephanie, friends from Arrowhead days, Gail Russell, Lopez's, and Jim and Linda Underwood, friends from ISF--Blair, Janice, Cindy, Mark and Donna Vaughn and Marla, a special prof who has mentored and really poured into me--Dr. Judy TenElshof,  friends from Simi Valley--Parkinsons, new friends from church--the Bensons, family, kids and spouses and their friends all joined in throwing a party for me to celebrate this huge landmark in my life!  I now have a Master's in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, and what the bottom line is with that?  I am more convinced than ever that my life is hidden with Christ, and In Christ alone is my hope, my identity, and in His love I have life and that very abundantly.   I was richly blessed by my family throwing me such an extravagant party to celebrate and make much of this mile marker with me.  I will post pictures once I get them collected from iphones and onto my computer!  I have basqued in the outpouring of love from family and friends, and find myself stopping to say thank you to God over and over.  It is with a sense of awe and gratitude to God for all that He has done over these last 2 1/2 years that I am starting 2013.  Thank you to each of you who have prayed for me from afar or from close by.  For those who have patiently waited for me to complete this program and done without homecooked food--Phil, my wonderful husband who has sacrificed so much for this dream to become reality--Thank you from the bottom of my heart.