Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Happy New Year!




My first blogpost for 2011!  A whole new year of stories and pictures to look forward to.  

Wow...2010 was a great year.  Challenging?  Yes.  Frustrating at times?  You betcha!  However, it is through these challenging times that we grow closer to God.  As I review this past year in my mind I'm thankful to see God's hand leading and guiding us through good times and bad times.   We have been in the states for our furlough time since the end of July and will go back to Zambia in March.  It will be hard to go back as a family of 4 and not 5 as we have to leave our oldest son Zach here in the states so he can go to college.  I'm so thankful that just like God's mercies are new every morning they are also new in this new year.
What will 2011 hold?  I'm not sure, but I can guarantee it won't be easy or without obstacles.  But I do know the One who directs my path.  So I'm welcoming 2011 with excitement and anticipation, knowing that the best is yet to come.

This past weekend we had a reunion of missionaries that have served in Zambia over the last 10 years or so who happened to live close to Greer, SC.  I think this was a great way to start this new year.  As we met for fellowship this weekend we remembered the past and looked forward to the future in prayer for one another.  Some of these people I had not seen in 10 years so it was so much fun to reconnect.  This has been one of my highlights for this furlough!

Here is a group picture of everyone who was able to come.(Kevin and Suzie Rodgers,  Ricky and Niki Cook,  Helen and Les Neely, James and Cindy Strange, Alan and Jessie Parrish, Meredith Futral, and Paige Thompson Greer-and everyone's kids)
Here are all the mk's(back row- Paige, Catherine, Coby, Austin, Justin, Zach, Tyler, and Wesley. front row-Rebekah, Hannah, and Kelsey)