Welcome 2012!

I welcome you, 2012, with open arms and high hopes.

I sadly say good-bye to old 2011. It is a sad good-bye because it was such a difficult year for my family, my nation and my world.

Healing of some things I had fervently prayed for did not heal, at least in the way I had hoped. The answer was endings. God does not always say "Yes." Someday, perhaps, I will know the full reason for the "No" answer. I have a partial answer. I am on a path of Love, of gentleness, of giving, of serving, of reaching out, of compassion, of endeavoring to awaken spiritually. I am more focused on the New Testament than the Old. I strive to discover the 1st century, the original intentions, the before theology and control set in. I am more in the vein of seeking to be Christed, The Imitation of Christ, the Christ within expressing. The one for whom I prayed so deeply is on a more harsh path, a more Onward Christian Soldiers path, a more Old Testament, more hard sayings of Jesus. More listening to recent teachings that have been added in the past 100 years or so. We can not see eye to eye. Perhaps our souls require these different paths for growth and completing our purposes for being here on earth. It has been with tears, heart-break and deep prayer that I move closer and closer to release, to letting go of my wishes and accepting the way it is.

At the same time, 2011 saw some astounding physical challenges and healings. As for me, I was diagnosed with a variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, GBS, and went through numbness, pain, difficulty walking, etc. Then it turned around, and it is about 85% gone, although there are days it is more difficult than others. My son in law read that Turmeric helped numbness, my doctor said try it. It and prayer worked. My doctor said I am a miracle. Then I had elevated aldosterone - the 1st patient in 28 years of practice that my doctor had seen. Fortunately it is not caused by the usual suspect, tumor, so can be controlled by medication. So far so good health wise.

There were other deep and difficult challenges in 2011 too, but enough of that.

2011 also saw some wonderful things at home, in family, in the quilt guild and at church. I am glowingly thankful for these mighty blessings that honored my life.

It is, nevertheless, a relief for that year to be over. Of course, I don't know what will unfold in 2012, but I have a feeling, a sense, maybe just a hope, that it will be a really good year. I could use a really good year.

Lord, I give thanks for Your help in navigating 2011, leading me through the valleys. I give thanks that You have led me to 2012 and will walk it with me. I listen for Your guidance. I promise to do the best I can to follow You. Here I am Lord.