Another year is in the books. An inventory tells me...
It was a very good year. We live part time in the Valley and part time in Michigan. It's the best of both worlds. We miss the summer heat, we spend lots of quality time with our kids and grandkids in Michigan and then we get to come back to Arizona where we have quality time with our son and his family and escape the worst of summer here (and the summer here was the worst).
I got to serve Christ the Redeemer from October to April each Sunday. And I was able to teach a Bible class every Thursday (during the same period) at Church of the Master. During the summer I was able to assist several congregations either without a pastor or sub for a pastor on vacation.
My dear, sweet wife continued her ministry as serving as Parish Nurse for Life in Christ and also working with the Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS. God uses her to touch the lives of many.
We reconnected with old friends and made some new ones.
We rejoiced in God's promises to forgive, to be present in our lives, to be assured that no matter what we face He will never leave us nor forsake us.
We give thanks for sins forgiven, the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the hope of eternal life.
We marvel in the blessings we've received this year and for the promise that He can do for us more than we can think or imagine.
We know that our times are in His hands. So, in spite of the uncertainty of what 2025 will bring, we are God's children, dearly loved. He is our refuge and strength. He loves us and gave us His one and only Son.
As we say goodbye to 2024, thank you, Lord God!
