Welcome 2013!

I enter 2013 with emotions that are somewhat mixed. First and foremost, I am so very thankful to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon my family and me. We are doing well. We have our health, we are gainfully employed, and we have each other. The three people with whom I share my life are more important and dear to me than I have the ability to express in words.

I enter 2013 with a strong feeling of optimism for my family. We have much to look forward to, God willing. We’ll begin visiting colleges with Olivia as she contemplates the next phase of her life after graduating high school next year. Olivia continues to work hard through the audition process with the Crossmen drum corps. We’re cheering her on! Keith continues to focus on meteorology, as he has for the past several years. That means our college visit list for him will likely be quite a bit shorter – we may have a future Sooner in the house! Keith enjoyed his first year of marching band and continues to grow up into a fine young man. I am very proud of both of my kids.

DeLisa is truly a gift from God. A terrific wife and mother, she holds this troupe of four together while working full time educating a room full of first graders and caring for ailing extended family members. She sets a fine example of love and selflessness, and I'm thankful that God deemed me worthy of her partnership.

I enter 2013 with trepidation for our country. We have been lulled to sleep, and we seemingly doze peacefully as our government continues to lead us down the road to economic collapse. Barring significant changes, I believe our economy will fail us – possibly sooner rather than later. We simply cannot continue to spend money we don’t have while looking at those most successful among us as the perpetrators of our economic woes and as the source of resolution through draconian tax measures. Sadly, our government has opened the New Year bound and determined to continue down this path. Serious changes are needed – quickly. I resolve in 2013 to become part of the process instead of sitting on the sidelines with an attitude of lament.

With that said, I sit here this afternoon quite content with my lot. I look to my Savior, who is the Source of all that I am and all that I have and I am so very thankful. He is the Author of Life and the Source of immeasurable peace.  So as I enter the New Year with mixed emotions, I do not worry; for my life is in His hands. What a blessing that is!

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel
 Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,
 Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
 He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
 From this time forth, and even forevermore.”

~ Psalm 121