In the last couple of years, I have made it a habit to take much of January to ponder on things I want to accomplish this next year. I did a fair job with last year’s intentions. But for many reasons this year is different.

Instead of focusing on the goals that I want to accomplish for me personally or for my family in 2013, my heart has wanted to glance back on what happened in 2012, and the old things that have already come to pass. And with each memory of each event that comes to mind, I find myself pausing to praise God for all that He has done and the privilege of seeing His activity in my life. {Good or bad, so many things that I didn’t recognize His hand being apart of it all until now.}

For my family and I, last year was full of heartaches and joys, ups and downs, good times and bad. I can look in the rear view mirror over the past year, and I can recall all the details, all the hardships, and all the tears. I remember all the specific situations, new adventures, and new friendships made.

Remembering those specifics is a way that Jesus keeps me close to Him.

However; what I really see more than anything…is God.

I see God’s provision, kept promises, blessing, comfort and love.

I see how He used several difficult and painful circumstances to bring my husband and I to a new closeness in our marriage, and to God. I see how God brought us to a new level in the way that we trust Him, even when circumstances looked hopeless or even out of control. I see how God provided for our physical and financial needs in miraculous and holy ordained ways.

I see how God’s timing in my circumstances was perfect on so many levels, although in the midst of them, I sometimes doubted His ways and was blinded to how He was working.

I see how God knew the things that were to come and how we had no clue about it, and how He pre-arranged to meet needs that we didn’t know we would have.

I see how He showered me with His grace that overflowed in abundance; mercy when I messed up; and blessings, that I didn’t deserve.

I could sit and share with you lots of stories and write thousands of words about what 2012 held. It brings me to my knees but also keeps me in awe. However, when I lump them all together into one big mental picture, there is one thing that shines through loud and clear.

God was there – all the time. In every circumstance, He was at work. He always had a plan. And He was always right. And He was, is, and always will be. And my heart learned to be filled with gratitude.

This month of January, I have been intentionally focused on thanking God for all He has done, and thanking Him in advance for all He will do this year. I have thanked Him for the good experiences I enjoyed, and the bad times that I did not enjoy one bit, yet at the same time, I realize that it is those very things that brought me closer to Him.

Many days I try to be more intentional about counting my blessings one by one, I get overwhelmed and realized that they are infinite, and I can never praise Him enough. I want God to know that I don’t take His blessings for granted!

Today as I read my Jesus Calling devotion, my thoughts were summed up perfectly. Sarah Young wrote, “When you thank me for the many pleasures I provide, you affirm that I am God, from whom all blessings flow. When adversity strikes and you thank Me anyway, your trust in My sovereignty is a showpiece in invisible realms. Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise and thanksgiving. This joyous discipline will help you live in the intimacy of My Presence.”

His Presence is where I want to live every moment of my life. It is in His Presence that I find strength and hope. It is where I find Joy and answers to life’s many questions. But it is also where I find Peace just knowing He is a big God and He has got this life that I breathe every day.

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{Update on our family.}

When it comes to Praising God for all that He has done, we first begin with Kevin.

We have seen the most progress of healing in the last month. Kevin’s strength and stamina has increased ten-fold. His joking personality has returned with more vibrance!

The neuropathy in his hands and feet is still present in his hands and feet, but since he has started back to work after Christmas it seems to be better able to manage. He says, it is still there, but when you have distractions around you, you don’t focus on it as much. {Kinda like a lot of things in life, you know?}

This past weekend our family traveled to Gainesville, Florida for a horse show our oldest daughter was participating in. It was a good test to his endurance. He did great!

We had many laughs and memories that were made this weekend.

We tend to do that more in 2013…laugh, giggle and enjoy each other. It seems appropriate after a tough end of 2012.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. As you comment on the blog, send us notes, messages through Facebook or even speak while passing in the grocery store, we are overwhelmed with the body of Christ and the outpouring of love and prayers for our family. We give Him the glory and honor each day for the small miracles and the big.