GOODBYE! HELLO!

Well, in just a few hours, 2018 will be history! I’m sure all of you probably had expectations this time last year for 2018. I don’t know about you, but personally, 2018 was a rough year for me – lots of life changes, like my daughter and grandson moving out after four years and the local hospital closing which meant my beloved job ended. I could bemoan all of the things that didn’t happen – like I didn’t lose 75 pounds and my storage room hasn’t been touched! Or…..

I could be thankful for all of the things that did happen. My daughter, not only moved out – she also got a great job, got engaged, and couldn’t be happier. My grandson is in Pre-school and is learning so much. I’m so grateful for the blessings that have come their way. While losing my job was hard on our pocketbook and my ego, it has allowed me to stay home for a couple of months – do some cleaning, paint my living room, enjoy decorating and entertaining during the holidays, AND START THIS BLOG! Plus, I’ve been able to have the grandson spend the night with us a few times! Oh, the fun we’ve had!

I think of Joseph who came to the realization that being sold by his brothers as a slave, being wrongfully accused by Potipher’s wife, being jailed, etc…. was done for a reason. He said in Genesis 50:20 – “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” We tend to just see “what is right in front of us”, like we have blinders on. But, God can see all around us. He sees “the big picture,” and He knows what is best for us. I love the verse, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Heartaches and hard times can either “make you or break you!” The choice on how you handle it is yours. While I didn’t lose 75 pounds – I did lose 25! Go me! And if I hadn’t lost my job – I wouldn’t have had the time to start this blog, which I LOVE!

So, tonight as the “ball drops”, I’m ready to welcome in the New Year. God is so good! Who knows what joys He has in store for us in 2019! I’m so excited! God Bless, Courtney