Another Year to Come.

It is so hard to believe that 2013 will be over in a few hours. It seems to me that this year truly flew by, faster than most of the years past.

This year we celebrated the birth of our fifth child, Gloria, by home birth. It was the most amazing experience ever. I have given birth naturally before but never at home. I am so grateful to have been able to do so for so many reasons. Most of all I am grateful God kept us both healthy and made this possible after the doctors gave me little to no hope after having two cesareans. God is WONDERFUL. Gloria is a healthy 9 month old full of joy. Our home wouldn't be complete with out her!

We also celebrated Dominick's milestones and the fact that his congenital heart defect/disease has not changed (yes it didn't improve) but has stayed steady for over 6 months now and he is finally off his heart medications! God be praised.

We continue on our journey with homeschooling, going into what will be our sixth year come August 2014. It is hard to believe we have made it this far.

Our children are growing fast. Our oldest will be 11 and he is growing up to be a wonderful man. Our daughter will be 9 and I couldn't ask for a more wonderful daughter. She will grow up to be a Godly woman. I am blessed. Drake keeps our lives filled with excitement.  What a privileged blessing to watch the world through the eyes of a child!

During this tough economic times when we had to see so many friends and loved ones struggle God has blessed us abundantly. Not only with steady work (husband just signed his re enlistment) but with love to share, the ability to help when needed, our love as a family and close and cherished friends to share life with.

We truly are blessed!

I hope 2014 brings you joy that comes from knowing, loving and serving our Lord. I hope you have good health: mind, body and soul. I hope you have plenty and pray for those who do not. Most of all I hope you hold on tight and cherish the ones God entrusted you to love. We have so much to be grateful for, I hope your 2014 is filled with love, laughter, joy and hope.

Happy new year! May Christ truly bless you!

Patti Maguire Armstrong: How Can I Forgive When I Can’t Forget?

Patti Maguire Armstrong: How Can I Forgive When I Can’t Forget?:   While many people believe forgetting an injury is part of forgiveness, Fr. Justin Waltz, pastor of St. Leo's Churc...

On New Year's Resolution........

Okay, so to be honest, I don't much care for making New Year resolutions. My thoughts on the resolutions are that I much rather set goals I would like to accomplish during the year, break them into small steps needed to attain them and at the end of the year review where we stand with regards to these goals. In our family we have individual goals AND family goals.

I believe having both helps each of us to keep in mind ultimately we all must work to better ourselves within the confine of our family. We don't want to forget that families are the building block of society, as the family goes, so does society. We should keep that at the forefront of everything we do. Before I can demand for a change in government, I must realize that the change must start within us. I cannot demand that which I am, myself, not willing to give.

This year as we sat around the table to share our goals, my husband and I marveled at the children's tenacity in knowing the areas that needed improvement as well as setting goals to help the family. In moments like these we praise God for helping us in the raising our children. We often face criticism from family, friends and strangers alike. Comments can cut deep in our hearts, make us question wether our choices are right. Often the individuals criticizing forget we are people too. The only comfort we find comes from knowing our life is supposed to be lived in a way to honor God. So as we sit and make our goals, watching the end of another homeschooling year draw near, we are gently reminded that our goals should be focused more on character training, allowing the children to fully know God, and although academics are important, they should NOT be a priority over that which belongs to God. What would it profit this family, or society for that matter, for us to raise academically sound but God ignorant children?

So as you sit down to envision your upcoming year, I urge you to look at the WHOLE picture. Parents we must keep our eyes and hearts truly on those things that will be good for eternity, regardless of what the rest of the world may think. We must be followers of Christ in all we do, say and think, so our lives reflect the glory attributed to God. This is not a Sunday or Holy day of obligation only kind of thing, it must be lived everyday. Trust me it is a struggle, I fail Him daily! I am grateful for His mercy and grace. I urge you to not give in, don't give up. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called! As you set your goals for your family, I leave you with this prayer, which is part of my goals for this year. May God bless you abundantly!

A Thanksgiving Prayers by Samuel F. Pugh

Oh, God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me remember the jobless;
When I have a warm home, help me remember the homeless;
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer;
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted.

"For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me....." Matthew 25:35