Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord

Well, it has been quite a year hasn't it? For us not one, but two fishing trips, one that had such a epic boat experience that it may go down in Miyabe history as top 10 greatest stories of all time. And the most amazing Disneyland trip that, I can already declare, will never be rivaled.

It was our hardest too, though. Landon coming early, Emerson adjusting, and me taking 7 months to feel stable.

As the years go, we become more and more indebted to our family, who has stepped in and helped us raise our children. Whether they knew it at the time or didn't, our family rallied for Josh and I this year in a big way. Just an idea..

When Landon was born, he spent a worrisome 10 days in the NICU. After I was discharged we had moved in with my parents to be closer to the hospital. We went twice a day, everyday, but still Landon was alone more than we were comfortable with. One day we found out that my mother in law had gone to see him and ended up holding him for five hours. Those five hours could have been five days I was so grateful.

On Christmas Eve my grandma collapsed. That night family from all over showed up at the ER. My parents, auntie, uncles, cousins. Christmas Day was much of the same. My grandma is home now and healing, but I'll forever be left with the family coming to her side on, arguably, the hardest day of the year to show up.

Beyond us tragedy seemed so prevalent in our community. There were many unexpected deaths and hardship. We went to too many funerals. Saw so much grief. Grieved for so many.

"When a year doesn't go as planned or desired - and yet you find yourself sustained in Christ - you learn to say with tried and true vigor; "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Not everything resets at the turning of the calendar, but we can reset our hearts daily to see with eyes of gratitude as we run towards our TRUE treasure in the new year." - Grace Chou Simons

Happy New Year friends. Whatever comes in 2017 may we say each step of the way, blessed be the name of the Lord.