Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2012- Facing Fear and New Beginnings


L
ast night I spent a few hours looking through photos from 2012, reviewing the past year.  What a year 2012 was for me!  I chose some favorite photos from the past year for this post.  Just reviewing these floods me with emotions, both happy and sad, but overall I am super-grateful for the Lord's faithfulness in our family's life.

















No doubt about it, 2012 was a year of facing fear for me. First I had the glorious opportunity to face my fear of heights and go sky diving~ for real!  That was *so* fun... if I ever have opportunity to do that again, I'd jump at that chance (so to speak!).  I actually think that it'd be even more fun the second time around, now that I know what to expect.







Soon after my skydiving adventure, I was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia problem, called ventricular tachycardia.  In spite of that, I was able to continue to swim, bike and run in preparation for my first half-Ironman triathlon, scheduled for September.  This ended up being another opportunity for me to face fear as I trained because I never knew when the VTach would randomly act up.











We were blessed to vacation in Colorado as a family...







September arrived and I did successfully complete IM Branson 70.3.  I loved training for, and competing in the half-Ironman distance.











I hardly know how to finish this post.  The final 3 months of 2012 have been extremely difficult for me.  On November 20, I faced fear yet again when I was forced to make a decision to leave home with the children.  We are safe now, staying with my parents.  Can you imagine them taking so many of us in?  I can't even tell you how very, very blessed I am by my family.  So many women are left with no options; I am grateful that I did have options.

I am broken and sorrowing in ways that I simply cannot express.  I will not share details here, but we all would deeply covet your prayers as we embark on a very new (and at times terrifying) chapter of our lives.

This I do know: God has not changed.  He remains faithful, and I am choosing to look to Him and rest in His care for us.




7 comments:

  1. Susan, I have not often commented here, but I just wanted you to know that I will be praying for you all. Life takes some unexpected twists, and you are so right - God is faithful. He will never leave you. Just keep your eyes fixed on Him. And I hope that 2013 will mark the start of a bright new beginning for you all.

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  2. {{{{Susan}}}}

    {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}} {{{hug}}}

    Thinking of you and praying for you ♥

    Psalm 37:3-9

    ~Cinnamon

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  3. Susan,
    I tend to be a lurker when viewing your blog. I have thought of you often in the past few months, and now feel ashamed I didn't pray for you at those times. Forgive me for not lifting you in prayer. So, happy you had such a wonderful family to turn to.

    May the Lord be with you and your children in this New Year, and may the Lord's strength and peace be with you.

    Blessings & Christ love,
    Laura
    Psalm 31:3

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  4. Susan,
    My heart is so heavy for you right now. I am praying He will comfort each one of you and be your sustenance. He is faithful and He is good. Even when the pain is unbearable. May He be the lifter of your heads.

    With Love,
    Jenn

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  5. Dear Susan...I am so sorry you are facing these things and having to go through this!!

    May the LORD indeed guide you all and give you HIS peace and comfort. These things truly are dreadful and frightening...but, when we are the LORD's HE is in the storm and calms the seas. I am continuing to pray for you all.

    In HIS Love,
    Camille
    Isaiah 26:3-4

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  6. Susan, my sweet blogging friend. I have missed you. I have checked back over and over to see if anything is new...I will be praying for you this New Year. Our God is indeed faithful and I am thankful you are clinging to Him.

    Your sister in Christ,
    Susan

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  7. Stopping in to let you know you are not forgotten. How have things been going for you??? Praying for you all this day....

    With Love,
    Camille
    Psalm 61:1-2

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