Seems life is always a bit crazy in the Bedard household. This year held many ups and downs for our family. I have spent the last few days thinking back on the year and what I thought would happen and then to what actually happened. Life always has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? I went back to my old blog and read my entry of what I expected in 2008, and many things remain true of how I feel about starting into 2009.
I cannot believe that we now have 5 children. While there is still much uncertainty regarding Faith and how long she will be here, I will always love her as my child. Her smile warms my heart. It was an emotional day, when we got the phonecall that she would be arriving at our house. Our service dog Milo left our home the same day, just hours before. My heart broke and overflowed on the same day, it was stretching to say the least.
2008 was exciting for us as far as the children are concerned. They all are doing so well. Logan is in Grade 2 this year, and is doing very well. Abby is having a much better year in grade 1 than her SK year. Her teacher is fantastic. Justus started preschool this fall and he is loving it. He has been a great big brother! Emma is doing well. She is as petite as ever, but she’s mighty in other ways. She is fierce! Don’t get between her and the food…it may not be a good thing for you! Faith is such a wonderful addition. She is at the stage where she gains new skills everyday. I love to watch her figure things out. She’s one smart cookie, she’ll learn quickly from her siblings!
Steve had a great year too. They made his book “Unmasking the Pagan Christ” into a documentary that is to be aired close to Easter on CBC. He flew to Vancouver twice for his Arrow experience, both times coming home with new insights and a renewed sense of calling. The churches are doing well. A highlight would be the 1 ton challenge for the foodbank that Meaford took on, which then expanded to most of the churches in our small town. It is awesome to see how much our little church brings in! I believe at last count we were 70% of the way to our goal in less than half the time we allowed ourselves. I can’t wait to see what the numbers will be come next August! He ended the year by applying to do a Doctor of Theology. I’m so proud of him.
The year did hold much change for me. My word of the year has seemed to be “morph” and it’s so true of what has happened this year. I feel as though I have morphed many times into a better person. I have been on an emotional journey. But what I find most amazing in it all, is the sense of peace that I spoke about this day 1 year ago, is the same peace I feel today. I had to deal with many things in my past, difficult things. Things I needed to overcome and grow stronger as an individual to get through. In November I made my final morph of 2008. For many years I have sensed a calling to go into the ministry, but always had an excuse for not following through, my biggest that I had never completed high school. I finally made the arrangements to write my high school equivalency exam (in just two weeks time now). I have also been doing research into what some options would be for me as far as further education. Once I have completed and passed my exams, I will be applying to university to do a Bachelor of Theology. This was such a huge decision for me, but I could no longer push aside my calling. I am not 100% sure what exactly I will be doing once I have graduated, but I believe that God will reveal that to me when the time is right. I hope to major in Community Ministry.
As we enter into 2009 I believe that God still has great things in store for us. We have felt his blessing tremendously over the past year. Steve and I will celebrate 9 years of marriage, and will be travelling to Vancouver for his final week at Arrow. I get to spend some time with my brother while I’m there, which I am totally stoked about! I have learned not to promise that we won’t get another kid as God always seems to bless us with another when I do!!! At this point it’s safe to say, it isn’t in the plans!
My prayer for you this year is that God will be with you, that He will grant you peace. May you find comfort in Him at times of trouble and remember to thank Him when times are at their best. All the best to you and yours.
