Family

The skit in Sunday's service got me thinking about my family. Isn't family great? I have been blessed with an awesome family. Not just great parents and siblings, but awesome aunts, uncles, and cousins. Every holiday, my entire family gets together. We all gather in one household to celebrate together. There are about 30 people - ranging in age from 20 months to 82 years old- coming together. A family get together like that can usually spell chaos and disaster. Maybe to outsiders, it looks like a bunch of chaos, but there is nothing in this world I love more than gathering with my family. My parents and my aunt & uncle have done a phenomonel job of creating a family centered on God, laughter, and definately the importance of good food.

During this Christmas season, I wanted to take a chance and blog about the blessing family has been in my life. Without such a tight-knit family, adversity would be much tougher to get through, but it has never failed that when adversity comes, that everyone in my family is ready to support each other. Over the past 4 years, we have faced a lot of adversity with dad. Going through the process of Alzheimer's has not been easy on anyone. Without family, things would have been nearly impossible. With family, we have gotten through. With the passing of dad in August, family has gathered around mom to support her. God has blessed me with a family that is amazing! We certainly aren't perfect, but in each of my family members I can see a servant's heart. What a blessing!

If nothing else, it is on account of mom, dad, Aunt Charlene, and Uncle Larry that God's heart shows through. Mom has always been the tough one in our family. She has always held it all together and always stressed the importance of getting through things together. Thank you mom! Without your strength and values, our family would not have grown into what it is today. I am truly thankful to God for blessing me with such an awesome family and nothing like the Christmas season can remind me of this more.