Steve and I were recently talking about all the things we had been through this year. It has been a year of testing that is for sure. It seems like that ever that since 2001 hit we have faced one thing after the next. Yet God has sustained us and He has blessed us beyond words.

As many of you know Steve under went four surgeries this year. Soon after his first surgery his grandmother passed away. Steve was very close to her and one of the hardest things he has ever had to do was preach her funeral. Yet God anointed him and I could just picture her peering over the portals of heaven saying, "That's exactly what I wanted".

Then, we went through the strangest spell of revivals being cancelled. In four weeks time we lost eight revivals. But, God had a plan and He had a place He wanted us to be. In the end, we couldn't help but marvel at His awesome ability to take care of us.

Then, on October 23 my Dad had a stroke. Thankfully we were holding a revival nearby and I was able to spend time with him. I have watched God do a miraculous work in him. He has amazed the doctors in the way he has been recovering. We serve an awesome God and I believe He can and will give Dad a complete healing.

I also look back at the terrorist attack on September 11th. Our lives and the lives of so many others across this nation have changed forever because of it. It is hard to think though of what the lives are like for the families who never got a chance to say goodbye to friends and family. And now they have lost them forever. Yet you can't help but notice that for a brief time our country was united. There were no race barriers; there were no Democrats or Republicans. We were all just Americans ready to help, proud to be an American. Everyone was reaching out to each other.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. Well, I can truly say I am thankful I'm a Christian and that I serve a God whom never lets me down. I look at Steve's surgeries this year and I see a God that brought him through four surgeries in four months. He's still here with me, still preaching the gospel, loving me and loving God.

Even though we miss his grandmother, she is no longer suffering. She is no longer in pain but rather she is rejoicing in heaven. She is cheering us on to the day we meet her there.

God replaced the cancelled revivals with the ones He wanted us to have and they were awesome. Why were they awesome? Because we where God wanted us to be.

I couldn't help but smile at the amazement of the nurses at the hospital when they saw my Dad walk down the hall with a walker. They were saying, "I can't believe he is already up and moving around." "That is unbelievable!" With God all things are possible!

The terrorist attacks just made me increase my prayer life. When everything no longer seems normal whom can you turn except God?

This year has brought a lot of troubles, trials and tests. Yet I can say I love God more today than I ever have. Even in the darkest times He always speaks to me. Either through His Word or people. Back in May a precious pastors wife that I had never met before walked up to me and said I have a word for you from God. And she began to speak words to me about the very things I had questioned God about just three days before. That's a loving God, who knows you have reached the point that you just can't take anymore and says here let me show you my love. Let me encourage and strengthen you in a way that you will have to know it's me speaking to you. Even my love for Steve can't compare to the love I have for God.

One good thing about this year is that God has brought us some truly wonderful friends into our lives. It's always good to know that you have friends and family to hold you up in prayer. What would we all do without friends to encourage us, pray with us and rejoice with us?

Steve, Drew and Travis are the three people I'm most thankful for. After 18 years of marriage and sixteen years of being a mother I can say that being a wife and mother are the best parts of my life. So no matter what comes our way I'll keep my trust in God. Because I can't help but see how much He loves me.

Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, and make known His deeds among the people.

Psalms16: 8

Happy Thanksgiving!