The above picture was taken around 6am Christmas morning at my parents’ home. Isn’t it gorgeous? I adore sunrises and sunsets and love how in a picture they are indistinguishable from one another. I think it is God’s way of reminding us that He is constant and never changing. No matter how bad the day, the beginning and the end mirror each other in beauty. In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation and created the heavens. They will all disappear and wear out like clothes. You change them as you would a coat, but you last forever. You are always the same years cannot change you. Psalm 102:25-27 I need this reminder right now. Despite being medicated and blessed beyond measure, I am in a bit of a funk that I’m struggling to shake.
I do not have a crystal ball, but I can make some pretty educated guesses on what is in store for me in 2010. This year my father will lose his two year battle with Stage IV malignant melanoma and will die. This year my husband and I will be living off of our savings due to a major decrease in financial giving (hubby’s salary is based on the financial gifts of others and times are tough all around). This year my husband will more than likely lose his job all together. This year we may have to sell the house in order to survive. This year holds many challenges…
Fortunately for me (and all who have to deal with me), I get to start this year with love, a new beginning, a wedding! An acquaintance, turned friend, asked me to help her with her wedding invitations. From there, I basically hijacked her wedding and deemed myself “wedding coordinator”. Her budget is small and her guests many so the creative challenge has been a blast. With her permission (which I don’t have yet), I’ll be sharing the details of her big day with you soon! In the meantime, here are some sneak peak pics.
We will be using lots of scrapbook paper, ribbon, and candles with touches of white hydrangeas. It’s going to be thrifty yet gorgeous, and I am so ready to make a church gym look magical!
She is amazed that I am so happy to be freely taking on this job. I am so very grateful for the distraction.
More to come soon….
Beth- keeping all you will face in the coming year in my prayers…… keep finding the beauty that you see in each day…
I am sorry that this year looks like it will hold many challenges for you! You and your family will be in my thoughts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you! As I read your post, I got tears in my eyes for you and your family. My dad died of cancer 8 years ago and I still miss him. If you ever sell anything or want to promote your blog via somedaycrafts.blogspot.com, let me know. Guest post, giveaway, whatever to help your family, I would be honored to assist you!
Dear Beth, I came by to wish you a Happy New Year I just love reading your blog…
I am so sorry that you are going through a rough patch right now !!!
I too offer my prayers….
I am a melanoma survivor, stage IV….since 1991…I have no answers to why I am still here. My heart just aches when I read something like this…
God Bless,
Kathy 🙂
Beth – keep your chin up and heart afloat on faith! Your thoughts caused me to reflect on what to expect this year too, and wow! – faith, hope and love are so important, and will be especially crucial for 2010. You are in my prayers!
Beth —
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I will keep you in my prayers. I hope that 2010 will bring you unexpected joys and blessings.
I love the colors you are going with for your friends wedding. So pretty!
XXOXO
Jen
I almost feel as if I'm eavesdropping since I am new to this beautiful blog. Your comments are full of such love and support though, I am certain you would not mind a newbie offering prayers as well.
May 2010 go easier than expected.
Sincerely, Em
(Stopping in from SiTS to welcome you to the gang. I will be back.)
To be blessed beyond measure in the midst of difficult circumstances you may find yourself in….besides the Word of God I HIGHLY recommend an old book by Amy Carmichael called Gold by Moonlight…. for the treasures found only in darkness and times of struggle. It has sustained me and brought blessing to my heart and mind and cause me to be able to praise and trust God in a fresh way. Find it on Amazon. Take care and God bless, Toni
Beth I am so sorry. I had no idea you were dealing with such hardships right now and my prayers go out to you and your family. My father is very ill right now as well so believe me I understand how hard this is.
Many prayers and blessings to you in 2010. It will work out for you all. I just know it in my heart.
~Warmly, ~Melissa
Beth
I am so sorry you have so much to try and balance on your tray of life for this year. I do not understand why God chooses to do things the way He does and in many situations I am sure I will not understand until I get to Heaven.
I do know that sometimes the greatest burdens and deepest sorrows take us down a path we never anticipated that can bring great joy. The joy does not replace the sorrow it is just the sorrow is the groundwork that had to be laid for the joy to be able to sprout.
Cheri
I love you and I know you will make it through! 2009 was a rough year in our house. If 2010 brings the same challenges to yours – just remember this. One – God always provides. Two – It is easier to find what God provides if you work hard and concentrate hard to find it! 🙂
2010 sounds like it's going to hold a lot of challenges for you…just remember that our Lord will sustain you and provide your every need through it all. Plus you have all of us bloggy friends to help you through it too!
May you be blessed beyond measure in 2010!
Love, Grace
First of all, I adore Jessie (whoever she is) because she hit every nail on the head.
I'd like to add one:
Wait. Hope. Expect. Psalm 27:14
He will take you where you're meant to go. Meanwhile, we've got your back, kiddo.
Happy New Year!
My heart is breaking for you right now. I am sure you wrote this with a heavy heart and I am sorry that you are already anticipating these sad events. I will pray for you and your family. If your husband loses his job just remember you can replace a house, replace things and he WILL find another job. Spend lots of time with your dad. Interview him, videotape your talks and think about what you will want to ask him in ten years and ask him now. My prayer is that God will place His loving arms around yall and carry you through this year. What a blessing to have the wedding…it will definitely distract you and give you an outlet. Blessings…
hang in there! even though we've never met, you aren't alone. i'm here in stl reading along and sending up some prayers along the way.
Beth, I will put you in my prayers right away! This is alot to be facing in this New Year, but the blessings you will receive I know, will carry you through! I lost my dad to lung cancer and that loss has been devestating, but I can look back on all of our wonderful, wonderful memories and smile…..
Keeping you close…
Lou Cinda
wow! that's a lot of stuff going on, I hope the kindness you put out into the world comes back to you.
I wish I had words that would aid and comfort you as you look toward this new year coming and are anticipating some sad events. Having been through some of those events in my life, I know they are stressful and depressing. I hope you surround yourself with family and friends who can just be there for you, as these are the real helps you will need to get through the coming year. May God be a great comfort to you!
Beth- you hang in there. My husband lost his job earlier this year and we did have to live off our savings for almost 5 months. Somehow I think the tough times can bring a family closer together. Probably not what you want to hear right now. I am so sorry about your dad. I dread the day when I lose a parent. Try to make these days count!
My dad died 22 years ago from malignant melanoma, at the young age of 57. A life too short for all of us. I miss him still. He tried everything available at the time at Sloan Kettering in NY, clinical trials even. I'm sorry they still haven't found the right drug to stop it. My 22 year old daughter's friend, her father just died in early December from it also. I pray they have a breakthrough and find a cure. In the meantime, get checked twice a year my friend. I'm praying for you.
I will be praying for you as well, Beth. I do hope that 2010 will hold some wonderful things for you besides what you predict. I know it's not much help, but just take each day as it comes. Helping plan this wedding may just be something that opens a new door or window for you.
Again it must be said…this is why I love blogging. I post my thoughts and get comfort, encouragement, and support in less than 12 hours. Thank you for all of your on and off air comments. Your prayers and thoughts are deeply appreciated as I surrender to whatever comes this year.
Your encouragements have reminded me that even when I feel out of control, I am still in control–and can still choose–how I will react to my circumstances.
Psalm 22:24
For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one;he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 6:19-34
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
May the Lord be with you and your family during this time. I will be praying for you and your family. The wedding plans look beautiful. I can't wait to see the rest.
Wow – that is a lot to deal with all at the same time. I'll be praying for you and your family to have wisdom during all the changes to come. May God give you an abundance of His comfort and peace right now.
p.s. So curious to see what you'll be creating for the wedding – I know it will be beautiful!
That is an AMAZING photo! I can't believe some people actually get to wake up to that! So awesome!
Almost as awesome as our God, who knows the number of the hairs on our heads…just because. Changes…good or bad, bring chaos. You know He's with you through it all…keep hanging onto His hand!
The picture given in the post is drop dead gorgeous, really adorable. Even your blog is so touching, i was really moved after reading it. It is wholly realistic rather than any fake stories and that is what i liked in this post.Hope life is treating you kindly and I'm sending best wishes for u.
r4 dsi
Hey there friend!
I'm a follower of yours, and we haven't actually been "introduced". But I came across this post tonight and just HAD to say something!
Reading your post, I can SO relate, at least to the job thing. My story is a tad different, though-3 days after giving birth, we found out that my Husband lost his job. It was horrible, expecially with my hormones being all wacky!
I learned throughout this experience that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. It didn't matter if we lost our house; it didn't matter if my Husband didn't find a job-nothing compares to the glory of the cross! I kept reminding myself-
"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Philippians 3:8-9
God is SO darn good!
Hang in there-He's the vine, we're the branches, and boy, does the pruning HURT!
But also consider 2 Timothy 2:10, For the sake of the elect–
"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory."
Praying for you and am so excited to see how God's going to work in your life this upcoming year!
Oh my… not the best outlook.
Sounds like you have the right idea. Get busy doing something you love plus helping another in need. It's my belief and experience that with that combination, God always rewards.
Hang in there and look ahead with confidence, girl. I'll be watching your story with hopes that things lean on the positive.
Donna
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! ~Lisa
Beth, you always brighten my day when I visit 🙂 so it will be a pleasure to be a prayer warrior for you and your family. Dying is easy, it's the living that's tough. But for those that walk with the King, He comforts in ways we don't even realize. When a door closes, He always opens a window 🙂 Know this and look for it. Look forward to seeing pics of the wedding!! and do keep us posted with your father and your sweet husband.
Looks like you might have some struggles coming up. You have the Lord on your side though and He will always be there to lean on. You and your family are in my prayers.
Looks like you might have some struggles coming up. You have the Lord on your side though and He will always be there to lean on. You and your family are in my prayers.
I hope that things will work out for you in whatever way that they transpire. Take care and keep the faith, Beth. All good wishes- Sue
i cannot find any words to convey my thoughts…sending prayers…and ((hugs))((hugs)) and more ((hugs)).
….looking forward to seeing all you creative plans for your friend's wedding!
xo
Oh Beth, please know that your sweet family will be in my prayers. God provides. He sustains. Thankfully, he has it planned. Even if it is beyond our understanding. I will pray for your strength in these times of struggle.
Thank you for sharing your burden.
XO*Tricia
P.S. What beautiful decorations for the wedding, and what a fun distraction. 😉
I wish you strength during this year, 2009 my husband lost his job and there is not one in sight. We have gone through almost all of our savings so I completely understand.
Congratulations on the wedding.
remember if he leads you to it. he will lead you through it!!! He never givs you more than he thinks you can handle. I am praying for you and your family.
we are trying to figure out what 2010 has in store for us also… my father-in-law is losing his battle with stage 4 cancer. on the bright side, my husband had the opportunity to lead him to christ on christmas day! many other things that also mirror your comments but i don't have permission of those involved to print. (btw, your dad's blog has been a great resource during this time). prayers for your family in the coming year.
You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers right now, hoping for the best in this situation. Only God knows.
<3
Rachelle
Oh friend – I will be praying for you as you head into this year of uncertainty. I know when I have put out my needs on my blog, I know that my readers have lifted me up in prayer. And I know that sometimes those prayers are the only thing that got me through certain situations. The Lord holds you in the palm of his hand and will not let you go. He is steadfast.
I'm excited to see what you do with your friends wedding! Oh how I love all things wedding related! We had a big DIY wedding – lots of guests, little budget – and we used lots of scrapbook paper. 🙂 I'm so excited to see what you'll do!! It's looking gorgeous already! Here is agreat website that I used to help me in my creating – http://forums.weddingbells.ca/ubbthreads.php . There is a DIY thread – soooo amazing the talent and ideas. You might find something there too. K, long enough comment. 🙂
You hang in there. We never know what God has in store for us until it happens. Take care.