2011 was a great year for our family packed full of wonderful adventures, friends, new opportunities, and even some pretty tough decisions. All-in-all, I believe it was one of my best years yet.

We started our year off on the very hard, very cold floor of our former church’s youth room after a long, fun night with 37 young people for a New Year’s Lock-in. It was Rob’s very first lock-in and I am pretty sure it was his last! Once we got the youth room back in order we headed home to shower and then right back out the door to our friends’ house for a traditional New Year’s Day meal and communion. It was a wonderful time of reflection and fellowship. Later that month, we took our youth group to downtown Shreveport to work with HUB Ministries at the Providence House. We got to PLAY with kids for a couple of hours. It was a great time and the youth that participated really enjoyed being a part of the ministry service.

In February, our family took a trip to Knoxville, Tennessee to visit with my mother. While there we drank many Mountain Dew Icees, toured Gatlinburg and drove through the Smokies. The highlight of the trip was the baptisms of my mom and our youngest daughter, Aubrey. Rob’s parents drove over from Durham, North Carolina to be a part of our special day. Even one of my best friends from middle/high school, Julie, came to witness. Later that afternoon, I ran in to my BEST, BEST friend, Lisa. Little did either of us know at that time that God was working on a part of His plan that would involve both of us later in the year. Before returning to Louisiana we stopped for two nights at my brother’s home in Georgia.

March was a breakthrough month for me. I had the privilege and honor to be a key speaker at an annual women’s conference here in Louisiana. Because of that opportunity, the Lord opened other doors for me and even helped me understand some dreams and visions for my life’s purpose. A new birth was about to take place within the next few months. During a time of prayer concerning an upcoming mission trip to Peru, God redirected my steps to my previously mentioned friend, Lisa, and a mission trip she was leading to Nicaragua the same week in August. It was completely and divinely arranged; every step ordered by God. Our oldest daughter also got on board for the trip. It was a time of expectation and excitement!

April was a little scary for our area. Several tornadoes tore through many of our communities. Our youth group got together and went out to help some of the older folks from our church and community. We also handed out complete sack lunches, Coca-Cola products, and water to families without electricity. We were all blessed by the experience even though it came about through a bad situation.

The month of May was jammed with fundraisers for summer youth trips to Buffalo River and Panama City Beach. At the end of the month, many amazing young people we have come to know and love graduated high school. Rob and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary!

In June, Rob, along with our oldest son, Kyle, and about 25 men and boys went on the annual river trip. When he returned, his parents flew in from Durham to stay with our boys while the girls and I went to Panama City Beach for the Summer Xtreme Conference hosted by First Baptist Woodstock. There were 14 girls – two adults – in our group. We had a blast and the conference blew us away!

Durning this time, the winds of change were blowing. The lack of ministry support was increasing and it seemed every good thing we did was no longer a blessing to our church but a threat. This is what happens when the enemy takes notice to what we are doing. The enemy started his initial attack in motion long before June; however, he seemed to have turned up the volume even more during this time. Ahhhh, what the enemy meant for evil; God meant for good!

July was challenging. Partly because of the heat. Mostly because of the on-going battle to stay the course. It had become very clear that our church leadership had shifted from its original vision to something new and that “new” had very little to do with us working with the youth any longer. I “knew” it deep in my soul back in March when I spoke at the women’s conference that my service to the youth ministry was about to be not over; but changed. Glory to God….this was His doing and not of man.

The first week of August was AWESOME! Kennedy and I went on a much needed mission trip to Nicaragua. As we journeyed, we discussed how this trip was very different from the others. It seemed as though this trip was as much about removing us from our situation at home and church to get a clearer prospective as it was to minister to the amazingly beautiful folks of Nicarugua. It was one of the most productive mission trips I had ever been on. God blessed me with some new eternal and life long friends. Marilla has stolen my heart! The trip was possible because of obedient Christians who listened to God’s voice and made a way for us financially. I sometimes wonder how many Christians here His voice and ignore it because it involves money….and women!

While in Nicaragua I did a lot of soul searching. Even as I served I spent almost every moment in prayer and meditation on the Word. I desperately needed God’s direction and discernment. I knew then that I did not want to return to my church. I felt that I was no longer supported or even wanted there. I know we are not supposed to go on feelings so I kept praying for a “knowing”. I also knew that it is not enough for me to not want to. God had to make that decision and He had to confirm it through my husband. During this time of seeking I had a vision of people sitting in our living room worshiping God and encouraging one another in praise and prayer. Then, I heard His still small voice within say the most simple and what has come to be the most relevant words to me; “Open up your home.” Upon hitting U.S. soil I called my husband and told him what God had revealed to me. He was not too enthusiastic. But then, the word was not yet spoken to him and he had not yet grasped the vision. Oh, but he would……Kennedy and I prayed for God to intervene if it was truly Him leading us away….

One hour after our phone conversation, Rob called me back to report that we would not be returning to our church. Though it was an uncomfortable situation, God used another man’s angry and hurtful words to move Rob to decision. Two days later, Rob sat down with the pastor to discuss our thoughts and revelations and then he resigned both of us from leadership in the church and we have not been back.

Our return flight from Nicaragua was to Knoxville so we spent a couple of days there with my mom. The three of us hiked up to Alum Cave Bluffs. Mom was the perfect trail guide. Kennedy was blown away by the scenery. I was taken back to my childhood memories of my Grandpa who had hiked the Mt. Le Conte trails over 700 times AFTER turning 60 and losing a lung! We left Knoxville and went to spend the night with my brother and his wife Michele in Georgia. Kennedy and Gary had a jam session with the guitars and they played while Kennedy sang the most beautiful version of “The Revelation Song” I had ever heard. Gary was blown away and said that Kennedy sang like an “angel”.

One week later, we opened our home. Each Thursday night our living room is filled with hungry and thirsty Christians who love and praise the Lord and encourage one another. It has been a New Testament Church experience. You know something is of God when His presence is overwhelmingly strong and people are getting delivered! We give God all the glory and praise because He has done this wonderful thing. We call it “Dinner & Devotions” and all people -young or old, male or female, saved or not – are welcome to eat and fellowship with us. And guess who generally leads the meetings? That’s right….Rob! On any given day our home is filled with young people who just want to “hang out” with us. Why us? Because Jesus first loved us…now we love others. Young people are not stupid. They know love and they know real. It is all we have ever been to them and they appreciate it.

In November, Rob took a week off to be home with the kids so I could drive to Knoxville to pick up my mom and drive her to Rochester Hills, Michigan, just between Detroit and Troy, to see my Aunt Helen and Cousin Vivian. I had only seen Vivian once in twenty years and that was at my Dad’s funeral. We made a promise then to see each other more often and not just because someone had died. I enjoyed the ride with my mom, the time reconecting with my Aunt and Cousin, and getting to meet all my second cousins! I even got to see some snow!! Upon returning to Knoxville, I went and visited another friend from high school named Angel. (aka, Heaton) Oh my, how we laughed!

We had a great Thanksgivng dinner with our friends, Toby and D, followed by a night of fellowship with our Dinner & Devotions group.

December brought excitement and frustration as Christmas quickly approached. It seems there is never enough time or money so I am glad we all love each other. We have spent our entire parental lives teaching our kids about the Gift of Jesus Christ and this Christmas was no different. Our kids did get at least one or two items on their wish lists. My mom got to go to St. Petersburg with my sister and nephew to surprise my neices. (JEALOUS!) I got to talk with my brother and Michele over the phone as well as Uncle Les and Rob’s parents. Then a few days later my cousin, Vivian, came to visit for a couple of days. She even got to participate in our Thursday night fellowship.

Tonight, we are going to two different bon-fires to celebrate New Year’s Eve. One with new friends, and the other with old friends. Both are kid-friendly or we would not go.

Yes, 2011 has been a great year. Through it all – traveling adventures, baptisms, storms, storm clean-ups, lost friendships, restored friendships, new friendships, new fellowships, family ties, and new beginnings – I know that we are blessed and because we are blessed and highly favored, 2012 will be even greater with more challenges and greater rewards.