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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Happy New Year


Welcome to all of you who stop by after reading my devotion today: "Return To Me."

My family and I are enjoying some holiday downtime together and I plan to return to regular posting this coming Monday.

In the meantime, I hope you all are enjoying this time of year. In the next few days we will spend New Year's Eve with friends and eat our traditional New Year's Day dinner of pork roast, rice and gravy, greens, black-eyed peas and cornbread. This is a meal we only eat once a year but I look forward to it all year! After that it's time to take down all the Christmas decorations and gear up to return to school and (some sense of) a normal life. With Curt out of work, normal is being redefined minute by minute.

We appreciate your continued prayers for his job search and all the offers of help that we have received in many different forms. Thank you so much and happy new year from the Whalens!! We are anticipating a great 2010 and waiting expectantly for what God is going to do in our lives. We hope you are too.
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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi!
Let me just say, I have enjoyed your blogs!

Now, let me say as a long time single mom: Learning to live financially Free" goes one step further into trust! There are great wisdoms and God centered truths, however, God blesses us all with situations and circumstances to reveal where our faith lacks.

When it comes right down to it, where He has placed us, our ability and training... we can forget and lean on those instead of The Great Provider. This was what indeed happened to me! However, as I started to let go, HE ...

One by one, things I thought I needed, left and what I needed came! With three small children and no way to provide, God steps in mightily! I might not need my house, but He provided a roof over our heads! Do you know what an incredible blessing there is in seeing! I lived seeking God first as our lives now depended on Him! - The truth is, we always depended on Him. I just lost sight of that truth! I am never in control and He always is!

My prayer for you as you enter this morning, is faith with a capitol F!

Blessings and thankfulness,
may He meet your needs exceedingly, abundantly,
in Christ Name

Unknown said...

MaryBeth,
I have always gotten a fresh start to the day with reading your devotions. I love to see how the Lord leads you to make His Word real for us.
My heart goes out to you and your family with your husband being out of work....we were in that position for all of 2008. I learned alot from God at that time and I want to encourage you that He will provide for you...we now see MANY HUGE blessings from that year and He has provided mightily. THere is something great for all of you at the end of this time.
My prayers go up for you this day and I look forward to hearing about God's answers and provisions.
Blessings to you,
Sandy

Andrea said...

Thank you, Marybeth, for that wonderful devotion today, "Return to Me," in all aspects of life! You are an excellent, gifted writer as well. Very encouraging, how you make God's Word come alive.

Praying for your family's financial situation...

Love, Andrea

mommyof2 said...

So sorry to read about the trial you and your family are going through at this time. Although, my situation and yours are not the same at this time, I have been through the trial of having my husband unemployed. It's never easy even when we know the ONE who is in charge of all things. May the LORD bless you and your husband as you are on this new journey together and may the LORD richly provide for you in HIS time.

Anonymous said...

Our God is an awesome God and He will provide. I so resonated with you blog entry of 12/18... my husband was laid-off just a week after Christmas 2 years ago... I think sometimes people in business see hard workers as things and not people and don't consider them or their families. That being said, God has been so faithful and in amazing ways and has a plan for us. I was able to spend a ton of time with my terminally ill mom before she passed away since my husband could be with our three kids. I also was there in the ER helping my dad when he almost died. God knew where I would be needed and it would not have been possible if my husband was working full-time. That being said, He will work all things for good according to His purposes for those who love Him.
He has also used this time to grow up in ways we wouldn't have otherwise.
May God bless and keep your family.
Proverbs 3:5,6

Unknown said...

God Bless you & your family! It is a great comfort to know that God is in control & we are not alone in these financial changes in our world. My husband was laid off from his job of 36 years & we are about to put our house on the market. You & your family will be in my prayers! 0:)

Many Blessings for 2010 & a new job for your husband!
Luanne

Lutiemom said...

Hi Mary Beth,
Last year began a great year of growing in my faith through blogging. I know that sounds funny but it's true.
Last January, I posted my New Year's verse, giving credit to you, as the one who inspired me.

This year, I have two verses to claim for the new coming year. First is Eph 3:20-21 " Now to Him who is able to do abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, Amen."

The second is Heb 10:24, "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works and let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, bt encourage one another, especially now that the day of His returen is drawing near."

I look forward to reading your verse for this year.

Love ya,
Nancy

Rossie said...

Praying your New Year is one of many new and exciting adventures! That you will be able to look back at the end of next year and see how God held you and guided you into His full will!
Thankyou for all you share...we are expecting #6, a not so normal thing these days and it is wonderful to read all your beautiful words of your life with a full house!
Blessings, Rossie

amy in peru said...

Hey Marybeth,

Is that a new picture? It's awesome!

Your dinner plans sound DELICIOUS. I hope all your plans went well!
I'm really sorry to hear about your husband's loss of a job, I'm sure that wasn't planned... of course it didn't take God by surprise! God knows what He is doing! Keep looking UP!

I very much enjoy reading your blog! Keep up the good work.

I have an entry on our unique New Year's Eve celebration, Peruvian style... come on over and read it!
I'm going to try to exercise my writing muscles in this coming year and see where the Lord takes it.

Thanks for the inspiration!
Amy in Peru

http://apilgrimsproject.blogspot.com
http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I am just now getting to your devotion in my inbox after being out of town. THANK YOU for such a beautiful reminder of the gospel. I will be passing your devo on to friends. Blessings to you!