A Prayer for 2012

Dear Heavenly Father, you have blessed me so so much. Thank you. However can I remind you of all that has gone on in the last 10 years. I feel like Jason (aka- man of my dreams) and I need a year-long "vacation" from changes if you don't mind me suggesting. Here is a quick year-by-year reminder of the roads we have taken.

Year 2000 - I met this guy Jason, a Christian wrestler who won my heart, while in a ring.



2001 - Jason asked me THE question and gave me a ring.

2002 - We said "I Do" in front of you. Our first year of marriage was amazing but amazingly hard as we were not used to so many changes so quickly.







2003 - Included a college degree, and the birth of our first son Parker. We learned that year how deep love can run.



2004 - Our little family said our first goodbye to daddy as Jason went off to attend the Army's basic training course and then firefighting training.



2005 - You gave us another blessing in the form of our Banner-boy. We also had our first Army move to Kentucky, leaving our family and friends in Texas.



2006 - Held yet another baby boy all of 9+ pounds and red hair. You gave us West. While the other two grew.



2007 - Jason's acceptance to warrant officer school and flight school had us another Army move to Alabama. Even with a big move, this was a calmer year. (Excluding the fact I had three boys under the age of four keeping me busy!)


2008 - A dark cloud year with a silver lining. Whatever calm we had in 2007, it was made up for in 2008. A year that held our fourth son, Clark, being born and all my medical scares that got me too close to death.



2009 - Was about all recovery and finishing. Jason finished up flight school and I recovered physically and wrote a book, and the kids grew bigger.

2010 - Started fresh with a move to Texas, buying our first house, and then Jason deploying to Afghanistan mid-year.


2011 - It is now the present, and I am looking into this year excited to have Jason come home this summer, but having mixed emotions about our impending move to El Paso in the fall.




2012 - Now, Can we talk about 2012? I know you tell us in Jeremiah that you have plans to prosper us and not harm us, but don't you think our family needs a year off? A year to re-group, to be a whole family of six, to not pull up or put down roots, to not have any more hospital visits (whether that be sickness or children), to have Sunday afternoons together, date nights, quiet conversations, family devotions, movie nights, big dinners, laughter, and a simple, relaxing, easy enjoyable year. I know your plans are perfect, I am just suggesting!

Don't get me wrong, I have loved every twist and turn and the unexpected things that came our way, and I have taken them and learned from them. I also tried not to dig in my heels and fight the ride we are on.

For the most part I believe most of these decisions were brought to your attention first and were bathed in prayer. Because of that you led us down roads that have enriched our lives so much.

I also completely trust you that in the end if given a choice I will have wanted to do it all over again the exact same way.

P.S. Also remember Jason deploys again for a year in 2013, so if we don't have a down year to relax and enjoy what you have given us I might be seeing you very soon, (simply from exhaustion!)

Your daughter, Lanessa