It is probably an understatement to say that a lot happened in 2014 for us:
- Luella Marie was born on January 3rd
- I ended up with a hematoma from the c-section that lasted 6 months - my mom stayed at my sister's/lived on my couch for over a month to help.
- We became landlords in February and rented out our home in Sydney until the real estate market is better to sell (we had nightmare renters at first, but now have great tenants)
- We resigned from KV and have volunteered on staff at River Valley in Grand Bay. This event somewhat got lost in the craziness of my health in the summer, and some people have not realized that we made this move. While we enjoyed our time at KV and felt blessed to work alongside the staff and leadership there, we knew when God told us that we had finished what He called us to do at KV East and we needed to follow and trust Him. We began looking for a house to buy where we felt led - in the Grand Bay/Martinon area.
- I began to blog again
- I was Diagnosed with DCIS breast cancer in July
- We Bought a house in Martinon (Saint John West) in August - needs a lot of work
- I had Mastectomy surgery in August - again, my mom lived on my couch for a few weeks to help.
- I received the 'all-clear' report from the oncologist in September, and it was recommended that I have no further treatment.
- I Decided not to return to work after Mat leave
- I Started my new 'business' - Mug Half Full Designs, and attended my first three craft shows
- We Spent Christmas in Halifax with my parents.
It was a crazy year, but it wasn't the worst year of my life. Don't get me wrong, though - there were many sleepless nights, exhausted arguments, colds and sickness, and much crying from everyone. Our faith and family were stretched and tested, but God helped us to become stronger because of it. However, I am looking forward to 2015 - starting new. Starting fresh. Seeing what He has in store.
Health Wise - I have an MRI in January to check the right side and make sure everything is all clear. There are a few oncology check-ups here and there, and genetic testing in Halifax sometime in my future, as well as some physiotherapy appointments, but as long as my MRI is clear, then all is good. Reconstruction is planned for the summer, where they will be using a combination of muscle from the back of my shoulder along with an implant to rebuild that side of me. In order to do well with more surgery, I need to get healthier. So, we have invested in a (used) treadmill, and bought a juicer and a Ninja Blender (for smoothies). Darren is on board with being healthier as well, which will help motivate me.
Darren's business is continuing to expand and grow, which is good since I am not returning to work. Pretty sure this will be quite a financial balancing act for us with our budget. Our house, which needs some loving, will see some more work done, too. I am determined to get our household scheduled and organized in the weeks, and I am committed to being frugal in our spending and sticking to our budget, planning and cooking more home cooked meals, and couponing more.
My 'business' of sign painting has exceeded my expectations. We are planning to register it as a business and hopefully set up a website. While it is a small source of income for us, I find that it is also therapeutic for me and I enjoy it a lot! I already have orders to complete in the new year.
Our involvement with our church family here at River Valley is going to deepen this year as well. We are beginning a Small Church/Home Group at our house next week, and we are excited about working with the leadership and people at RVWC, and making an impact for the Kingdom. We're looking forward to being used by God, loving on people, and helping them deepen their relationship with Him.
I think beyond a doubt, I'm looking forward to focusing on our little family the most - Looking forward to settling in one spot, and to our kids making lifelong friends. Looking forward to being closer to and spending more time with family. I feel like I've missed a lot of my kids and my husband this past year, and I want to take advantage of this time given. I feel very blessed to be where I am, and with who I am with. I am in awe of the faithfulness of my husband and family to support me, and the faithfulness of my God to sustain me through everything.
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
