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Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 In Review...

2015 has come to a close.
I really can't believe it's over!
Our family is truly blessed.
I am halfway through my fourth term at WGU and am planning to graduate either in the winter of 2017 or spring of 2018.
Evan has finished his third semester at GVSU.
Nate is halfway through his freshman year in high school.
We are all buzzing along!
My baking business has slowed down a bit (by choice).  I am still taking limited orders, but with working full time outside of the home (oh, that's another story!) and going to school full time, it just doesn't leave the time for a lot of orders.  In January of 2015 we rang in the new year quietly.  I celebrated another birthday in February.  Nate had band concerts in March.  The winter came and went without much new.  In April, I attended a cookie baking conference where we learned loads about cookie decorating and even making cake pops.  It was great to meet all of the ladies I knew from our baking groups online in person.  There were ladies from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Canada.  May brought Tulip Time once again.  Nate marched with the band in the parade and also in the Memorial Day parade.

 In June we went to Mackinac Island for a family vacation.  It was a lovely time.
July Fourth we stayed home this year due to Jamie's new job.  Oh yeah...he has a new job!  He has really  been blessed by the position he was offered and we were excited about that.  In August, we took another trip to the Island.  This time we went with my parents.  It was a lovely time.  August also brought about some challenges in our lives.  Although I have always heard and read a lot about spiritual warfare, I never knew the reality of it until this past year.  I never knew that the enemy could use people for such evil and wickedness to attack others.  We went through a real attack this past year.  I went through a period of anger, sadness, depression...and overall desperation, not eating or sleeping much.  Surrounded in prayer by our friends and family, we came through victoriously.  God was with us the whole time.  I will never fully understand why we had to endure such awfulness, but I have to believe that God has a plan in everything.  My challenge now is forgiveness.  What we went through was so awful...I know God wants me to forgive...but it's hard...and I'd appreciate your prayers.  It will take time...a lot of time...
August through October were tough...but God got us through.
On a happy note!
By October, I had been doing a lot of thinking...and decided it was time for change.
I decided to look for a new job.
Ever just KNOW that something is a "God-Thing"???
I applied online at a local company.
I was called the next day for an interview.
That day they asked me to come in for testing.
At the end of testing, I was told I was hired!
Originally, I was told that the way things worked was that I'd be hired in as a "temp" for three months and I'd have to work third shift.
I got a phone call the next day with an offer for a "direct hire" with the company on FIRST SHIFT!
Was that God or what?
It just doesn't happen like that people kept telling me!
Although I was hired in directly, for me, it's just a temporary job...two years max...until I finish my degree.  I will work here until I start my student teaching.
Pretty cool!
October was a pretty blessed month!

November we spent Thanksgiving evening with my family playing games and having desserts.  It was a great day.
December brings us to the end of the year...we had a lovely Christmas with extended family and also the four of us.
Tonight we close out 2015...
I am looking forward to 2016!
I do not make resolutions.
I tend to feel like a failure when I don't keep them, haha.
I just wake up each day and give God my best for that day...or at least I try! ;)
Wishing you and yours a very safe, healthy, and happy 2016!!!
TTFN...
Melody