Photobucket
Photobucket" /> Photobucket" /> Photobucket" /> Photobucket" />" />

Welcome

Welcome to my little corner of the world. I am so honored by your visit today. My name is Kristi and I am married to my college sweetheart(I refer to him here as "Mr. Incredible"), momma to my 2 beautiful girls who are growing much too quickly, a high school computer teacher, photographer, and a gardener (at times~right now I'm growing weeds). I love to laugh, drink strong Starbucks coffee, take pictures, and be anywhere my family is. Jesus is my Savior and I try so hard to be the wife and momma that He has called me to be. I often fail but He lovingly picks me up, dusts me off, and encourages me that with Him all things are possible. Feel free to join me on this journey of faith, stop in and say hello, look around, and leave a comment~I love comments. Why "Kiki's Corner?" My nephews call me Aunt Kiki and I love that too.

2009-A Year to be Held in the Palm of His Hand

I've tried to write this post all day...but every time I try to write it the tears just flow. So, instead I have baked and cleaned, and done laundry, and visited so many of your amazing blogs. But, it is time to write....time to somehow recap all that God has done for us this year...and I am so afraid that I will fail at my futile attempts to write His story.

You see, I want to tell you about His great faithfulness to our family...but I hope you have already seen that in most of my posts for this year.

I want to tell you that there is no way I could have survived this last year without Him...but I hope that you have seen that too!

I want you to know that in the deepest, darkest, most awful place of my heart and in Rachel's pain this year...that I found Him to be all-sufficient...but I hope that you have seen that in my posts already too.

I want you to know....I need you to know....that I am so grateful for how He has intervened and gone before us...He could have chosen a different path, a different outcome, but in all of His marvelous mercy and grace....He chose to heal our daughter completely...and as I sob through that last sentence, my voice shouts praise and thanksgiving to the One who did what only He could have done! And I will never stop thanking Him....for His unmerited favor, for His mercy, for His grace, and for this amazing journey of faith. It certainly wasn't deserved; it was all Him!

I want you to know that your love and support for our family has been so gratefully appreciated. There were many days that I felt like I was holding on by a small string...and you were there. God has heard my many prayers of thanksgiving for all of you....I hope that you have heard them too.

I also want you to know that even during our dark, uncertain days, even during the impending days of brain surgery, there were days filled with joy and laughter....I hope that you have seen that too.

Tomorrow will mark the one year anniversary to our trip to the ER with Rachel and the journey that seemed to begin on that very day. I'll never forget the agony of hearing the diagnosis last January 4th, and trying to figure out all that Arnold Chiari would mean for our family. I remember so vividly pleading with the Lord in the night, "What am I going to do?" And He lovingly replied, "What is I Am going to do?"

Oh, the Great I Am, how I love Him. My love for the Lord is almost inexpressible; it is hard to put into words all that He means to me. What a year 2009 has been. It has definitely been a year to be held in the palm of His mighty hands....and even though it was one of the most difficult years our family has ever known, we are so thankful for this marvelous journey with the Lord.

Last year, I posted this video from Sermonspice.com , and it meant so much to me then, but oh how much more it means to me now, so I thought I would post it again.




None of us knows what 2010 will hold but we can be certain that we know Who holds 2010 in His mighty hands, and if we are in His hands, we are in the best place ever.

If you are still reading this, I want to bless one of you with a book that has become so dear to my heart. I have talked about this devotion book most of this year. The book is Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman. I have written all over mine, but I picked up a brand new copy last week. If you would like an opportunity to win a new copy of Streams in the Desert, please leave me a comment telling me what God has done for you this last year. We will draw the winning name on Monday, January 4th, the anniversary of the Rachel's confirmed diagnosis.

Thanks for being such a blessing to me this past year! May the Faithful One continue to bless you and keep you and to cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

10 comments:

Debbie Petras said...

What a perfect video for the new year! Kristi, praise God that Rachel is doing well. So many prayers were said on her behalf and for your family.

I have a copy of Streams in the Desert and it has been such a comfort to me too. As we go through trials, God is with us and He is good.

May 2010 be a year of blessing for you and your family.

Hugs to you,
Debbie

Melissa @ Southern Mommas said...

as always -chill bumps as I read about your walk with God this year! Hope your 2010 is wonderful and keep spreading the word of God -how miraculous :)

Karen M said...

Thank you for a truly beautiful post! Our 2009 has also had its share of trials, but God has been there beside us and has triumphed over them all. Even in the shadow of death, He is sufficient.

I also have a copy of Steams in the Desert. My copy is over 30 years old, but still blesses my heart.

May 2010 be a peaceful, restful year for both our families.

Love,
Karen M.

PS We are heading your direction tomorrow. Going to Lamesa for Christmas celebration with hubby's fam.

Tracy said...

What a beautiful, heartfelt, praise-filled post! It has been such a testimony to watch your family through this past year. What a joy to see the Lord answer the many prayers being lifted for Rachel.

What a powerful video. What a great giveaway! I just finished Streams in the Desert myself this year, too. One of the best devotional books I've EVER read.

God has done so many things for my family...probably the 2 biggest...keeping his hand upon my Dad throughout his injury and recovery and providing a full-time position for me when my husband lost his job in October. I echo the verse in your header...The Lord has indeed done great things for us and we are filled with joy...

With much anticipation for 2010,
Tracy = )

lace1070 said...

He is the great I AM! Thanks for sharing your heart and soul ~ It's so important to share the good news, the shred of hope that's always there when you trust in HIS PLAN. So glad your daughter is post brain surgery. I just had my one year anniversary myself. God it good and continues to reassure us that HE will never leave us or forsake us. My family printed my blog to a book for christmas and it was the most profound and amazing gift I have ever received. Hugs to you ~ Lace

Anonymous said...

Kristi, I am reading your blog more often these days. I am so glad to read all the many ways the Lord has been faithful to you and your family! I loved seeing the pictures of your mom and dad. I think I saw your brother, but it was only a side view. Can you post another picture of him or more Christmas pictures? They are a delight to look at. Thanks for writing yesterday. Happy New Year. To God be the Glory, always! Kasha

Barbie said...

I am so thankful for the all the Lord has done for Rachel. His faithfulness and love for her has been such a testimony as I've gotten to know you through your journey. A long time ago, I had a copy of Streams in the Dessert and lost it. I remember how it touched me, moving me to tears, often. The Lord continues to proof himself faithful to our family. One current journey is we were on the verge of foreclosure but through a series of last minute "God Encounters" our lender is now trying to work to modify our loan so that we can keep our house . Just one example of the Lord's faithfulness and love towards me this year! Blessings to you!

Lana said...

I wish I could say that God has done something wonder of a feat in my life this past year...but at the present moment, I can't think of anything particular. I hope this is not a sign that I have grown cold or indifferent.

This coming year, I plan to start reading the Bible in 90 days. I pray that it would refresh my love for the Word. I love when a Rhema word comes like turning on a lightbulb just for me to comprehend God's Word.

Thanks for the encouragement! You are a blessing!!!

Blue Creek Home said...

God has blessed my and my family in so many ways.
The decorative painting business where I had worked for 5 years was forced to close because of the economy. My husband's cases picked up considerably. I got to enjoy being at home without guilt. Thank you God.
My daughter got out of a 2 year relationship that haunted me! Thank you God.
After a debilitating surgical error during open heart surgery several years ago, a precious relative broke her dependency to prescription drugs before they took her all the way down. Thank you God.
These are just a few.
My God is an awesome God.
Love the give-away book.
Rhonda

sister sheri said...

Kristi - What an amazing video... how very true. I am amazed when I think of your year... the ups and downs and more downs and downs... and now... right where you want to be... Held in the Palm of His Hand. I'm so privileged to have seen God's hand in your family's life this year. Praise be to God!